The Stark County Democrat

Vermont Election.

Mr. Vallandigham in a speech at Hamilton, Butler county, this State, on last Friday week, thus talked about the State election in Vermont:

I congratulate the Republican party upon having achieved a political victory in the State of Vermont. I think they are entitled to something. The Almighty, in the distribution of his benefits in this world, is not unjust, and as He distributes the rains and the dews of heaven upon the just and unjust, so He occasionally allows a Republican triumph. [Laughter.]

It is the only triumph they have had—the single instance since November last; and they are as much delighted, as perfectly tickled over it as a three year old child with a new play-thing. [Renewed laughter.]

They have not had a political victory for so long, they have not made any gains in election for so great a period of time that they feel most highly elated with their new success. The only significance of the Vermont election is this: It means that the Democratic deluge has not yet reached the top of the Green Mountains of that State.

That is all. And there upon their summits rests the Ararat of Radicalism, bearing just five souls. [Laughter.] And yet some of the true Democrats are troubled somewhat about this election. Remember the Scriptural injunction: "Beware of covetousness."

Don't be too greedy. You must not expect to carry everything before you. Vermont for fifty-six years, has not given a Democratic majority. She voted against Monroe, and he was elected; twice against Jackson, and he, too, was chosen; against Van Buren and against every Democratic President from Jefferson down, save only James Madison. In 1856 she gave nearly 30,000 majority against Buchanan, and he was chosen President. She is the Republican star, or rather the anti-Democratic star that never sets. It means further than this that the people of Vermont have not heard of the change that is going on all over the country; that the motives which have decided the people of this country to have a change have not reached Vermont. Let them fire their cannon, beat their drums, bring out their bands of music, burn their bonfires; it is right. You all remember the old proverb, "Be thankful for small favors"—and very small they are in this instance.

I have referred to this election simply because of the attempt to magnify it into a sign of the coming times. We judge, however, for ourselves. The appearances are not so. We judge from elections elsewhere. How stands the case? Last fall the Democrats in every State in the Union without one single exception made large gains. Even in Massachusetts the majority was reduced down from 60,000 to some 25,000 or 30,000; and Connecticut in the month of April doubled her majority of a year before; 1,700 is what she has recorded. Oregon, which two years ago was Republican, gives now 1,400 Democratic majority. Montana gives her 2,400. Idaho, too, is Democratic; and Kentucky, "glorious old Kentuck," that five years ago was not permitted to have Democratic candidates in the field, gives her 90,000 testimony in favor of the Democratic cause.

Now, do allow the Republicans, if you please, something to rejoice over. Be good natured, be generous, be magnanimous; let them still have the State that they have had for many years before I was born, and probably will have until the great flood sets in and the tops of the Green Mountains are overwhelmed with its waters. [Laughter and applause.]