Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-09-01

being clothed with the highest civil func-
lions as Chief Magistrate, is also, by virtue
of his office, commander in chief of the
Army aud the 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 10
take care that the laws be faithfully exc
cuted. The election of an officer clothed
with such vast powers, and charged with
duties aud responsibilities so directly af-
fecting the general welfare, is an event IN
government the Importance of which can
not be overestimated. The Republican
party claims the support of the people on
the ground that it is still true 10 the prin
ciples which brought it into being, and
which IL has steadlastly maintained. At
the same time, it processes TO be at all
times ready to progress in the science of
government, and TO deal fairly and cour-
ageously with new issues as they arise. On
the other hand, the Democratic party
claims the popular confidence and support,
not on tho ground Of its adherence TO its
own record and teachings, but because 1t
claims to have cast of its ancient tradi-
tons, and TO have been regenorated and
completely metamorphosed. 1t Is inn
portant TO inquire whether these profess
ions are sincere, and even If so, whether,
in view OF the past, party which has IN
dergone so great change can be trusted TO
protect, defend, and preserve the new or
der Of things, which has been established
against its will and in spite of its opposi-
ton. The history of the Democratic party
is inseparable from the defense of human
slavery, and the most prominent of its ira
ditons has been its readiness TO obey the
behesis Of the slave power which domi-
mated American politics 50 long as that
party maintained its ascendancy. As a
party organization it should have died
when slavery persisted. Intrusted for
many years with the control of the Nation
al Government, IL used without stint the
powers of every department, legislative,
executive, and judicial, for the protection
and extension of slavery, claiming always
that the General Government was a mere
| confederation of States, possessing only
federal power and not entitled 10 be called
national or to egislate for the protection of
civil rights or personal liberty. 1t did not
hesitate to enact and enforce most stringent
and arbitrary statutes for returning TO slav-
cry the few colored people, who, enforced
| by a natural longing for freedom, fed from
bondage TO the free States of the North. 1t
| compelled every man 10 DO a slave catcher,
| or violate the laws of the land. 1t denied
to men with African blood in their veins
all the rights aud privileges of citizenship,
| fInnUh lhnv Ia1 hpan la q fnlly l.
cipated. Under The direction Of the slave
power it adopted rule of construction OF
the national constitution which lead direct
ly and logically 10 the right of the slave
States 10 socede from the Union at their
plea sure. The rebellion, which cost both
sections of the country so enormously in
in blood and treasure, was the direct and
immediate result Of the teaching and prac-
tees of the Democratic party. While the
war was in progress the Democratic party
ass embed in convention at Chicago, Ia
nominate candidate for the Presidency,
aud there deliberately declared the war for
the Union a failure. By this act it gave
encouragement and fresh hope to the reb-
els in arms. The fact that individuals per-
for med their duty Loyalty and well, not
withstanding their connection with the
party which gave expression TO such I'M
patri otto views, is greatly to the credit oil
themselves as citizens, but does not relieve
the party as such from the charge OF dis
loyalty aud false teaching. The present
Demo cratic candidate for the Presidency
was a member of the Chicago convention
and Of the committee which reported the
resolution to which have referred. The
leaders Of the party who promote or permit
such declarations are not the men of whom
Presidents are made. There are occasions
in the history CT nations and in the lives Of
men when the duty of the party and the
sctive support Of the Government rises
above all other considerations of public
ma ture. When the Republican party, ris-
ing 10 the importance of the occasion, and
recognizing the necessity of the hour, de-
ter mined 10 remove absolutely the cause Of
the rebellion by ENGRAVING upon our writ
ten Constitution an amendment abolish
ing slavery, the Democratic party gave
neither aid nor countenance 10 the effort
but absolut ely resisted its adoption. 1t now
asks the people TO elevate TO the second Of
fee in their gift a man, who as Senator in
Congress from Indiana, by his voice and
vote opposed the submission Of that amend
ment TO the people. The Thirteenth
Amen dment is now the browning glory Of
our Constitution. The adoption of this
was opposed and resisted by the Demo
cratic party. Every measure of the Re-
publican party for the enforcement of these
amendments and for the reconstruction
and paciication of the Southern States, has
met with fierce and uncompromising OPP
position and resistance from the Democrat
ic party. Can it be trusted now to main
tain and preserve what has been gained in
spite of its opposition
And is it not both wise and safe 10 select
as guardians of the new order OF things
meu who took part in the work because
they believed it TO be right? The ques-
tons be fore us are practical ones; no back
ward steps must be taken. The profession
of loyalty to the new order of things by the
De mocratic party and Of its acquiescence in
the amendments to the Constitution is toe
mt and too strongly inconsistent with
its record and the teachings of its ablesl
leaders 10 be accepted without challenge
The Democratic party has been dragged
along behind the great living progressive
party of the age, and under the lash of pop
ular condemnation has been driven for
ward in sullen mood and by unsteady
steps. It has originated nothing, and has
advocated no useful measure of national
politics for more than quarter of a centu'
ry. When did it ever originate measure
for the protection Of personal liberty
When did it ever deny the behests of the