The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-07-20
The Present Aspect.

" Die the leaders OF the democracy, IN all
parts Of the country, are proposing all sorts
of schemes to Obviate the consequences of
the inevitable split in the party, many sensi-
bic, honest minded men, who have for vari-
Gus reasons, hitherto, acted with them are
casting about to discover the means of re-
treat from the thraldom in which they have
been held. This remark replies with pecul-
lar force to those men who were formerly
Wings, men who are naturally conservative
in feeling, and little inclined to excitement of
any kind; but are DESTROYS of pursuing such
course as will most rebound to the welfare
Of the country.
This class Of men, especially in our sea-
board cities, and in the Northwestern States,
very generally voted against the Republican
party in 1856, then recently formed,and hard
ly consolidated.
They saw that Fremont was supported by
but half Of the States in the Union, while
his opponent was cordially sustained alike in
the North and the South they therefore
concluded that the election of the former
would precipitate those sectional divisions of
the country, SO feelinsly and forcibly depre-
Gated by the Father of his Country in his
farewell address.
How little did these men foresee what has
since transpired-the official influence of
their National candidate Frustrated in every
form, to promote the spread and perpetual
ton of an institution not merely sectional in
its character, but opposed to the laws of
God. the truths promulgated in the Dcclara-
ton Of lndependence-the immutable laws
OF Justice-the enlightenment of the age
and the happiness Of all races. They could
not foresee that the man of their choice
would prove treacherous to the most solemn
utterances in favor of an honest submission
to the people of Kansas of the question Of a
constitution under which they were to live,
and that all his energies, land all his immense
patronage would be employed by the people
of that territory constitution allowing sla-
very and making it perpetual against their
most urgent circumstances.
They did no: foresee that dishonest job
bling, corrupt contracts, and the waste of pub
lie money to promote the election of favorite
candidates, would. as they have done, become
the order Of the day. They did not dream
that the party to which they had attached
themselves from consideration of nationality.
would in less than four years become utterly
disorganized, and divided into two hostile
and envenomed factions, and sectional at
that. All this they have witnessed, and much
more calculated to disgust them with their
associates.
Is it strange that this large class of men
should come to the resolution to abandon at
once and forever the party that has so basely
betrayed them and the country
1t would be passing strange if they should
fail to come to such a resolution. But how
is the fact ? Is there satisfactory evidence
that the old Wings in Illinois, in Indiana and
in the Eastern cities are taking that course
in any considerable numbers, that patriotism
and honor require We answer there is
We have not only abundant assurances to
that effect, but numerous facts are daily &C.
curing in confederation of this view. Abra-
ham Lincoln was an old Wing, steady and
true to his principles, when in Illinois an adj
herence to such principles promised neither
honors nor emoluments.
The Wings of middle and Southern Hi.
nols have known him from the start-they
have never found him false to his country or
his friends. They have always found him
Trustworthy and rel!able-they now believe
him to be so. They are resolved to give him
their cordial support.
Tie same is true in Indiana. Not only do
the Republicans in that great State saw. tina,
there is no doubt about the result there bu,
Bright is represented as expressing the same
opinion. The Indiana delegates to the Ma
'onal Convention at Chicago, coming as they
did from the different quarters of the State,
gave the delegates there from the other