Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-08-06

in vast sums, with the knowledge and pre-
sumed sanction of the administration, to con-
troll the elections and even the members of
the Cabinet are strolling about the country
making partisan speeches, instead Of being in
their departments at Washington dschargng
the public duties for which they are paid by
the people, But with all their cleverness and
ability discriminating public will no doubt
read between the lines of their speeches that
their paramount hope and aim is to keep them
selves or their satellites four years longer in
Office Perpetuating the power of chronic
federal office holders four years longer will
not benefit the millions Of men and women
who hold no office, but earn their daily bread
by honest industry, is what the same discern
ing public will no doubt fully understand as
they will also that it is because of their own
industry and economy, and Gods bountiful
harvests, that the country is comparatively
prosperous, and not because of anything done
by these federal office-hoders The country
is comparatively prosperous, not because of
them, but in spite of them.
This contest is, in fact, between the people
endeavoring to regain the political power
which rightfully belongs to them, and to re-
store the pure, simple, economical constitu-
tional government of our fathers on the one
side, and a hundred thousand federal office
holders and their hackers, psmpered with
pace anu power ana ueIerulneu 10 Ieldlu
them at all hazards, on the other. Hence the
constant assumption of new and dangerous
powers by the general government, under the
rule of the Republican party-tho effort to
build up what they call a strong government;
the interference with home rule and with the
administration of justice in the courts of the
several States the Interference with the cleo
tions through the medium of paid partisan
federal office-holders, interested in keeping
their party in power and caring more for that
than fairness in the elections In fact, the
constant encroachments which have been
made by that party upon the clearly reserved
rights of the people and the States, will, if
not checked, subYert the liberties of the peo-
pie and the government of limited powers
created by the fathers, and end in great con-
solidated central government-strong, indeed,
for evil-and the overthrow of republican in
stitutions. The wise men who formed our
constitution knew the evils of q strong gov
eminent and the long continuance of political
power in the same hands. They knew there
was tendency in this direction in all govern
ments, and consequent danger to republican
institutions from that cause and took pains
to guard against it, The machinery Of a
strong centralized general government can be
used to perpetuate the same set of men in
| power from term to term until ii ceases to be
a republic, or is such only in name and the
| tendency of the party now in power in that
| direction, as shown in various ways besides
the willingness recently manifested by large
number of that party to elect President an
unlimited number of terms, is quite apparent
and must satisfy thinking people that the
time has come when it will be safest and best
| for that party TO be retired.
But in resisting the encroachments of the
general government upon the reserved rights
of the people and the States, wish to be dis
tinctly understood as favoring the proper ex-
ercise by the general government Of the pow
| ers rightfully belonging to it under the con-
stitution. Encroachments upon the constitu-
| tonal rights of the general government, or
interference with the proper exercise of its
powers, must be carefully avoided. The un-
ion of the States under the constitution must
be maintained, and it is well known that this
| has always been the position of both the can
didates on the Democratic presidential ticket.
| 1t is acquiesced in everywhere now, and final
ly and forever settled as one of the results of
the war. 1t is certainly beyond all question
that the legitimate results of the war for the
| Union will not be overthrown or impaired
should the Democratic ticket be elected In
that event, proper protection will be given in
| every legitimate way to every citizen native
or adopted, in every section Of the republic,
in the enjoyment of all the rights guaranteed
by the constitution and its amendments a
sound currency of honest money of a value
and purchasing power corresponding sub
stantially with the standard recognized by the
commercial world, and consisting of gold and
| silver and paper convertible into coin, will be
maintained; the labor and manufacturing
commercial and business interests OF the coun.
try will be favored and encouraged in every
legitimate way. The toiling millions of ouI
own people will be protected from the destruc-
tive competition of the Chinese and to that
end their immigration to our shores will be
properly restricted. The public credit will be
scrupulously maintained, and strengthened by
rigid economy in public expenditures and
the liberties of the people and the property
of the people will be protected by govern
ment of law and order, administered strictly
in the interests of all the people, and not Of
corporations and privileged classes.
l do not doubt the discriminating justice Of
the people, and their capacity for intelligent
self-goyernment, and, therefore, do not doub
the success of the Democratic ticket. Its sue
cess would bury beyond resurrection the sec
tional jealousies and hatreds which have Sc
long been the chief stock in trade of pestifer
Gus demagogues, and in no other way can thi
be so effectually accomplished. 1t would re
store harmony and good feeling between al
the sections, and make us in fact, as well a.
in name, one people. The only rivalry thel
would be in the race for the development o
material prosperity, the elevation of labor
the enlargement of human rights, the promo
ton of education, morality, religion liberty
order, and all that would tend to make us tn
foremost nation of the earth in the grant
march of human progress. am, with grea
respect, very truly yours,
WILLIAM II. ENGLISH.
To the Hon. JOHN W. STEVENSON, Presiden
of the convention; the Hon. JOHN p
STOCKTON, Chairman, and other member
of the Committee of Notification.