Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-09-15
POLETI6.JL P.ERTIES,

An article under the above title, which
we find in the Pennsylvania and Labor
Tribune, published at Lancaster Pa, is
worthy Of n careful reading. We cannot
fully endorse all the measures advocated,
but, in the main, the suggestions offered
indicate thoughtful examination of the i'm
portant problems that await an early solu-
ton. Because of its merit we reproduce
the article in full
There is something very mysterious to
IN ost voters about a political party. They
havea vague idea that somehow the Repub-
lican and Democratic parties are a sort of
addenda to the preamble of the Constitu-
ton, and that they some way fill gap in
the Constitution itself They are conceived
to be part and parcel Of the Government,
and that without them there would be moth
ing loft-the nation drifting at "loose ends"
without landmarks, pilot, or compass.
Hence the generally accepted notion that to
isturb either of these organizations is to
inaugurate anarchy, and tumble our whole
fabric Of government into a hopeless chaos.
These voters, stepped through and through
with the belief that these parties embrace
a II that is worth saving on the wide earth,
vote with the energy of desperation, and as
though the salvation of all free government
rested on their shoulders.
Political parties are simply representatives
Of certain opinions held by their leaders, in
relation to certain governmental policies to
be employed in carrying out the principles
of government as set forth in the Constitu-
ton. our scheme of government does not
rest on this or that party, but on the Con-
stitution Of the United States, which is the
foundation Of II our laws and the ruling
power which determines all onr legislation.
This instrument only sets forth principles
and rules of action, and leaves the methods
by which they shall be practically applied
in the hands Of the people, to be shaped
and directed by their good sense and COM
bined judgement. The difference of opin-
ion regarding this or that course of action
to accomplish the same thing, is the father
ofpolitical parties. The collection fakes,
the fixing Of tariff duties, the question of
education and internal improvements, see
tional interests, franchise, religious and
moral questions, protection and matters Of
finance, are some of the questions upon
which men hold different views, and out
of which contending political parties NAV
be formed. The republican party had its
origin in one idea of non-ex tension of slav-
cry. On this, as cornerstone, the party
was built. The occurrence of the civil war
and the issues from it, gave it vitality and
power among the people. Slavery is dead,
and its epitaph is now part Of the Const-
tuition. 1t is now no longer an issue, and
the party has stranded on the shoals of in
dividual interests, commonplace govern
mental routine, and magnifed dangers,
without single great element of progress
which can inspire enthusiasm, and appeal
to the sympathy or pride Of the people.
The vitality of the Democratic party for
the last ten years has been emphatically
anomalous. A quasi opposition to the war,
its great age, and cry Of Constitution, and
radical Capitalization, and other strained de-
vices, sufiiced to hold il together. Unag-
gressivo, conservative, timid, nominal, hi
bernatng. it munched the dry bones Of
former conquests, snarled at progress, and
managed TO survive. To-day ii is but little
more vigorous. "The new departure" was
simply accepting facts--a cessation of deny