Vermont Watchman And State Journal

MOVEMENTS OF THE ENEMY. Last week we asserted on the authority of a regular notice, signed by Charles Lindley, Chairman of the V. B. State Committee, that the State Convention of the V. B. party would be holden at this place on the 28th instant; and since then we perceive that the state committee persist in their call, as the only regular one, "according to the usages of the party,"—and that a Convention will be holden at the time aforesaid. This call we suppose embraces the milk of the party; and now for the water:—on Saturday last the Vermont Patriot announced the following:

"Whereas, an extensive interchange of opinions and feelings has taken place between a large number of democrats of this state, without regard to the modern party names, by which they have heretofore been distinguished, and the conclusion arrived at, that the division unhappily existing among them, mainly arises from causes which should cease to operate; from a misconception of the sentiments and feelings of each other and a want of that frankness and familiarity which produce confidence of feeling and harmony of action,—and whereas, the importance of uniting and concentrating the entire strength of the democracy of the state, in order to act efficiently on the great questions involved in our elections, is self-evident;—and, whereas, the present seems to be an auspicious time for eradicating all erroneous impressions; for healing all divisions and dissensions, and for attaining the grand ultimate object—the union and harmony of the democracy of the State—Therefore, the undersigned respectfully recommend to the Democratic Freemen of Vermont, who are practically opposed to all secret societies and aristocratic monopolies, whether heretofore recognized by the appellation of Jackson men or antimasons, to assemble, by their delegates, (five or more from each town,) in Convention, to be holden at Montpelier on Wednesday, the 21st of June instant, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, to nominate a ticket of State Officers and to transact any other business thought proper."

This new call was signed—no, the "regulars" say it was not 'regularly' signed, but was gotten up somehow, and rather 'secretly' of the two, by "a few men at Montpelier,"—it purported to be signed by eighty men, beginning with "O. C. Merrill" of Bennington, ending with "Wm. Gates" of Essex county, and embracing precisely, as we are told, forty old fashioned Jackson Van Buren men, and forty new fashioned antimasonic Van Buren men. Of the former class, not a few have been somewhat strongly tinged with the masonic dye, and were strong "Unionists" at a certain time; and among the latter class are to be found Messrs. Flint, Barber, Cobb, Blodgett, Eaton and Vilas, who were very good antimasons.

From this brief state of the facts it will be seen, first that there is apparently a schism in the ranks of the enemy; and secondly, that a strong effort is to be made to draw the antimasons into the whirlpool of Van Burenism. Whether the schism will amount to much will duly appear: we predict however, that either but one Convention will be holden, or else the two conventions will unite on one ticket, and the main effort will be to bring to that ticket the support of those of the antimasonic party who have thus far maintained their political integrity unimpeached.