Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-08-11


jority and dictate the action of the caucus,
and the northern Democrats fall into line
and vote as their southern allies wish. These
things being so, have not demonstrated to
you that the south is in control of this gov
eminent, so far as the congress of the United
States is concerned. How could they be
more completely in control il every one of
the one hundred and fifty-fve Democratic
members lived south of Mason and Dixon's
line BY the caucus system the party votes
as unit. There is no individual expression
of opinion aud as the southerners are in
majority within the party, the northern Dem
ocrats must obey them, and do. The south
erners crack the party whip and the north
ern Democrats fall into line, as they must, by
the rules of party discipline. So we have
the spectacle to-day of southern domino
ton of the congress of the United States.
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
Having proved that, as | hope, TO the sat
isfaction Of every candid man, | will now
call your attention to the great question OF
the election Of the president; because, hav-
ing got control of congress, ii they get a
president, then the whole law-making ma
chinery of the government is in their hands.
Today thank God, it is not. If this con-
gress passes an improper law, to-day, there
still stands between it and the country the
veto of President Hayes Loud applause.
He has exercised it before when it has been
necessary, and they know he will exercise
it again. But he is the only barrier we have
left. Remove the Republican president and
elect a Democrat and these bills, instead of
being vetoed, will be approved and will be-
come laws. Now, General Hancock has
been nominated by the Democratic party
10 pna har of hat ri m IL 10
house tonight need be afraid that | am GO
ing to abuse him. | am not. He is man
to whom the country is grateful for brilliant
services in the field during the rebellion. He
fought at Gettysburgh and was one of the
foremost in repelling the onslaught of the
confederate columns on that eventful day.
NO such man shall ever be abused by me
A graduate of West Point, he is man of
education, culture, and of the incest honor,
like all West Pointers. Icheerfully concede
to him every virtue which the Democrats
claim. But in regard TO the expediency of
making him president, there are other con
siderations which must not be overlooked
If he should be elected, by whose votes
would it be accomplished AS every one
knows, one hundred and eighty-five electoral
votes are necessary to choice. 1t is con-
coded that the sixteen southern states are
solid for him. They are solid because the re-
bellious states have violated the promises
which they made and have not kept faith
with us. The words of the fifteenth amend
ment " The right of citizens of the United
States to vote shall not be denied or abridged
by the United States, or by any state, on ac-
count of race color, or previous condition of
servitude," are to-day mockery throughout
the south, and the consequence is that solid
south of which we hear SO much. If the
fifteenth amendment were observed, if the
negro were allowed to vote untrammeled,
the Republican party would carry several of
these states in November. Applause.
There are one hundred thirty-eight electoral
votes cast in this solid SOUTH" If they get
forty-seven votes from the north, they will
elect their president. In other words, if they
carry New York and Indiana, they will be
successful. Should they lose Indiana and
carry New York, New Jersey and Connecti-
cut they will still be successful. If he is
elected, to what will he be mainly indebted =?
Will it not be to the solid south ?" Will
it not have been her one hundred and thirty
eight electoral votes that put him there =?
Now, what must his course be after his
election He takes his seat at Washing
ton. He is surrounded by southern poll
ticians. They say to him General Han
cock, who will constitute your cabinet ?
We elected YOU. and we ask YOU to select
your cabinet from among our people, SO
that YOUR administration NAV be In har.
mony with our views" And he is bound
to recognize them. They are entitled to
speak and entitled to be heard. Such &C.
currences are in accordance with the ira
ditions of the Democratic party, in ac-
cordance with the Traditions of ali narties.
If General Hancock should be president, he
would BE Obliged to select as his cabinet
the men whom the south would indicate.
GENERAL HANCOCK.
But saws one of NV Democratic friends of