Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-08-25

coming national election, il is well at all
times to keep in view the main issues in
volyed in the contest. And as some good
Repubicans-they are not many in Yer
mont, we believe-some lifelong haters of
slavery and secession and Of the Democrat
ic party which upheld or apologized for
them, appear TO have been charmed by the
siren voice fthe Democracy in its demand
for "reform, ;" and in some doubt as 10 what
constitutes the most important issue of the
contest and what their duty as voters re-
ally is, let us pause and consider the mat
ter.
The main issues of the present contest, as
we look at it, are three in number, and
these, In their relative Importance, stand
as follows:
l. The Southern question.
2. The financial question.
3. The reform of the civil service.
Many, doubtless, would reverse the or
der of these questions as above given; but
we are inclined TO believe that a thoughtful
survey of the entire situation will tend to
confirm our view.
Mr.. Wheeler, the Republican candidate
for the Vice Presidency, in his report as
chairman of Congressional committee ap-
pointed to investigate certain difficulties at
the South, used this language, which he
also repeats in his letter of acceptance:
ave of the North deude ourselves in
expecting that the masses Of the South, so
far behind in many of the attributes of en-
lightened improvement and civilization,
are, in the brief period of ten or fifteen
years, to be transformed into our model
Northern communities. That can only
come through long course OF patient
waiting to which no one can now set GER
tain bounds. There will be good deal of
unavoidable friction, which will call for
forbearance, and which will have 20 be re-
lleved by the temperate, fostering care of
these people to remain in the Union, and
now duty and interest demand that we
leave no just means untried to make them
| good, loyal citizens. How TO diminish the
| friction, how to stimulate the elevation of
this portion of our country, are problems
| addressing themselves to our best and
wisest craftsmanship. The foundation of
these efforts must be laid in satisfying the
| Southern people that they are to have
| equal, exact justice accorded 10 them.
| Give them, to the fullest extent, every
| blessing which the Government confers
upon the most favored-give them no just
cause for complaint, and then bold them,
| by every necessary means, TO an exact,
rigid observance or all their duties and
obligations under the Constitution and its
amendments, 10 secure to all within their
| borders manhood and citizenship, with ev-
cry right thereto belonging"
Such were and are the views of Mr..
! Wheeler in relation to the South and the
policy which the nation ought to pursue in
its dealings Herewith. The importance of
maintaining a firm and steadfast policy
toward those lately in rebellion is supreme.
1t cannot be overestimated. a state of So
ciety in which atrocities ike those at Cou-
shatta and Hamburg are not only possible
but are allowed TO go unnoticed and unre-
buked, cannot be reconstructed on the ba-
sis of modern civilization in ten years nor
twenty; and who dares assert or presume
that the work of reconstruction and civili-
zation would ever be accomplished under
the rule of the Democratic whitc-leaguers
and assassns themselves? So long as ii is
unsafe for negroes or Northern men to
| freely exercise their constitutional rights
In any section of the South, so long must
the national power be entrusted only 10
that party which will uphold the Constitu-
ton and protect the citizen in all his rights,
and such is not the Democratic party.
Because this is a question OF human and
constitutional rights, we place it first in
importance among the living issues of the
day.
Let us look at this question also in an
other light, as presented in late speech by
that eminent statesman, Senator Sherman
of Ohio. To the Democratic pretensions in
the matter of economy and retrenchment
the facts stated form fitting commentary.
Senator Sherman said:
When the war closed innumerable claims
against the United States were made by the
lately rebel States, aud Congress in the
most liberal spirit made provision for the
payment of all that by the well-settled rules
Of civilized war could be properly made
against the United States. The officers OF
the Departments, the Supreme Court, the
Court of Claims, and the Southern Claims
Commission were authorized to adjust and
pay different classes of claims, and Congress
passed many acts for equitable relief; SO
that it may with safety be said that more
over to citizens of the South for losses caus-
ed by the rebellion. But this extreme lib
erality only gave zest to the presentation oil
claims against the United States that if al
lowed would double the national debt.
These claims now endanger our whole
financial system.
1 have here in my hand list of one hun.
dred and forty separate claims now pend
ing in the Democratic House of Represen.
tatives, amounting to 81 $50 1863, every one
of which Is for injuries caused by our army
in rebel States during the war. Here is
another bill introduced in the Senate by
Mr.. Merrimon of North Carolina TO revive
the claims which existed in the South prior
to April Is, 1861, in favor OF persons "whc
promoted, ENCOURAGED or in any manner
sustained the late rebellion"
1 have in my hand fifteen different bills
now pending in the Democratic House Of
Representatives, to refund the cotton tax
and the proceeds of captured and abandon
ed property, and 10 make easy this whole
sale raid on The Treasury OF the United
States.
And, fellow citizens, have here bills
pending in that Democratic House more
wide-reaching still. Here is q bill Intro
duced by Mr.. Wiltshire of Arkansas, now
pending before the Committee on Wal
Claims in the House of Representatives
United States, rebels as well as loyal citi
zens, having claims for stores or supplies
taken or furnished during the rebellion fol
the use of the army. including the use o
boats, may sue the United States, and re-
cover the value thereof The loyal people
must pay all the war taxes, submit 10 thu
loss inflicted by rebel raiders, and theT
pay for all the forage taken by our troop
when within the rebel lines, all the rails
burned, all the corn, sweet potatoes, an(
turkeys consumed.
But, fellow citizens, TO complete our liza
bility, i have here another bill introduced
by Mr.. Riddle of Tennessee, and now pend
ing before the Judiciary Committee of thj
House, which directs the Secretary of Wa
TO allow and pay to all citizens of The Unit
ed States, rebel as well as loyal, reason
able compensation for the use of their prop
erty by the United States army or any par
| tharanf during the late civil war. EVarI