Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1866-08-31
The Philadelphia Convention.

The speculative theories of the great Phil
adelphia Convention are passing into histo
ry. Although some of its proceedings are
enveloped in mystery, enough is known to
make its objects apparent. The exclusion
of the great leading lights Of the Democratic
Vallandigham, Wood, Dean, &C..
while hundreds Of others of the same school,
holding and maintaining to the extent of
their ability, the same theories and the same
political sentiments, received the cordial en-
brace and hearty welcome, affords evidence
of the design to deceive and mislead the peo-
pie. These men were well known to be reb-
ell sympathizers during the war, hence the
necessity of Kidding the Convention of their
presence. Still they are amongst Johnson's
most hearty and willing supporters; and
none can be so blind or stupid as not to
know that the old Democratic party of 1860,
which controlled the Charleston Convention
of that year, are to be the ruling power in
this newborn johnson party. Why then
keep out the strongest and most efficient
leaders, and let in the bitterest and most OBJ
sympathies are, and hitherto have been, in
complete unison with rejected Northern
Democrats? The reason is but too plain ;
the disguise too thin to deceive an intelligent
and discerning people.
The future destinies of this nation are too
momentous to be triAed with; the character
of the next Congress is of too much conse-
quence to the people to let the elections go
by default. AT no time during the war was
there more necessity of guarding against the
wiley and subtle tricks of secession leaders,
than against the present political designs Of
the same party to get control of the nation
al government by Disgusting the issue under
the cry of Union and equal rights; while the
the real object is to defeat the proposed
amendment to the Constitution, give the
South ascendency in the general government.
and enable the States lately in rebellion. to
place the loyal, laboring masses under the
iron-heel Of oppression, beyond the protec-
ton of the federal government
If the people of the United States trust
their destinies in the hands of those who but
yesterday were fighting to destroy the gov
eminent, because they could not rule it UNI
molested; if they cast aside their friends
that have stood by and supported the gov
eminent during the bloody conflict of the
last five years, for the embrace of willing
panderers ever ready to kiss the feet OF
Southern traitors, fate awaits them more
terrible than that Of any people since the
days of Caesar. A party or class of politi-
clans that puts the loyalty of such men as
Sumner, Stevens, Fessenden, Trumbull
Washburne and Wade on level with that
of Davis, Semmes, Toombs, Thompson, Ma
son and Slidell, is absolutely unworthy the
support or confidence of any honest Ameri-
can. These are said to be the representative
men of the two extremes-both equally
wrong. If they represent the two extremes
there is this essential diflerence-the former
represent the principles of the Declaration
of Independence, "That all men are created
eaual,n SC, and hold that the Constitution
of the United States was designed to estab-
Iish Justice and secure the blessings of lib
erty;" while the latter hold that slavery and
the subordination Of one race of men to an