Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-08-21
The Election in September.

The September election is close at hand in
our State, and word Of Indictment may not
be out of place Republicans count tri-
umph so secure in Vermont that they seldom
make an effort. Unless some local question,
some strife for town representative or some
split on county ticket, calls out the voters,
the Republicans seldom appear with two
thirds their strength at the polls. This year,
more than ever, this Indifference promises to
reduce the Republican majority. In Chit
tenden county, in Bennington county, and
perhaps in few town. elsewhere a tolera-
bly, full vote may be expected, but in the
State generally We fear the vote will be light
This result, at any time to be avoided, should
now be guarded against with the utmost Wig
lance
We are on the threshold of a presidential
election The Democrats are by no means
confident of victory in that election, but va
rious circumstances have conspircd to give
them some hope of securing a successor to
President johnson who shall be even more a
plant tool of the defeated rebels than the
present renegade executive. The Republican
majority in New Hampshire last spring was
less than the year before. Connecticut in
April elected English, coppcrhead, over
Hawley, a soldier and Republican. In
New York the Germans are proposing to Join
the Democrats because that party is in favor
Of free beer and free whiskey on Sunday
while the Republican party favors the old
fashioned notion Of observing the Sabbath as
day of quiet, undsturbed by business and
carousal; and in many western states the
Germans are also threatening to 20 with the
party which is opposed to all Sunday laws
and all prohibitory legislation The Repub-
lican majority in New York at the last cleo
ton was but little over 10000. and it is not
by any means impossible that this German
detection may be sufficient to neutralize that.
and at least make New York doubtful state
this fall and if the Democrats should sue
coed in that state in the next November cleo
ton, it would greatly encourage the party
everywhere to hope for success in the next
presidential canvass. We need not IIrge in
these columns the reasons which should i'm
pei every Republican, whether in Vermont
or California, to do what he can to avert the
national calamity of a Republican defeat in
November, 1868
The election in Vermont in September will
have decided influence upon the political
contest throughout the country. IF the Re
publican majority here is less than last fall.
Democratic newspapers and speakers will
herald the fact as indicative Of popular re-
action in favor of Democracy IF the major
Ity is greater than last fall it will cheer the
hearts of Republicans everywhere, and cor
respondingly dishearten their opponents A
victory makes second victory easier, as
defeat is a precursor of other disasters Du-
ring the rebellion victory on the Misslssip-
pi gave energy and dash to the soldiers on
the Potomac. and Sherman-s triumphant
march to the sea added courage and strength
to Grants legions in the trenches about
Richmond In Vermont little exertion is
needed to make the home result safe but
every vote by which our majority is counted
will have weight beyond our borders and in
distant States. We are measuring strength
with our opponents, and millions of voters
are anxiously watching the contest: and
whatever emphasis we give to our success
will give courage to our friends and bring
encouragement to our enemies everywhere
Then let every Republican be at the polls,
and let our victory be more marked and de-
cisIve than ever before Let no man have it
to say that Vermont gives signs of faltering
We stand in the front line, and let our ranks
be full, every man in his place The small
est majority which should satisfy any Re
publican, is the majority which can be Sc
cured with every Republican voter at the
polls Let us have that majority