Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-07-28
The Mass Convention.

We confess 10 disappointment, in regard
to both the action and spirit of the conven.
ton that assembled IN Montpelier last week.
We doubt not the honesty of purpose which
influenced perhaps a majority of those who
attended though we do dlstrust, and think
there is occasion to do so, some prominent
members Of the convention We do desire.
and we strongly advocate, at least as strong
j. as we are capable OF doing it, the ind-
visible union of all northern men, to act
against the encroachments OF the SUN OF
all ylilainles," and with this end in view are
willing TO forget all mere party distinctions
and oyerstep party lines, meeting old party
antagonists on common ground; but it does
not follow from this, that we must concede
that :" third house" has always been right.
that IL has no advance TO make, and that if
we merely step upon Us platform all will be
right. The doctrine that any organization
Is perfectly right, or intallble, is too popish
TO snt US. We have no ground or evi-
dence, to make 1t certain that either Mr..
Briggs of Burlington, or DR.. Powers, OF
Woodstock, are any more devoiedly the
friends of the Maine Law, than are Judge
Royce of Berkshire, or Hon. Mr. Clark of
Poultney, except their personal assertion in
the heat Of defamation, and as to the hon
esty Of the four man, are perfectly willing
TO place each against the other in the scales
of puolic OpiniOu. What nc are most DIS
appointed in IS, that man already nomin.
ated, and sure TO obtain the support OF one
entire party, committed TO course IN regard
to these prominent matters, in such man
ner that he cannot well retract, and sound
and ,..hf 10, 4
ceeded without any cause, hauled down
from his position by his protested friends
and that one possessed of the same original
afiinilies, and pledged to the same course of
action, but with no greater personal fitness,
should be thrust forward with the claim that
all could unite upon him. The selection Of
Gen. Walton Just at this iuncture, aud at
the suggestion OF those who have hitherto
not held any views in common with him,
although he is emineuty qualified for any
station OF honor and trust to which the peo-
Pile might call him, seems to US unfortunate,
in fact we have but little hesitation in ayow-
lng our belief that 1t was done primarily, TO
divide, or distract the forces of those who
would have sustained Judge Royce. And
this conviction was deepened by the action,
especially Of DIR. Powers both before and
after the Mass Meeting of Thursday. The
evening before he insisted upon the absolute
necessity Of making the Temperance nom
nations on the spot, or rather of confirming
and adopting the report of the committee
which had designated Lawrence Brainerd
as candidate for Governor. But the lem
perance Convention adjourned, unconyinced
OF such necessity, and met again subsequent
to the action Of the Mass Meeting, and here
Dr. Z. was just as warmly in favor of sus-
tanning Gen. Walton as he had before been
OF nominating some one else. Heor others
may talk as much as they please abou, one
heing the candidate of the Temperance peo-
pie, and the other of the " Republicaps.S but
1t all doesn't change the impression in our
mind, derived from witnessing the entire
proceedings, that unworthy motives actuated
some of the prime movers in the lttle-drama.
And now, what course shall be pursued by
those who participated in the proceedings at