Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-09-04

prayed against the institution OF slavery. That
was fair in a country where free discussion was
encouraged, and where to all was granted the
right of discussing all moral questions. But
did the North ever lift a hand against slavery
They simply claimed that the accursed institu-
ton should be kept within certain limits, that
all territories of the government should be free.
The breach was made by the shareholders de
handing that the territories should be instru-
mental in its further extension. When that
question was discussed in 1860 the Democratic
party purposely divided itself to permit the cleo
ton of Lincoln and fire the Southern heart in
the conspiracy against the government. When
the rebellion broke out, President Buchanan
that ''od public functionary' asserted that the
South could not be coerced, and his cabinet in
sympathy with the traitors stole arms and
means from the North to assist the rebels in the
coming STRIFE and these are the very men who
now shout for Seymour and Blair. Was the re-
publican party to blame for this When they
sprang to arms at the call Of Fort Sumter TO
defend the Union Of these States, what party
compelled them to do all this Then came the
glorious sight when the rank and file of the
democratic party, its disloyalty dissolved for
time in the white heat Of the conflict, stood
shoulder to shoulder in the strife But where
were their leaders Then, as now, always hos
tile 10 the perpetuity of the government Where
was Horatio Seymour What word in any
sneeeh or address Of his can be found Of en-
enlargement to the Union cause He threw his
influence against the draft, to impede the action
of the Government, going to Washington to es-
tablish a law suit in regard to the constitution
atty Of the draft, meanwhile assuring his
friends, - mob Of rioters, that " he would
stop the draft -
And who sustained him. Such leading spirits
at the South as Forrest who butchered 3Do poor
disarme1 soldiers in cold blood at Fort Pillow
such rs Hampton, reconstruction acts revolu-
tionarv, unconstitutional and void Wise who
saws secession is not dead but only sleeps Val
landi sham, convicted of reasonable correspond
ence, and who owes his life to the clemency Of
Abraham Lincoln, and these are the men who
boast that they controlled the Convention that
nominated Horatio Seymour. There is net q re-
bel Of the South but what is shouting for Scy-
mour and Blair. The members Of the ku-hlux-
Khan viii every one of them vote for Seymour
and Blair.
And what Of this Blair He is the man that
wrote that memorable letter wherein be says that
tn President should disregard acts Of Congress.
He purposes rebellion. He would undo by the
bayonet what the bayonet has already done But
the country wants peace, and we have a candi-
date who say. e let us have peace, who by the
tltlitLNf MiltA AAl' ANtAA az 4'-'.4
down the.- arms before him, almost shocked the
whole north with the magu4mInity Of the terms
offered thereon IA silent but iustaud true man.
who Tel our armies on TO victory, and has shown
himself a statesman and equal 70 every position
he has been called @, ill Ask those men who
know him best and have seen him tried in every
way Ak Generals Sherman Meade or Sheri-
dan, and all those who marched under him.
They do not think him an unfit man, and they
know him we'll | am glad YOU and all Vermont
are thoroughly aroused, thatylu are not ready
to treat with traitors. Tomorrow | look to see
YOU roll up majority greater than ever before,
that will animate the hearts Of the Republicans
throughout the country, teach copperheaIs and
traitors that liberty still exists among the Green
Mountains, and show to TIE whole land that the
hreezes that float around MS are uo- freer than
the spirit vt her sons.
This spirited speech was received with hearty
ciears, after which, with fresh burst Of music
from the band, and with thrse cheers and
fearful tiger for the Republican oandilates,
the meeting liaurlcI T. was, take it all. one
of tie most notable AMI successful political dem
an.--.t.us tiat has bs.u u4i.fn Burlington for
years