Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-07-05
The State Convention. = It's Action
and Nominees.

In every important political change du-
ring the history Four national government
Vermont has occupied front position, and
frequently has taken the initiative. And
vet there is no state in the Union that en-
joys higher reputationfor political stability
and consistency. She was among the first
to take a decided stand against British
oppression, and in favor Of the indepen
dence Of the American colonies. Although |
she was not counted as one Of the original |
thirteen, yet she did what no other state has
done, to wit maintained her own sover-
ignty and independence during many years
of strife, and defended her rights alike
against the British crown and the claims of
New York and New Hampshire; and when
peace dawned upon us, and our national
independence was acknowledged, Vermont
was the first to apply for and. receive adj
mission into our glorious Union.
Ever conservative as well as progressive,
the people Of the state, by proper and le-
gal majorities, adhered 10 the principles of
the whig party so long as there was sufli-
cient vitality in that party to render its ac-
tion useful to the country. In that adher-
ence and political consistency, the state
nobly won the panesyric SO universally ac-
corded 10 her in of the name of s'the star
that never SETS" When that sagaciy
which is ever an attribute of an edu-
Gated, free, and enlightened people, fore
saw that the mission Of the great wing par
~ was drawing to close, the freemen of
Vermont, in convention assembled, estab-
lished the republican party, and inaugura-
ted that great movement which has wrested
the reins Of government from the hands of
designing men--saved the government be-
queathed to us by our fathers, and the I'M
ion of these states, as it were, "like brands
from the burning" and placed tho ship of
state-well nigh wrecked by reasonable
pilot hands under the control of the pres
ent administration. True to her history
and the spirit of our fathers, the state has
again, in the action of her recent conyen-
ton, taken high and advanced ground in
the great movement for the preservation
and perpetuity of the government, and the
integrity Of the Union. There are, no
doubt, many republicans who disapprove Of
the action Of the convention. There were
those in 1854, who disapproved Of the
abandonment of the old wing party and the
establishment Of the present republican
party, but who among that number now
will say that the course then adopted was
premature or injudicious We venture TO
predict that, in less than seven years, those
republicans who now regret the action of
the state convention, will rejoice sand be
exceedingly glad" at its results. Time and
future developments will prove the wisdom
of the course adopted. Other states will
follow the lead of Vermont in this as in the
great republican movement, and the presi-
dent will soon have his hands strengthened
by one great and united party-united up
on the broad basis OF the preservation of
the Union, and the sustaining Of the admin
istration in putting down treason and rebell-
ion, without having the strength Of the gov
eminent weakened by party strifes among
the loyal citizens of the loyal states. Ii
was fitting that Vermont should take the
lead; it was magnaniInious in the repubIi
cans TO throw open their doors to all repen.
iant sinners and loyal citizens.
The action of the Convention canno
justly be treated as the least abandonment
Of those great principles upon which th,
Republican party was formed and has beer
carried into legitimate power. The reso
luton passed, and the only one that wa
passed, expressly declares that no past O
present political principle is thereby aban
doned. How then can il be truly said tia
the Republican party have abandoned
single plank of their platform? We be
iieve in the Chicago platform, and in tn
doctrines Of the New Testament can il b
said that because We do not re-aifirm on
belief therein at every convention that "
have abandoned il? Not in the least.
Nor can it be truly said that we adher
60 our principles but abandon our party
for the very convention which passed III
resolution of Mr.. Edmunds, elected Re
publican State Committee for the ensuin
year, which committee can call Renubli
can Convention whenever the exisencies q
tbe party require it.
At first, we were not inclined 10 favor III
call of the Committee, deeming il a siretc
of power. bot we are not now, nor have W
been, disposed to censure them. These al
no ordinary times Parties and party Con
mittees we're not created for an hour liz
this- The President himself finds a streic
of Constitutional power necessary, and a
good citizens will uphold him in his efTor