Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-05-08
PARTY OR COUNTRY.

D
over the nommes de plume Of =" Trag,ls" and
-" Traai," and regret to have to infer, from
/ his long silence, that the latter has withdrawn
| from the discussion. have looked anxious
/ ly for rejoinder from him to the last letter
Of Trax1s in your Journal Of the 2lst ult,
/ for, in my humble Judgment, The spirit, tenn
per and principles Of Trdri are the elements
which alone can rescue the government from
its tottering and dizzy peril. He urges that
there shall be a total and real reputation Of
party claims, party intrigues, party rewards,
and party tests and names, and a substitution
Of talent learning, character, manhood and man
as the true and only guides to selection, es-
pecially for our coming all important Con-
gress. In all this sincerely and cordially
agree with him; and, in my opinion, the peo-
pie Of Vermont, by large majority, are by
sl'is slime OF the like impression eDd faith
do not understand Ttari to have intend
ed or said that party should be respected in
selecting Congressman, but Just the reverse
Of that. He protests that, in erciudipg all bit
RopuJhcaHs, party IS respected and made
test. He nowhere advises the preference of a
man because be is or was a Democrat, or 'as
a Democrat as Trarus is pleased to misstate
him. But he does argue, and that with fair
HN'e "hN ibiNif AAaA iAi1N suhll nut ut fAffNtfN
because Of their democracy. He has well de-
manded that the ia Of being Republican
shall be no passport to office, neither shall the
fact Of being Democrat be deemed recon
mendation, but that neither fact shall be a
hndrauce.
7razi has nowhere SAID that one motive
with him in adopting catholic lberality was
to please those who denounced this as Lin
coins war but this was the way OF Trazus,
who seems to understand the act of putting
words into the mouth Of an adversary, and
then argue at them,-a very cheap way of
winning a cause, for then one man makes up
the case for both sides The real statement
and argument Of Tra1i was the reverse of
pleasing that class Of people. He said
Would it not 60 far to lessen the influence"
Of such men Is not that desirable and
highly honorable purpose
Not By any means to rewara loyal Demo-
crats words again coined by Irdrus, and
with like want NJ ingenuousuess imputed to
tie other side, for the sake Of easily rep ying to
them. Not for any such contemplate pur-, d,
pose. But as an irresistible proof of SINGER
iiy in those who profess to be aiming solely at
the salvation OF the government, and not at
all at the perpetuity Of political party. Is
there not some need of some such proof
Have not the people been led far and wide in
to the belief that the Heads of Administration
mean party and spoils, instead Of Goverment
Liberty and Union How does Trdrls ex-
plain the terrific maorities Of hostile votes in
all the Northern States ont OF New England
and the large minorites within New England
Why, forsooth, that the people have been mis-
led But hoy nisled? In no way except by
the artful and plausible plea that is based on
the very same partisan conduct pursued in
Vermont. and so well characterized in the let
tefs of Tran Il is fair 20 do more tnan as
sert mere generalities. Now it is no secret
that Vermont has suffered from politicians.
She has had legislation tarnished by acts yio-
lating the Constitution and the rights OF the
States, and repealed last year. after four years
of deep shame and ehagrin,- repeal tba. was
heralded in proclematian by Gen Banks all
over the Southern country, as a token Of re-
turning reason in the North
One word more, Mr.. Editor, and have
9pne. My solemn belief is that our country
will be at civil war just so long as a respec,a-
ole vesuge Of the old party organizations, and
crceds, and intrigues, is allowed 70 remain
among us. This was the opinion |, with many
OF my old whig neighbors, adopted soon after
the FIRST echoes from Sumter. 1t was in this
view that we subscribed to, and rallied under,
the following call, which went through the
State in the summer of 1861;
PEOPLES UNION MASS CONVENTION.
All good citizcns Of Vermont, who prefer the saliva
ton of the country 70 the Of any party all
friends 10 the Union. it was framed by Faith
ers who determined sustain the Government at
all hazards, in the great struggle which is making
for American liberty and who to this end. anxious
do away with all trace Of partisan difference by
enstng into common broth thood, soemuly pledged
TO stand f0rcusr, a Body Guard to the Constitution
uni ed IN its defense at home, brave boys Of all
shades Of opinion, are united shoulder shoulder
the ble 6cidAre earnestly invited TO Join with the
undersigned, in Con ention to be held at Montpelier,
on the Dist day Of August next at 10 O'Clock A N.
for the purpose Of nominating Officers OF the State and
adopting such other shall best conduce 10
the welfare Of beloved, distracted and bleeding
ny.
July 25th, 1854
This is my platform now and with it, we
can save our Government and its freedom,
with any other test, comes disunion, anarchy,
despotism. PHfLo TRANI.
TO THE PEOPLE or VERMONT.