Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-08-23


HOPKINS.
According TO notice given last week,
Col. w. S. II. Hopkins of Greenfield made
n speech at the town hall on Saturday eve
ming. Aug. II, on the issues of the cam
paign. The attendance was good, and the
speech, though somewhat erratic, was of
good quality and well worth listening to.
We speak, said he, of the issues of the day
but what are these issues9 They are
many; but the main issue, we find, is one
of party. The democratic party stands to-
day in a position such as ii never stood bo-
fore; and its present attitude is a plea of
guilty to the Indictment charged by its OPP
ponents. Its chief capital today consists of
criticism of the republican party. But the
republican party needs no apology. De-
moctacy complains of the reconstruction
measures but 1t was Andrew Johnsons
treason o the republican party which made
reconstruction necessary. Peace first, re-
Cancellation afterward, Is the sole demand
rade of the South by the republican party
today, and the only demand it has ever
made. The opposition party is but loose
mass Of heterogeneous material. In YER
mont it breaches doctrines which would
prove its damnation in Mississippi; it has
as many variations as the kaleidoscope.
The only common principle is, "to beat
Grant" In proof of the conversion of the
democracy, we arc pointed 10 the platform
which they have adopted but platforms
are nothing until we know who is 10 inter
a. l..
has been badly sold. What we want to
know is, if we are to have Greeley for our
next President, whether 1t Is to be Greedy
the abolitionist, or Greeley the secessionist.
The fact that Fenton aud Blair had charge
of matters at Cincinnati is poorly calculat
ed to give that movement confidence with
the people. The speaker related several
amusing anecdotes in illustration the sew
cra phases of his subject (of which, we
confess, the foregoing is poor representa-
tom and closed with brief defence of
Grant and his administration.
SPEECH OF s. ]. MEANEY.
1t having been announced that speeches
were to be delivered at the town hall on
Tuesday evening by S. ]. Meaney of New
York, editor of the Irish Democrat, and
Hon. A. b. Gardner Of Bennington, coali-
ton candidate for Governor of Vermont, a
large audience assembled at the appointed
hour to listen to what might be said in IA
vor of the election of Horace Greeley to the
Presidency in November next. Mr. Gard.
ner, however, did not arrive until the fol-
lowing day, and Mr.. Meaney was the only
speaker present. He was introduced tC
the audience by w. II. Alexander, vice
president Of the Greeley club, and his re-
marks, which occupied somewhat les
than an hour in delivery, may be briefly
ated as follows: The questions of thu
past are settled and settled forever; toda,
| but one issue is presented to the American
| people, namely: the common good Of GU
common country. The speaker proclaim
| ed himself q democrat-call it hard shell
soft shell, what you like, he was that. Blu
tho differences of the past are de
stroyed, and henceforth the democratic
party is the party of progress and reform
He would indulge in no personalities, AM
had no word to offer against Grant, person
ally though he may indulge in more whs
| key punch than is good for him, or accep
presents of cottages by the seaside ant
bull pups by tho dozen, and reward tn
donors with office. The extravagances an
eNcesses OF tho administration are of Iii
tie moment to us, or would be, did not a
all the money come out of the peoples ow
pockets; thong a tax be laid upon the yer
bible that takes us TO heaven - thong
| ~ Ia q Il
a stamp upon our very soul!
The speaker then presented the followin
bill ofindictments against President Gran,
|. He has violated his profession in fave
of the one term principle of Office. 2. II
has accepted gins (bribes in reality an
inferred office upon the donors. 3. ii
has been guilty of nepotism and disgrace
the country thereby. 4. He has violate
his duty in using the navy to overawe til
people of Hayti. 8. He has mismange
the Indian affairs. 6. He has been guilt
of wastefulness and bad discipline. !. II
has used the army for the oppression of tn
people and TO secure his own reelection
s. He has left his post of duty at Washing
ton TO rusticate at watering places. o. II
stitution. 10. He is grossly ignorant of hi
official dnties H. He has aforded prc
lection and immunity TO fraud in the Gus
tom houses and other offices of government
The administration was also charged wit
toodvism in its management of affairs wi,
Great Britain, particularly with its cours
Ireland in which tbe sneaker was oro,aa
and for which he was doomed 70 enoo
years, nenal soryi,ude in n british co,on,
IIe wonId o;ve al, d,e crodi, 70 c,ro,, os
soldier. bnt giving him charge Of III
goverpmont Of which ba know no,hino
was like sending ones cbronome,or 70
bl.cksmitb for renairs Tbouoh a domo
Graf the sneaker had always been an oho
u,ionist and M ono reio;ood ,oro ,,,.r !,
,yho, tho o,,o,o;no,;,', ,.aoI.,,.,;a., -.