Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1869-09-08
Laughing Political Philosopher.

The action of the late Democratic Conyen-
ton in Massachusetts is but another proof
that the party has no common principle, ex-
cept opposition to the Republicans. and no
national policy whatever to propose. In
Virginia and Tennessee the Democrats vote
for negro suffrage in Pennsylvania they de-
nounce it. In Ohio they demand that the
bonds shall be paid in greenbacks; in Iowa
they insist upon the strict letter of the con-
tract. In California they declare for a white
mans government, and in Massachusetts
they acauiesce in results. With the Repub-
licans they everywhere d~enounce extrava-
gance and demand economy. Indeed, what
ever may be said of the Republican party,
however justly it may be reproached for the
unworthy members who always follow sue
cess, and for such faults as may be fairly
charged upon it, it is scarcely reasonable to
suppose that the public welfare would be
promoted by the success of an opposition
which has no common principle or policy.
The Democratic candidates further Illus
trate the condition of the party. In Penn
sylvania the banner-bearer is Mr.AsA PACKER,
a gentleman of whom it is actually impossi-
bic to say anything but that he is very rich,
and belongs to the Bourbon wing of the
party. In Ohio, Mr.. PENDLEroN is a gentle
man of education and ability, an original
Secessionist, and the representative of the
repudiating policy in finance. In Massachu-
sets, Mr.. JoHN QUINCY ADAMS is q gentle
man also of education and ability, who can
not conceal his sense of the extreme comedy
of his position a laughing Republican of
yesterday, the Democratic guide, philoso-
pher, and friend of to-day. A steady Re-
publican and earnest supporter of the war.
Mr.. ADAMS differed with his party upon the
policy of reconstruction and with no re-
Gvnaf en- tho nannnarnF1a nurfu nv faith in
its doctrines, but apparently supposing that
not to approve the Republican policy is nee
essarily to become a Democrat, upon the
principle that what is not white must be
black, he suddenly makes his bow as 4" the
rising young Democratic statesman of New
England telling his followers that if they
would win the battle their arms must have
new locks, stocks, and barrels.
Mr.. ADAMS vote will probably be larger in
proportion than usual because of the prohib-
tory movement. In his speech he evaded
meeting this question fairly and the best
part of his remarks was the shrewd satire
upon the vituperative style of the temper
ance advocates. Mr.. ADAMS said that the
prohibitory law is an invasion of personal
liberty but whether it be not one of the
legitimate invasions of that liberty for the
common welfare, which is the ground upon
which its friends place its justification, he
did not say but,
"smiling, put the question by"
There is no doubt, however, that the laugh
ing Republican gave the Democratic party
very sound advice. If it would prosper it
must stop talking about its battling for hu-
man rights to a generation which has Won
the victory of human rights in the teeth of
Democratic ballots and Democratic bullets.
Ii must prove its honorable acceptance of the
- 49, ,, --a5aD 1nnnn rn1E.- Nkae
will Tighten the financial burden Of the ma
ton more speedily. 1t must eradicate it's in-
human and bloody traditions from the mem
DRY of the American people and it must
cease to attract to its support the ignorant
and the vicious. When 1t has done all these
things, and in consequence dominates cheer
full Republicans like Mr.. ADAMS, the Demo-
cratic party may reasonably expect some ia
vor from tue country .-HirPers' Weekly.