The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-09-07
Political.
The Issue of this Campaign.

Tie people of the North are comparatively
few who appreciate in its fullest extent the
great issues of the current presidential CAM
paign. There is general Endorsement of
the principles of Republicanism. There is
general approval of the Republican candi-
dates. There is general expectation that
Lincoln and Hamlin will be elected. Beyond
this the masses hardly look but the South
sees farther than this. The South has gov
erned the United States, and not unfrequent-
y boasts of the fact, since the foundation of
the government. The rule of the country
has always been essentially the rule of the
slave power, and that power minority 1t
has clung to the largest party of the country,
anc ruled the country by ruling the party
As the slave interest mas thrived and grown
1t has become more and more domineeriug,
until it has actually split its own party into
factions, or driven it off to other organiza-
tons. The reason why the Democratic par
ty is rendered powerless by dissensions, is
because certain voices have risen in it which
declare that slavery shall not rule-that the
minority shall yield to the majority.
The question to be decided BY this cleo
ton is then as the South views it, whether a
slaveholding minority shall continue to gov
ern this country, or whether the control shall
pass into the hands of the -slaveholding
majority. They see what the nature of the
decision is likely to be, and they start the
howl of "disunion." They club together,
where they can, the forces upon which they
rely for victory. Every day shows how anx
lous they are becoming for combinations ard
fus;ons and coalitions-for any means that
Will prevent the great question from being
decided against them. Douglas, Breckin-
ridge and Bell are all recognized as friendly
to the minority interest, and as possible. a
sencies for carrying its ends. Lincoln is the
only representative of the northern and non
slaveholding majority of the country. If
power passes into his hands it passes out of
the hands CT the minority and into the hands
of the majority. If Douglas or Bell
or BreckinriLge could he elected, the slave
holding interest would rejoice. We are not
speaking of what the administration would
think. or of what certain southern politicians
would think but of what the masses of SOU
thern and slave holding people feel.
I The Sonth. through the mouth of many of
its leading politicians and journals, defies the
North TO elect Abraham Lincoln to the pres
idency. l, arrogantly declares that he shall
never tske his seat. 1t passes resolutions of
the most outrageous and insolent character
insulting to every man who dares to vote
for what they call Black Republican" To
make long matter very short and plain,they
claim the privilege of conducting the govern
ment in all the future as they have in the
past, for their own benefit and in their OWL
way. with the alternative of dissolving the
union of the states Now if the non-slave-
holding people of this county have any spirit
at all they will settle this question at once
and forever. Look at the history of the last
two administrations in which the slave inter-
est has had undisputed sway. This sway,the
most dissracefui and shameless of anything
in the history of the government, We are told
must not he thrown off else the Union will
be dissolved. Let's try it. Are We forever
to be governed 10y slave holding minority?
Will the passage of four years more of mis-
rule make it any easier for the majority to
assume its legitimate functions
+ There are many reasons why we desire to
see this experiment tried this fall If the
majority cannot rule the country without the
secession of the minority, it is time the coun-
try knew 1t. If the country can only exist
under the rule of an oligarchy. let the fact be
demonstrated at once, and let us change our
institutions. We desire to see the expert
ment tried because We wish to have the SOU
thern people who have been blinded and
cheated by the politicians, learn that "black
Republican" respects the requirements of the
constitution and will protect their interests.
/ Harmony between the two sections can nev-
er be secured until the South has learned
that the North is not its enemy but its best
! friend. We desire to see it tried, that the
whole horde Of corrupt officials at Washing
ton may be swept by the board, and some
thing of decency and purity introduced there.
We desire to see it that the government may
be restored to its original integrity and any
northern man who has not pluck enough to
stand up and help do this thing is poltroon.
1t will be tried, and our minority friends
may make up their minds to it.-.Sprlnqfeld
| Ecpublican.
, c. As Ton Sayers was recently driving
along the Holloway road. near London, the
wheel of his chaise came in contact with that
of cart, whose driver nut the whip across
Toms shoulders. This was too much for the
champion he alichted and promntlv b,ul.d