Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-05-09
Guatcbman & STATE 5uurual.
MONTPELIER. MAY 9. 1862.
THE UNION PARTY.
BY K. P. WALTON

Hhe leaueIs, III caucus AT w ashlngton, TO re-
organize the Democratic party, and to set in
motion operations which unmistakably look
to cooperation in the North with their
former allies Of the South, when the rebel
lion shall have been crushed, (if indeed there
is not secret desire to embarass the admin
istration before that end is accomplished )
has led to the belief among loyal men Of all
parties that their true policy is united efforts
against this attempted political pro-slavery
reaction. While the old Breckenridge lead
ers Of the Democratic party are preparing to
make new concessions to slavery, and are
evincing a remarkable tenderness towards the
suothern traitors. there is a radical and ex-
treme element iE the North, which is more
or less identified with the republican party,
which is seizing upon the present opportuni-
ty to force upon the administration and upon
the country the most ultra and revolutionary
measures Between these two extreme fac
tions, President Lincoln has taken a highly
conservative and constitutional ground, and is
guiding the ship Of state with masterly skill.
1t is the duty Of the people to sustain him
and though elected as the candidate of the
republican party, he is the president Of the
people, and the republican party as party
cannot afford to exclude from their fellowship
those Of another party who are equally as
earnest and patriotic as are themselves in
sustaining the wise and statesmanlike meas
ures which he has proposed. Men Of all
parties have joined hand in hand in their eff
forts for suppressing the rebellion, and have
eyinced patriotic devotion to the country in
this crisis Of its fate they have offered their
lives and their fortunes for the public good
they have submitted with surprising alacrity
to the temporary surrender Of their personal
rights, freedom ofspeech and the press, haJeas
corpus, and whatever else seemed for the time
TO stand IN the way Of the nations honor and
the nations life.
But while so much has already been done,
there is work yet to be accomplished. Bat
ties are to be fought and victories won, not
solely by the military power, but by the civil
arm Of our government The principles on
which rest the foundation Of our Government
are menaced 6y secret foes and open enemies,
and nothing but the united action Of all 'ruly
loyal men can avert the dangers that threat
en- the perpetuity Of the Union.
With these views, we bail with satisfaction
the recent action Of the Republicans and I'm.
ion Democrats Of the New York Legislature,
in putting forth an address in favor Of sustain
ing the union Of parties which so successfully
trumphed at the last election in that State.
The address rehorses the occasion and mo-
tives which led to the union Of the parties,
and shows the necessity Of continuing it that
the country may realize all the advantages Of
the war for the suppression Of the rebellion.
1t is signed by 20 Republican members, As
who were chosen as Union Republicans, 2
Union Democrats, l straight Democrat, I'M
ion and independent Republican The
views expressed in the address on slavery and
the relations Of the war to it, are such as must
meet the approval OF candid and loyal men Of
all parties, and form the common ground on
that question on which they can stand unit
ed The following is the portion Of the ad-
dress relating to slavery;
Wha,e,er dH,renoes Of opinion may have tih-
prevailed may still prevail the central subject
Of slavery. doubt that mot the primary cause
It is the petNt aud powerful agent Of the present re1c
lion. The saychodug interest has aimed ior years TO
control the political action Of the General Goyerrment
and 20 make that action supseryient To is own aggrand
tcmenL The result ofhe Presidential election Of 1860
aided il by the efforts of oon.piruors IN hcscuh
ern States signalzed the defeat Of that eudeayor and
the disclosures Of the census of the same year proved
coucusiycy that this defeat was final The pohltta
supremacy NJ the slayCholdng interest The sway which
that interest had previously exercised over the General
Government had been forever oyerthrown To revenge
this defeat, and by force the yerdto the ballot
box, was the primary purpose of the rebellion.
That purpose has failed and the permanent welfare
and settled sentiment Of the country forbid any attempt
10 soften this failure qualify In any degree s dsas-
effect upon slavery itself The rebellion has thus
far proved fatal 10 the interest il was de'gned serve
The blows o the war which slavery invoked, have fallen
with mortal weight upon slavery itself The whole false
structure or the Institution has been shaken 10 its foun
da''on Not only have iis sway the administration
OF the National Government ard its hoi upon the re-
spect toleraon Of the country been rudey and thor
oughy brok but the local laws and usaees upon which
IL rested have been seriously affected by hc presence of
our armies and the measures Of military administration
which the emergencies Of the country have required -
However men have differed hitherto as to the power Of
Congress over slavery there l. now very niue dicrcnee
among those who have acted together in support Of the
Government 10 the practical necessities of the future
We all agree that Slavery must never again be permit
ted TO increase its power by invading free territory Or
bringing Slave States In 10 the Union hereom that
1t mast exist in the District Of Columbia, which
is under the exclusive jurisdiction Of the General Gov
ernment and that the Constitution must here after be
administered In the spirit of freedom, and for the ad-
yaneement Of these principles which our institutions
rest and not for the perpetuauon of slavery. We all
agree that Slavery, far may be OF pecunAry,
eial political value TO any individual in rebellion
against the Government, should be made to hear the
penalties which every such individual ncurs by the guilt
Of treason resistance lawful authority. And we all
agree in sustaining the wise and constitutional policy Of
President Lincoln by which. through aid extended by
initiate for the emancipation Of their slaves,
hope future aud distant day ~ be de-
liyered forever from the curse Of Slavery.
Unless the country rely upon the establishment OF
these principles the administration Of the Government,
the defeat ni the rebellion will give us neither indemnity
for the past security for tue future. We oppose,
therefore any peace which shall leave in doubt the pow
er of the General Government maintain its rightful
authority, and 70 quell any rebellion however great
and which shall leave the material ability Of this
but partially broken and subiued. Aud when the end OF
material operations shall come, oppose any terms OF
peace which shall recognize any division Of the Uni0n
any concessions the political demands Of the slayhod
ing interest OF any acknowledgment Of their claims upon
the General Government except such as are distinctly
conferred OF admitted by the Of the Constitution
When the war is closed demand freedom Of speech
and of the Press every State shall be entitled to all
the privileges and immunites Of citizens IN the several
States And while proclaim anew our solemn purpose
TO stand by the Constitution Of the United states ana "a
respect all It's provisions aud all its gunrantees, we de
maud such construction OF those provisions as sht
conform to its essential spirit and not by converting