Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-06-16
THE STATE CONVENTION.

From the call issued by the State Committee
of the Republican party of Vermont, and which
we give above, it appears that convention to
nominate candidates for State officers is to be
held at Rutland on the 9th instant. The tim,
and place are believed to be the best which, on
the whole, could be selected. The interval be.
tween the call and the meeting is unusually
brief, but the difficulty of communicating with
so many individuals as compose the Committee
and the diversity of views prevailing among
the Committee as to the manner in which the
convention should be called, has prevented
earlier notice.
Notwithstanding our position as a member of
the State Committee, we trust we shall be par
doned in expressing our decided disapprobation
of the manner and form in which the conven-
ton has been called. With due Difference to
the opinions of those of our associates who
have differed from us, and who constitute a ma
jority, we believe that the Committee had no
discretion as to the manner in which the con-
vention should be constituted. The convention
OF 1859, under which they held their appoint
ment, directed the Committee to call Republican
State conventions in future as Delegate Con-
ventions." This direction we held and still
hold to be in force until it is abrogated by COM
petent authority; at least it was binding upon
that Committee which received their authority
from the very power which established the rule.
1t may be said that the Mortified Convention
-ol:--~I Al ~ - - -
complying with the direction of the convention
of last year. We answer that the convention
at Mortified was not called for any such pur-
pose; it therefore had no more authority in the
premises than the conventions of other States
have, either by way of advice or direction.
We repeat, in our judgment the State Commit
tee had no authority or right to call any other
than delegate convention, and that in calling
as they have Mass convention, they have arbi-
trarily assumed power that did not belong to
them.
We shall not at this time repeat the argu-
ments we have so frequently advanced in favor
OF delegate conventions, nor re-iterate the rea-
sons which lead us to regard mass conventions
for the purpose Of transacting representative
business, as q delusion and cheat. We could
not, however, in justice TO ourself and to our
often expressed and well known convictions up
on this subject, let the opportunity pass without
disclaming any responsibility for such call,
further than the appearance of our name in
connection with it as a mere matter of form.
The object for which the convention is called
is one worthy the attention of every citizen.
Besides the nomination Of State officers, which
is always a matter Of Importance and deep m
terest, we are called upon to respond to the
nominations of ABRAHAM LINCOLN and HAN
NIBAL HAMLIN. What that response will be
there can be no question. Vermont is better at
deeds than words. If thirty thousand Republi-
can majority is asked for in November it will be
forthcoming, and more if wanted. The only
difficulty will be to SO repress the ardor of our
people that the vote of Vermont will not be bur-
densome by way of comparison to other States.