Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-05-28

contributions for party purposes. And it is
right for any party to obtain means by soil
citation, but TO obtain them by compulsion
is a reproach to any party.
Then why is this bill, unjust in its pro
hbitions, freighted as it is with absurdities,
brought in here at this timey Z There is but
one answer one explanation. We are on the
eve of presidential election, one of the most
momentous If not tie most momentous that
this nation has ever approached. The de-
mocracy has possession of both Houses OF
Congress, and il is determined to keep it and
to carry the next presidential election. There
fore it legislates all Federal authority, both
military and civil, away from the polls on
Federal election days Then il enacts this
law because a small sum contributed by each
of the officers, clerks, employees, contractors,
and claimants mentioned in this bill would
amount to n large fund for political cam
paign.
"If it be asserted that money ought not to
be used for political purposes, | reply that
no party ever used it more freely than has
the party that originated this bill That it
can be used legitimately, as can be done by
all other organizations of men, is Il PROPOSE
ton too plain for argument. But to illus
trate what is already plain, it has been stated
that one hundred thousand copies of the very
by the distinguished gentleman from Ohio
(Mr. EWING were subscribed for, which was
perfectly right It is safe to assert that dur
ing the coming campaign Il million Of copies
Of that one speech will be printed and sent
through the mails to the remotest parts of
the country They will cost the Democratic
party hundreds of dollars, and will be paid
for out of a campaign fund and this is but
one of numerous speeches and documents
that will be placed in the hands Of Democrat
ic voters. This fund will be obtained III some
manner, though it will not be contributed to
by clerks and office-holders, as they are main
ly Republicans and those who are not will
of course respect this law while it remains on
the statute book. Should the Democracy
elect its President next fall this law would
have served its purpose, and would be repeal
ed SO as not to be in the way Of the incom-
ing Democratic ofiice-holders and clerks max
ing political contributions as formerly.
'But the Republicans will carry forward
this campaign, and with union in their ranks
and if fair elections can be held throughout
the country, they are sure to carry it to IA
successful issue This bill is itself volume
of instruction, as it apprses us Of the deter
mined purpose of our adversary, and to be
forewarned is to be forearmed.
But, Mr.. Speaker, whatever may be the
result of the next election, sincerely hope
that thereafter We may be a moro united peo-
pie. In the early times there WAS nothing to
bind the people of the colonies together but
their common cause against common enc
my and their determination TO establish an
Independent government for themselves. By
their united struggles that Government was
established, and under it has grown up "a ma
ton vast in its domain and resources, with
an immense population, and with possibili-
ties for greatness and grandeur infinitely be-
yond what it has yet attained. As the faith
ers were united in their efforts to establish
this Government, would that we might lay
aside all sectional controversies and be united
in our allegiance to it and in our determine
ton to promote its welfare