Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-23
BRIsTOw IN VERMONT.


Burlington gave a cordial and enthusiastic
reception to Mr. BRIsrow, yesterday, worthy
of the man and the cause which he so fifty
represents. The speech which he made, when
the cheers which greeted his introduction
had subsidized, was eloquent and statesman
like, and elisited the frequent aud prolonged
applause Of his audience. lie arraigned the
democratic party as the inveterate opponents
of the late amendments 10 the Constitution.
and as being now, as ever truckers TO the
secessionsts of the South. His eulogy Of
Governor Hayes was noble, as well as Just,
and on the great question Of civil service re-
form they occupy identical positions.
Mr.. BRIsrow arrived in Burlington on
Monday evening accompanied by his wife
and daughter, aud Colonel G.. C.. Horton, Of
Kentucky. lie was received by committee
of prominent citizens, and taken to the house
Of Colonel lie Grand b. Cannon, whose guest
he remained during his stay Yesterday
noon he held reception at the City Hall,
which was largely attended. The city was
hung with bunting, the Hayes and Wheeler
Clubs Of Plattsburgh aud West Chazy, across
the lake, were present, and vast throng Of
the citizens of Chittenden county.
The meeting was held in the afternoon on
the City Park, just west of the Fletcher Ii
brary building. On the speakers platform
were Governor Peck, Hon. Luke F. Poland,
Hon. Levi Underwood, Judge Benham, Of
Louisiana, and many of the prominent citi-
zons Of Burlington. The st. Adams Glee
Club and the Queen City Band enlivened
the occasion with music and songs. Hon.
Daniel Roberts presided, and introduced the
speaker happily and effectively. Besides
Mr. BRIsTow, addresses were made by Judge
Poland, Governor Underwood, Judge Ben
ham and others. Mr. BRIsrow's speech was
as follows:
Mr.. Bristow's speech.
Free government is established for the benefit
Of the people and it, only rightu authority is
derived from them. This idea was happily ex-
pressed by Mr. Lincoln when he declared that the
tremendous struggle in which the country was
then engaged was for the preservation Of govern
meut Of the people by the people aud for the
people" In pursuance Of thi. underlying prn-
| ciple the fundamental law Of our national Union
| makes provision for the choice of public servants
| by popular election ut stated periods The most
important Of these is that at which the people
elect President who, besides being clothed with
the highest civil functions chief magistrate, Is
also by virtue Of his office commander-n-chief Of
the army and navy OF the United States and Of
the militia Of the several states when called into
| the national service lie is expressly charged by
the constitution to take care that the laws be
| faithfully executed. This duty he Is 10 perform
under the sanction of his oath to preserve, pro-
tect and defend the constitution Of the United
states The election of nm officer clothed with
such vast powers, and charged with duties and
responsibilities so directly affecting the general
welfare Is m event in government, the import
ance Of which cannot be over-estmated The
great good that may he done by wise and pa
triotic Executive during term of four years, or
the incalculable mischief that may be inflicted on
the people by chief magistrate acting under the
influence of false political ideas actuated by I'M
worthy motives aud desires should cause every
elector to give the most thoughtful consideration
| to the character Of the candidates presented for
his choice, as well as to the declaration OF prn-
ciples made by the candidates themselves and by
the parties which they respectively represent. In
| making this choice the people act through party
organizations. Every citizen entitled TO the cleo
tive franchise must make choice between the
candidates presented by party nomination or
abandon altogether his duty and privilege an
elector While n free government does not i'm
pose pains or penalties any citizen for refusing
to exercise this right, proper regard for the du-
ties and obligations OF citizenship require that
none shall neglect it. The higher his position in
intelligence and personal independence Of the
emoluments and forms Of government the more
important is it that he should exercise all proper
influence and control in the choice Of a chief mag
istrate of the nation.
THE TWO PARTIES
At the beginning of the second century of our
national existence two great political parties pre-
seat their respective candidates for the offices OF
President and Vice President Each has made a
declaration Of principles, and upon these and the
character Of their nominees, they invoke the iudg-
ment Of the people These party organization,
are not now for the first time in the field. It i,
proper that the principles which they now profes,
should be examined in the light Of the past pro
LESSONS aud conduct of each rhe Republican
party claims the support OF the people on the
ground that 1t is still true tn the principles which
brought il into being, and which il has steadfastly
maintained At the same time il processes 10 b,
ut all times ready IA progress in the science Of th'
government, and To deal fairly and courageousl,
with new issues ~ they arise, On the other hand
the democratic party claims popular confidence
and support, not ON the ground of adherence t.
its own record aud teachings but because Il
claims to have cast of it, ancient traditions and
to have been regenerlted and completely meta
morphosed. 1t is important 10 inquire wheihe
these professions are sincere and even il so
whether in view of the past a party which ha
undergone so great change can be safely truste,
! to protect, defend and preserve the new order o
things which has been established against liz viii
and in spite Of its fiercest opposition.
The history Of the democratic party is insepara
BILE from the
DEFENSE or HUMAN SLAVERY,
and the most prominent Of it, traditions has beer
its readiness TO obey the behests of the slay,
power, which dominated in American politics 5,
long as that party maintained its ascondancy
I judged by its record and political teachings III,
chief end Of the democratic party while it helC
power, was not only to preserve and perpetual,
slavery where it existed but to give opportunit,
for expansion following the extension OF our M
tional domain, As party organization it should
; have died when slavery persisted Entrusted fo
many years with the control Of the national gov
1 eminent, ii used without stint the powers o
every department, legislative, executive ant
judicial, for the promotion and extension O
slavery. Claiming always that the general gov
eminent was n mere confederation of states, pro
Tossing only federal power, and not entitled to b,
called nation, TO legislate for the protection
OF civil rights personal liberty 1t did not hest
tate 10 enact and enforce the most stringent ant
arbitrary statutes for returning to slavery the few
colored people who, inspired by the natural long
ing for freedom, fled from bondage TO the fire.,
states of the North 1t compelled every man t,
be a slayeoatcher, or violate the law OF the land
1t denied to men with African blood in their vein
all the rights and privileges OF citizenship, even
though they had been lawfully emanoipated from
statutory slavery While Il eyerted the civil ant
military power of the general government in tn,
streets Of Boston for the capture and return OF :
single fugitive from bondage, cargoes Of mporte,
slaves were permitted to land on our Sontheri
coast and be sold rs cha.tels throughout tn,
South Under the dictation Of the slave power
adopted rule Of construction Of the natona
Constitution which led directly and logically I.