The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-01-15
A Farce--In Two Scenes.

A Farce--In Two Scenes.
On Friday of last week the annual farce of
"a DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTION"
was performed to a small but appreciative
audience, at Concord, N. H., by an anti-war,
anti-administration, pro-slavery, copperhead
troupe, styling themselves the true blue
dyed-in-the democracy. The most prom
inent actor in the temporary organization,
was Edmund Burke, who formerly edited the
Concord Standard, a traitorous sheet, sup
ported mostly by contributions from southern
politicians. This paper the New Hampshire
soldiers suppressed soon after the war COM
menced on account of the numerous false
hoods it persisted in telling about them, and
for the disloyal sentiments it weekly vomited
forth. On coming upon the stage Mr.. Burke
said he didn't intend to make speech, and
so he didn't. He was assisted in his arduous
duties by Joseph B. Batcheider who publish
es paper at Laconia,o of which sheet We need
only say i; is true follower in the wake Of the
Patriot and Daily Union, and a sheet which
Thus far has n&ver uttered word to encour-
age men to 60 forth and help crush out this
rebellion, but on the contrary has used what
little influence it has to strengthen the hands
of the rebels. About noon a committee on
resolutions and State central committee
were announced. Here ended the first scene
and we drop the curtain.
| About half past one the curtain rose, and
the second scene If the farce commenced
with the announcement that VIM. H. Dun
can, of Hanover, would act as permanent man.
ager Of the concern. The performers in the
afternoon consisted of one person from each
county in the state to- be called vice presidents
They were invited by the manager to show
themselves upon the stage; but few came fol
ward however; tie others probably not having
sufficiently committed the parts which they
were expected to act. The manager, Mr.
Duncan, made lengthy speech, i'll which he
took occasion to charge upon the admins
tratson all the trouble in which the country
is now involved entering his protest against
every move which the government has made
to quell the rebellion, and closing with say
Ing, in very pathetic and heart touching
manner, that upon the success of the Demo
cratic party in the coming election, " Gentle
men, our own liberties, the liberties of oul
children and the liberties of coming genera
atoms may depend. y
The actors and audience next proceeded t
vote for a candidate for governor TO be de
teated next March, and f. w. Harrington
Of Manchester, was the man. Mr.. Harring
ton is an excellent citizen, and a gentleman
but unfortunately has got into very. ver'
bad company. He will probably get his eye
open by next year and take himself out o
the hands Of his friends" as his predeces
sor, Judge Eastman, did. During the prog
ress Of the baIloting for governor the harle
quin, or clown, of the troupe, one John Ii
George, Of Concord, entertained the aud!enc
with violent TRADE OF abusive Language
against the government in general, and IT,
abolitionists in particular. During his per
F formance he became so excited that ne pull
ed off his coat, threw his arms wildly arount
and walked the stage like one possessed o
devils
After the vote for governor was declared
a dozen resolutions We're introduced which
} NAV be sumed up to mean as follows
) Resolred That this rebellion did not breal
out while a man of our choice filled the pres
dential chair.
l.esolred, That the only chance of our Sc
curing a President for the next four years
10 continue the war as long as possible, there
fore,
ReSslred, That We will do whatever We ca
~ prevent tuc government Iio!h SpetOil
closing the war.
: These resolutions having passed with som
dissenting voices, vote of thanks was ten
dered the managers, and particularly til
! clown for the natural manner in which h
: performed the fools parts, the curtain fell
| Ex-Presdent Pierce did not appear upon tn
stage, probably being busy in some othe
place building mausoleum of hearts
When such disioyal sentiments as ar
found in the speeches made, and the resolu
lions passed on that occasion, are permitte
to he published abroad. it is not at all sur
prising that the draft should be resisted i
some parts of the State where m;
Iority of the people believe that what tn
, leaders say must be true But there ar
enough patriotic men in the old Grant,
State, not only to furnish the governmer
with its proportion of soldiers for the wal
but also to take care of the 20, 200 evil-minC
ed and traitorous copperheads at home.
AFFAIRS AT MOBILE A Natchez Miss
: correspondent of the Chicago Tribune rey