St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1878-05-31

n1gl, ana Un6 IactlOuS SplrlG 50 SlrOuS,
that resort was had to an unusual
method of determining and settling the
question. A Commission unknown to
the Constitution and unknown to law,
born of its own necessities yet the re-
suit of a compromise, was created and
sat in Judgment and declared its de-
cision and its result. The nominee of
the Republican party was declared to
be the President of these United States,
and in spirit of fOrbearance and of
generosity a policy was enunciated
which, whether right or wron whether
it met the views and support of all OF
not, had for its basis, as every ybody be-
lieved, the honest, the sincere and the
earnest conviction of the Chief Magis-
trate himself. (Applause.)
In spirit of concession a policy was
adopted. 1t was believed that the true
way to reconstruct the country, which
had been broken by rebellion, the true
way of harmonizing and bringing into
cordial relation the elements which had
been torn and distracted by ruinous
war, lay, not in the power of the sword
not in the laws of Congress as they might
be enacted, and, therefore, yielding to
what seemed to the Chief Magistrate
the only and wisest course by which
reconciliation was to be reached, by
concession, by generous concession, am
nesty was to be given without distinc-
ton of party, the people were to be
restored to their natural and political
rights, and it was done. The sword
was sheathed, the army was withdrawn,
the only protecting shield of the loyal
people of the South was taken away,
and, cOnfiding in the pledges which
were made and the assurances which
were given, believing in the soundness
of the position assumed by the Admin
istratiOn that generous treatment would
bring generous recOmpense, they were
restored to their rights, and those who
long period since the war closed for
their rights were cast aside that the
rebels might come in repentant, accept
the terms and he recOnciled.
Gentlemen, with what result has the
experiment been tried ? The Republi-
can party, born of a necessity, its mis-
sion to free the slaves, to establish the
equality of right and to contribute to
the prosperity of the country as its only
hope, has been shattered and riven and
distracted and yet, gentlemen, is there
any one here ready to claim that its
mission is ended ? Is there any one
here ready to say that it has performed
its Office and should be superseded
Let the results and actions of the pres
ent Congress give the answer. ZAP
plause.) Is there remaining no need of
Republican party7 Are the rights
guaranteed under the Constitution pre-
served Does equality exist as con-
templated there's Has peace been re-
stored: is the rebelliOus South recon-
structed Never since the days prior
to the breaking out of the war, has the
spirit of rebellion been so rampant, so
violent as it is to-day. (Applause.)
Never has it assumed to itself more
determined power. What means, gen
tlemen, what means the action of that
party in power, the dominent party in
its assaults upon the Government
What means the reduction of the army T?
What means the withholding of sup
plies from the Government What
means every movement of theirs to
cripple its financial strength and power 2
Do you see no parallel of this ? Can
you call to mind any similar legislation
Go with me back to the days before the
rebellion broke out and sit with me
there as we watched the proceedings of
that Congress which stripped the Gov
ernment of all its power, its army, its
arsenals, which stripped its forces to
cripple the loyal North that the re-
bellious South might have an easy con-
quest. Oh, gentlemen the movements
that are being made to-day are but the
repetition of that scene, and it rests
with the loyal people of the North to
say what shall be the result. Never in
my Judgment has there been a time
since then when the Government need
ed so much the united strength of its
loyal citizens, never a time when
thoughtful men and lovers of good order
and good government needed to stand
so firmly as to-day. (Applause.)
In that alone lies the safety of the re-
public, and without it your republic is
but rope of sand, and the triumph of
treason and rebellion is in my iudg-
ment assured. do not make these re-
marks, gentlemen, because | am by any
means an alarmist. l believe sincerely
and firmly that while the policy of gen
erous treatment was honestly under
taken, it will be as honestly abandoned.
(Applause.) l believe that the present
Administration has lived to see that its
experiment has failed entirely, and
must and will fall, and l believe that
the Administration has to day prepared
to take Il different stand and to work
for the restoration of that party, the
only party that will restore liberty and
peace and tranquility in the South
Beyond and above all human agencies,
1 have not yet lost my faith and trust
in Providence and that watchful care
which was present with the republic at
its birth, which watched over it during
its period of infancy, which guarded it
during the trials and temptations OF
prosperity, which stood by it and over
it in the hour of rebellion, and which
to-day, though the clouds lower and are
dark, will yet, if we are true to our
selves, carry us safely through and
make this republic what it was designed
to be, glorious government and one
which shall hold its strength and posi-
tiOn and power among all the nations
of the world.
You, gentlemen, in your action to-
day, contribute largely if you come here
to-day in spirit of united strength,
using the wisdom that you possess to
select candidate and to adopt your
resolutions with united spirit. If it
goes out to the world that Vermont still
remains true and steadfast to the prin-
ciples and to the party with which she
has been so long identified, it will go to
strengthen the hands of the Admins
tration, to encourage the people in all
other States and it will go to perpetuate
the liberty which we eniOv whose lipht
sustenance and permaneney rest in thai
watchful care, that unceasing vigilance
which alone will secure it.n (Applause.