Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-05-20
Our Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, D. c., May, 1868.

otherwise than with shame the events of the
past week, is more than can imagine. We
have been tried as few people are tried, and
our vital point has been found at last. The
country had been dipped in Stygian waters,
not even presenting vulnerable heel to the
shot and shell of the enemy. But proof
against all these dangers, she yet falls a
prey to the ambition and demagoguery of her
own chosen leaders Principles are cheap,
oaths are worthless, and all must be made
subject to the demands of personal gain or
party supremacy.
Mr.. Evarts evidently spoke whereof he
knew, when he expressed his opinion that Mr..
johnson would be acquitted. He undoubt-
edly was aware that a conspiracy was in pro-
gress, headed and fostered by disappointed
presidency seekers and jealous politicians.
What this conspiracy is and how far 1t ex-
tends, is the great question agitating the
Washington mind at present. 1t is certain
that Judge Chase is the great prime mover
in the affair, and that by his intrigues and
personal influence the whole thing has been
so far carried on, and several senators Sc
duced from their party loyalty.
THE NEW PARTY Project
The object evidently is the formation of
new party, having for it's platform the
principles of equality, taken from the Re
publicans, together with a few financial
differences from that party,-as, for instance,
free trade, specie payment and such other
Il
But the question arises, why did they take
this most inopportune time to make their
detection? Why did they not wait until
after Mr.. johnson had been convicted, and
that obstacle to reconstruction removed? 1t
would, of course, not do to even suggest
that they had anything in view but the good
of the country and their oaths, but it hardly
seems likely that these consistent opponents
of the President and persistent supporters Of
Mr. Stanton should so suddenly perceive that
they had done wrong in Mr. Stanton's case,
and had, in violation of their oaths, passed
an unconstitutional law and insisted on its
being enforced, though its unconstitutional
ity had repeatedly been brought to their
notice, unless some very powerful motive
was presented to them Such action is only
qualification. and shows that being unmind-
full of their oaths in one instance or the
other, they are far from fit to hold their
Offices. Do they then wish to shield Mr..
johnson Personally, no. But great deal
of the success OF their party hangs their
action in this case If they had voted for
the conviction of Mr.. johnson, first Ben
Wade whom they all hate and envy, would
be acting as President and greatly derange
their plans, taking from them their patron
age, on which they greatly rely secondly,
they would then have failed to gain the con-
servatives represented by Doolittle &c, and
the conservative Democrats, represented by
Hendricks, &c, on both which wings they
now depend. So you see, they have now all
these things to rely on, which would have
been lost to them by conviction.
The extent of this movement in the Sen
ate it is hard to determine as yet 1t is
certain, however, that it has made great
progress, probably enough to defeat impeach-
ment and insure Mr.. johnson his power 1t
is undoubtedly expected by the party mana
gers to unite many of the disaffected and
dissatisfied Republicans with the real John
son men and moderate Democrats Of the
North, and the conservative voters of the
South, with a great many Of the colored
people to be detached from their own ranks
/ by the influence of the names Of the char
man of the reconstruction committee and
the author of the Freedman's Bureau and
civil rights bills. Many think the Demo
Gratis and conservatives of the South could
never accept the doctrine of negro suffrage
Why not? They recognize the fact that the
Southern states are only TO be admitted on
the sole and fundamental condition that they
shall never deprive any class of citizens ofsuf-
frage. Is it then their policy to fight on this
question longer. or to accept the necessity
and seek to gain the negroes for their friends
The result then, it is expected, will be this
Mr.. johnson being suffered To remain till
the end of his term, will cease his opposition
to Congressional reconstruction, and will
use all his power to build up and support
the new party, which will embrace all the
clements mentioned above, and have for its
PLATFORM equality of all men before the law,
inviolability of the national debt free trade,
revenue reform, specie payment, &c. 1t is
supposed that Judge Chase will be nominated
for President. and he will be Gen. Grant $
greatest adversary Those Democrats who
cannot accept these principles will form a
third party, under the lead of Seymour or
some other of similar ilk.
This is true statement Of the case a.
believe it is understood here, though it may
all fail, and the party come to grief in its
very inception. 1t is very certain that many
who would otherwise be tempted to Join such
a party will be kept away from it by the
wicledness and wrong Of its foundation.
THE VICE PRESIDENCY AND RECONSTRUCTION.
Meanwhile, in the Republican party. the
triangular fight between Wade, Wilson and
Colfax, for Vice President, is going on. and
reconstruction is delayed in the Senate that
the South. which is strongly in favor of
Wilson, shall not be at the Chicago Con-
vention. The bill admitting North and
South Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia and Ala
bama has passed the House, and together
with the Arkansas bill. is now before the
to their nature, fought against the bill,
recognizing the fact that in the reconstruc-
ton of these states they lost their rallving-
cry, and found their own political death and
destruction They will then have nothing to
do. and no hope but to make as good a fight