Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-08-16
Trouble Among the Vermont De-
mocracy.


The recent Democratic State Conven-
ton was run mainly by that choice spirit
who formerly ran the machine in this
place, and who in 1861 declared that our
national troubles could only be settled con
the basis Of the Montgomery [secesh1
constitution" whereat some Of the YER
mont Democracy have the independence
to bolt, and declare they win not follow
the lead of the distinguished Vermont cop
perhead and his eoadjutor at Milton. AT
the time the convention was held, much
disafiection was apparent, hard names
called, and 10 fact an unusual amount of
truth told about each other. Tie name of
John l., Edwards Of Derby, a man but
little known in the State, was thrust upon
the convention as candidate for govern
or, in preference TO L. J. Phelps, of Bur-
lington, an able man and well known as d
lawyer in the front rank of the Vermont
bar, ard though the name of Mr. Phelps
would doubtless have gwen more charac-
ter TO the democratic ticket, we are not
aware of any difference of principle be-
tween the two. 1t is therefore the revival
OF an old war between the " Cowboys y
and stump tails, Of some eigh; or nine
years ago. In other words portion of
the party repudiate TIE selfconstituted
leadership at Milton and Montpelier. The
Rutland Courier leads cfr in this demo-
cratic bolt, and has now pulled down the
name of Edwards and hoisted that of
Phelps for governor. A few weeks since,
the Courier had the following
Edwarls--Smith & Atkins candidate for
Governor ought certainly TO run well, because
there is nobody in this part of the State who
knows anything about him. and therefore knows
nothing bad about him. Some Republicans try to
make people believe that he lives in Canada, but
this Is not so. He resides on the Vermont side
of the line We wish that he would accompany
the circus through Western and Southern Ver-
mont, that people could see him, whom they have
never heard OF. Tho State Committee ought to
show Him 10 the people, and Chairman Smith
ought 70 be hired 10 introduce him to the Democ.
racy We have attended all the Democratic State
Conventions for the last twentv-three years, but
never heard Of John +. Edwards nor saw him.
we hope he is white man, and would like to
know certain Whether he is Democrat.
/, Smith 4 Atkins, who are now trying TO run the
Democratic party into the ground or in other
words, keep il so conveniently small that they can
4 manage it, may cndeayor TO read us out Of the
party, for the above remarks; but honestly and
sincerely, We must say, that ii is humiliating &c
old democrats TO vote for men they do not know
and never heard of in little seven BY nine State
! like Vermont, where each and every prominen
Democrat ought to know the other"
The Courier follows this up the mex
week. saying that Smith s. Atkins have
made themselves appear ridiculous in the
way they have run our State Conventions
for several years, and the Democrats o
Western Vermont will submit to it ne
longer
] In still later issue Mr.. Cain declare,
that he " asks no favors inside or outside
| the democratic party" and nominatei
Grant for President and Phelps for GOV
| ernor, thus;
:" In this issuc of the Courier we place the nam
of General Grant at the head Of our columns 70
President of the United States in 1868, and tina
Of +. j. Phelps, Of Burlington, for Governor 0
Vermont. 1t may be that neither of these gen
tlemen would accept q nomination. but 1t is YER
certain that they cannot prevent the people iron
voting for them"
Thus the great democratic party O
Vermont is rent in twain, perhaps the m os
important event in the history of that
party in this State, since the head leader
al Montpelier issued an extra in this vii
lagc in December, 1860, announcing will
evident satisfaction the secession of Scutl
Carolina.