The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-06-26
Union State Convention,

1t will be seen that the State Committee
have called a Union Mass Convention to-
meet at Burlington, on Wednesday, July Stb.
for the purpose Of nominating candidates for
Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Treas
urer. We think a delegate convention
would have secured more satisfactory nomi-
nations. There are serious objections to
Mass Conventions. They are generally coz
trolIed by few interested men. Often the
programme is laid out weeks before the time
of meeting, and sufficient number of parti-
sans of any particular man are crowded in
to secure his nomination, whether he is d
suitable man for the position or not. 1t is a
foresone conclusion, and the people know it,
that politicians and office seekers control
such conventions. Hence, the voters in towns
distant from the place of meeting do not
care to attend. Again, the people are liable
to be imposed upon by selfish, designing men.
Even disloyai men-men who hate and op-
pose both the administration and the war for
the Cnion-may, by fair speeches and piausi-
BILE wolds-by sophistry and misrepesenta-
tions-so far impose upon those attending
the convention, as to procure the nomination
of men who, to say the least, hold doubtful
Union sentiments. Again, men who take no
part in the nomination of a candidate for
any office, will not exert themselves to secure
his election. Consequently, many votes will
be kept from the ballot-b box, that if cast
would go to swell the majority for the Con,
stitution and the Union.
/ In a delegate convention none of these OBJ.
Jections exist. Every town in the state is as
justly represented in such convention as it
is in the halls of legislature. The people
can come together in their respective towns
and choose some man or men to act for them
| IN the convention. Such men would consii-
er 1t their bounden duty 10 be present on the
day of meeting, and thus would every town
IN the state be repre- scented in the convention
The delegates would be intelligent, thinking
reading men and could not be easily imposed
upon by selfish and designing politicians
They would act according to the instructions
given by those who chose them, and thus Sc
cure united vote on the day of election
Vermont is the only state, we believe, which
has not discarded this unjust system of nom
mating men for public offices. 1t is well for
the people to assemble in mass meetings and
ratlty the nominations made BY delegates.
Let them come by hundred, and thousands
and commune and reason together, and listen
to patriotic, soul -stirring speeches from true
and loyal men.
But the committee have seen fit to call a
mass convention. Let the yeomanry of the
Green Mountain State see that no man is put
IN nomination on the Sth day of July next
who is not loyal Internationally loyal-to
the government. Let us sink all petty party
preJudices. and nominate only such men as
We kno'r will cooperate with the government
In every lawful measure 70 put down this re-
5eliion men whom we kltow will be just and
true to the brave soldiers now in the field 4;
men who are ready not only to sacrifice
wealth and ease and comfort, but life itself,
If need be, in the defense of a democratic
republican form of govern ment, that sacred
heritage bequeathed to us by our fathers.