Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-01-20
Gen. Grants Cabinet.

Ntns UiuHt tdDlllbt.
The thousand and one theories and specu-
lations concerning the composition of the
cabinet under the incoming administration
are Of course, other expressly or implicitly,
put forth subject to the paramount considera-
ton of the public welfare and interest That
is, admitted that given individual is better
qualified than any other for particular post
in the cabinet, then all considerations Of
personal or sectional character ought to yield
at once to the infinitely higher claims of the
country. But, with candidates equally well
qualified in every respect, it seems that other
considerations may with proprety and justice
be brought into the account, and have their
due weight in determining these appoint
ments.
A vast deal of speculation is going on, and
many conflicting claims are set up, as to rho
nominated Gen. Grant. We suggest that
much more pertinent aud profitable inquiry
would be-icho elected Gen Grant for
what would a nomination be worth - aud who
would claim It's paternity-uness it was sup
plemented by an election2 During the Pres
idential canvass, and while the great verdict
hung trembling in the balance the question
was debated with great olicitude-Who nom
mated Horatio Seymour? But who ,iouo
asks or cares who nominated him Doubt
less Seymour himself wishes the man had
never been born
Who, then, elected Gen. Grant? Why,
says one, the American people, by popular
majority of three hundred thousand, and three
iourths of the electoral votes True, but
closer inspection reveals the startling fact
that change Of but thirty or fortythousand
rotes would have elected Horatio Seymour
Now what sared these votes to Grant, and
the seventy-fve electoral votes which they
carried with them2
Every intelligent Republican, doubtless, in
reviewing the late campaign, is surprised at
our narrow escape from disastrous defeat.
Various causes-which can now be more
clearly discerncd, but which it would be use.
less to enumerate-combined TO place the re-
suit in great doubt; aud nothing less than the
utmost wisdom and prudence, not only in the
selection of its candidates and construction of
its platform, but especially in the conduct of
The campaign, could have saved the party
from disastrous result. Particularly in the
great central and Western States, which
proved to be SO nearly balanced, and whose
votes were to determine the contest, was this
state of things in some measure foreseen.
The enemy had here, with great adroitness,
laid their plans broad and deep, with a de-
termination to win at all hazards In this
emergency the eyes Of our friends in those
hotly-contested fields were turned with the in
tensest solicitude to those States which were
first to lead off in the popular verdict. We
have 1t from those who participated in the
canvass in Pennsylvania, that the judgment
of those best informed with reference to the
result in that great State--the Keystone of
the arch,-was, that nothing short of favor
able verdict in the elections preliminary to
the iinal struggle, could save them from being
overwhelmed. Vermont mas 10 lead The COL
ann. Her soldiers had been the brayest
among the brave, Her flag had never been
struck to the enemy. Would she now be
true to her record, aud vote as she fought
She had no doubtful contest to stimulate her
10 exertion. No eloquent speakers were sent
to stir up her people, for they were all needed
elsewhere With all this responsibility at.
taching to the election, she was left to her
own comprehension OF the situation, aud her
own management of the campaign.
The day Of trial came and the result fully
demonstrated that the confidence reposed in
the intelligence and integrity of our people
was in no wise misplaced. From this over.
whelmng popular condemnation of disloyalty
and Reputation in all It's FORMS open or
covert, our friends everywhere took heart
again, and rallied for the fnal victory. Tae
enemy saw the handwriting on the wall, and
from that day their doom was sealed
-N6 oNShin piaihSi " our inlnu tnan
that, among all the causes which combined to
produce the suspicious result which attended
the late presidential election, no one cause
deserves more prominence than the keynote
which was sounded by Vermont in her Sep.
TENDER election and that in filling the posi-
tons Of honor and t.ust in the new admins.
tration, her claims to honorable notice are
deserving Of favorable consideration. That
she has several distinguished citizcus whose
qualifications for positions in the new cabinet
will not suffer in comparison with those of
any other section of the country, we fully be.
ieye and we trust that, at the proper time
and in inappropriate manner, the claims of
the State for such position may be pre-
aeDted
~ We learn that the interest Of DIR. s. Put
nam In the drug store Of Messrs. 5. Putnam 4
Co, OF this village, has been repurchased By