Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-10-03
Massachusetts Politics.

The political atmosphere in the Bay State is
anything but clear. The clemeats which have
been disturbed for the Hast two or three years
seem to be as turbid as ever. The contest this
year par,akes largely Of the character of scrub
race. Backs, the Republican candidate, claims
also To be an American, while Gardner, the
nominee dftwo A lBerican Conventions, contends
that if he was a good enough Republican last
year he is certainly 80 now. Both parties seem
fully confident Of success, albeit the friends Of
Gardner brag with the most assurance.
Early in the season few members Of the
American party held convention and nomna-
ted Nathaniel p. Banks AS the American can
didate for Governor, it then being generally I'M
derstood that Gardner would decline nomina-
ton. This movement was made with the en-
pectalon that Banks would also be the nomi-
nee OF the Republican convention which was to
assemble few weeks later. At the appoint
ed time the Republican convention met and nom.
mated Mr.. Banks, as had been anticipated.
The nominee wrote letters accepting both nom
nations. Thereupon many of the ultra Amer
leans took the ground that he was not sufficient
ly identified with the platform Of their party TO
be its candidate. The straight Republicans"
were equally dissatisfied with Mr.. Banks re-
publcanisn and they bolted the nomination, al
though some Of them have since given in their
adhesion
Gov. Gardner re.considered his determine
tlon Of running again and soon after the second
nomination Of Mr.. Banks, took the field. Two
American conventions were held in Boston the
same day-one called by the Chairman of the
State Committee, and the other by the mana
gers of the Fillmore Americans of last year.
The latter wing run a candidate against Gard
ner in 1856, on the ground of his want of ma
tonality. Both these conventions nominated
Gardner for Governor making up the remain
der of the State ticket from both wings. Gard
ner accepted these nominations, with the assur-
ance that he was the candidate of all DESTROYS
of reforming the finances and retrenching the
expenditures of the State government.
AS for the Democratic and Straight Repub-
ican tickets nothing need he said, except that
there is no possible chance for either to sue.
ceed, nor can they in any way seriously afTec,
the relative position of the other parties.
During the last four or five years many lead
ing politicians may be found who have not sup
ported the same candidates nor the same organ
ration fol- two successive years. The polit
cal cards seem to be shutiled anew every year
So extensive have become the changes that al
toned in connection with the local politics O
his neighborhood, finds ii necessary to write
letter, or make speech defining his position
The records of political conventions in Massa
chuse,ts bear striking resemblance to the log
books of ship masters, being chiefly made uI
of series Of entries noting the chahges of III,
minds, and settling for the time being the pc
sitions OF the politicians.
While Mr.. Banks proclaims his adhesion Il
republican principles, although he is careful Il
make 10 illusions 10 platforms, he claims ais
10 sympalhize with the peculiar principles ar
policy Of the American party. On the olhe
hand Gov. Gardner professes to be an Amer
can, yet he says, or his friends do for him, tina
if he was good enough Republican last year
he surely must be this. Hence the dilemma i
which some politicians now find hemselve
placed. So lar as the aniecedens of the tw
candidates may be considered they stand abou
on the same level Their several records ar
matters about which the least said the soones
lncnded.
Outside of the State the sentiments, anon
the Republicans, is in favor Of Mr. Banks. The
LOOK upon him as the representation of the
political platform in Massachusetts, and beiev
mat his election would do much 10 strenethe
those principles abroad, while his defeat woul
paralyze more or less their future axeriion
1t is on this account that they desire his su,
cess.
As to the prospect but little can be safel
predicted. Gov. Gardner is supported by tn
Americans and moneyed interest in the easter
part of The State, while he gets many vote
from the rural districts. He has assurance al
means in abundance, and these tell powerful
in campaign. Mr.. Banks is supported by ii
masses who believe in making opposition
slavery extension a prominent article in III
political creed in State as well as in nations
politics. As a plurality elects one of the,
men must be elected. We trus, it will |
Banks