Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-07-18
The Democratic State Platform.

On the outside OF this paper we publish The
platform pat forth by the Democratic State Con.
vention, recently held at Burlington. We have
had the resolutions IN type for some time, but a
press OF other matter has heretofore crowded
them out. The platform is the first one fabri.
Gated for the " unterrIie1 Democracy since
the collapse OF treason and as the Democracy
Of this State, have but little to DO except u
construct platforms, it may fairly be presumed
that they have taken considerable pains IN, and
given much thought TO-, that work. II may
therefore be well, even at this late day, to pub.
lsh their platform, and call the attention Of our
readers to some Of its prominent planks.
The only propositions Of any significance in
these Democratic resolutions, are the decara-
ton against negro suffrage and the unqualified
endorsement Of President johnson. The oppo-
slton to negro suffrage is on general principles
and irrespective OF constitutional difficulties
and springs purely from party bate and party
policy. The party is thoroughly aware that
The only hope Of it, ever recovering any Of It's
old supremacy in the Union lies in the restora-
ton to power at the South OF its former polti-
cal associates, who have been IN rebellion against
the Government for the last four years; and 1t
is naturally exceedingly grateful to Presiden.
johnson Tor 80 restricting suffrage as to render
such result possible. Already the elections IN
Virginia have made it evident that the future
political control Of that State will fall into the
hands Of what there Is left OF the old Democ rat.
c party aud there is little doubt that the same
result will DO reached in the other states And
1t Is IN the prospect Of such conclusion from
the work Of reconstruction, as at present going
on, that our Vermont Democrats, rs well as the
politicians OF that persuasion elsewhere, take
50 much pleasure, and find 81 much cause ior
audation Of the tirmness oil President johnson
Ii is noticeable that this Democratic Convon.
IIon had not word, either good or bad to say
respecting the free future Of this country. The
fact that four millions of an enslayed race had
in the upheavsls Of the war, found their chain,
broken and become free men, elected no com
ment although the party vas pleased to sneel
at these freedmen as Ignorant negroes.
While there was any use in opposing emancipa
ton the Democracy was uniform and unrelent.
ing in its hostility to il and it now seems de-
scrmined to resist every step toward the full
eniranchIsement OF these people OF color Ye
our Vermont Democracy clamored against a
law, passed at the last session Of tho legislature
OF this State, providing that at the meeting,
ior town and municipal purposes, no foreigner
shall vote unless be be naturallzed (; and they
have again andlagain ruug the changes on the
doctrine that It was hostile to the spirit of our
institutions and the teachings Of the whole his
tory Of the republic, to tax persons who WEI,
not allowed to vote. Consistency, however, i;
not virtue Of the party, aud it is not mat
ter, therefore, of the least surprise, that tn,
party should in one breath declare that yotin.
and taxation should 90 together, aud in tn
next should express the opinion that one thir,
OF the population of the southern states, iucu
ding some of the wealthiest persons in that see
ton Of the country, should be forever excludes
from al. participation in the management Of tn
Government.