Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-07-18
SPEECH OF HON. He. sTor~-
n he Democratic Oo-.- IN lON'
- IGNITION. held at Bellows
4 ais, on the I'd inst

vention approves or disapproves OF the policy
Of the Administration, in the prosecution Of
the war desire TO know whether the Com
mittee who have returned from the perform
ance Of their duty TO report resolutions for
the consideration Of this Convention, have
studiously avoided bringing this question be-
fore the Convention.
1t was on this point, Mr. President,
thought might differ with the Committee,
and perhaps with a majority Of the Conven-
ton when declined serving with the Com
mittee
For the purpose Of enabling this Conven-
ton to express an opinion upon the subject,
whether they approve or disspprovo Of the
policy Of the Government in the prosecution
of the war, as thus far developed, | move an
amendment Of the Second resolution by strik-
ing out all after the word Whereas and in
sorting the following :--"Thdt ne approve Of
The policy of the Administration in us dUo,0ed
determination 10 prosecute the tDdr for The IN
ion under the Constitution and that zoe will
lend our utmost aid IN the attainment Of that
object" move this amendment, because the
original simply resolves to sustain the Gov
eminent IN all Constitutional efforts 10 PIT
dorm the rebellion, without any expression Of
opinion as to whether efforts thus far made,
are, or are not, Constitutional.
want the opinion of this Convention on
the subject. Does the policy of the Govern
ment, as thus far developed, commend itself
to our favor, and are we willing to speak out
on this subject, and say whether we will sus-
tain or condemn its policy Can we adopt
the language of the amendment, II not,
why not Am right Or wrong in present
ing this tests
Nearly one million Of men have volunteered
ek.t. To
They are men Of all grades Of politics. They
are not coerced but have volunteered to go
forth and fight the battles Of this country I'M
der the call offs government whose avowed
object is the restoration of the Union under
the Constitution and | desire TO know
whether you and |, standing here as the rep
resentatves of the Democracy of Vermont,
in State Convention, will say to those men /:
1.-The call to which you have respond was
demanded by the crisis the Government was
right in making it; and you shall be sustain
cd in your efforts TO respond to it" My pro-
posed amendment goes thus far, and no far
thcr. 1t is not proposition to convert dem
ocrats into republicans. 1t is simply ~
usi,ion to remain Union men, to act in concert
with all other Union men in the preservation
Of our Government.
Nh President, feel deeply on this subject
! am, and have been, since the commence.
ment Of the rebellion, Union man 10 III,
core have felt that it was the duty o.
democrats and republicans to shake off party
shocklos-to cease to be influenced by party
pref udices, or party considerations and throw
them all to the four winds of heaven.
Is democratic organization paramount to
the great question Of the preservation of the
Unioni l answer emphatically, NO Is the
Union not worth preserving, unless it can be
done and still keep mp the Democratic, the
Republican, and the Abolition organizations
answer sacrifice them all at the shrine o.
the Union, if necessary. Let us have one
great organization, which shall represent the
Union sentiment of the country-which shall
aid the Government in resisting the attempts
of Southern and Northern secessionists to de-
stroy the Union, and the fanatical efforts o
Aoolitionists to convert this war into wal
of Emancipation. ! hold party in utter con
tempt when compared with the questions nov
agiiatng the country.
The Union has been the boosted heritag,
Of the Democratic party. We have claimed
to be it's benefactors. We have said that til,
unparalleled prosperity of this Government
and people was attributable to the admins
tration Of the Government upon democratic
principles we have said that it could ant
should be preserved against the Vaccination
OF ire-eaters at the South, and the fanatica
efforts Of abolitionists at the North and tina
the preservation of the American Union wa
paramount to all other considerations.
The test has now come; A rebellion VI
paralleled in history is now upon us. 1t mu
be put down under the supervision of II
Government. The administration of the Co
eminent is not one selected by the democr
Gy. Still, if the Union be saved under Il
Constitution, it must be done through the il
strumentality Of that Administration. o,
only means of sustaining the Government
crushing the rebellion is to sustain its pol
ey. This we should do unless its policy is
conflict with the Constitution, and | do n
believe any man will sustain the assertiC
that it is, unless he is prepared to adopt Il
original theory of the New York Tribune
that secession finds its apology in the Cons'
tuition itself; theory which. l believe.
now abandoned even by Mr.. Greeley himse
1t has been suggested several times in &
course of the day, and the Hon. President
his remarks asserted it, that Abolitionis
was the cause Of this rebellion. Concedc
II you please Is the gentleman opposed
the war and to the government because {
rebellion is attributable to the conduct of 4
Abolitionists? If so, why, Does he fiji
sufficient cause for the rebellion, and JUST
it on that ground Is this the opinion
fears to express on account of Fort Wa
rem :" | do not think that the conduct
the abolitonists is a justification for the
belion. Nor do believe that secession c
be justified as a constitutional right I
cause Of the rebellion is, therefore, in
judgment,an Improbable question to discui
and cannot Justify any action this Conye
ton may taketoucbng the amendment u
der consideration. whether we attribute Il
cause to Democracy, Republicsnism, Abo
tonism, or the action Of Great Britain. II
Hon. President believe, suggests the la
cause.
An apparent desertion Of the democrat
party and its principles has been attributed
me by the gentleman from Wardsboro.
! can say to him, andato the Convention, n
my amendment proposed does not Justify th
assumption. Ifto sustain the policy Of t
Government as thus far developed in reati
TO the war, is to cease to be a democrat, tn
| subject myself to that criticism, for as 10
as deem that policy constitutional, and
long as under that policy my sons, with