Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1872-05-15
Miscellany.
Speech OF Hon. Frederick Billings.
AT TnE VERMONT RKP. STATE CONVENTION

some States, give to conventions confic-
ting delegates and troublesome Prelimiua-
ry questions aud 20 compel the selection
OF skiliul presiding officer. Indeed, so
easy always is the organization of con-
veniion here that when, in addition, the
work to be done, as in the present instance
is simple, any member Of the convention
can perfectly well preside over its delib-
erations. As | participate, however, in
the dOings of political convention Of my
native State now for the first time for
nearly quarter ola century, l cannot
help treating my call to the chair as
token ofklnd emembrance, and 1 beg
leave to give you, as do give you, my
thanks for the compliment you pay me.
have said the work of the convention
is simple, and so it is. To be sure, this
is the Presidential year-a year of con-
flicls and conventions, of proposed new
departures and new organizations; and,
what with the conspicuous names heralded
at times in connection with new movc-
Inents, to one shutting both eyes and lis
tening with only one ear, it may be a se-
rious question il the old foundations are
not all broken up, aud then what are we
all to do? This very day there assembled
in the Garden City Of the West, two con-
ventious, aud with one are associat cd
honored names, high up on the roll of the
history Of the Republican party. There
have been other conventions. There
may be others still. But the Republicans
Of Vermont, while keeping eyes on all aud
praying that no evil may come from any,
look to the convention to be held at Phil
adelphia, on the 9th day of june, fer the
authoritative expression of the principles
aud policy Of the Republicans of the ma.
ton and the selection of their candidates
for the Presidential struggle.
Aud they do so because they are hon.
estly aud intelIigeDtly convinced that the
highest political welfare ofthe nsti.n de-
mards the continued asccndency of the
party that fought the war for the saliva
|
ton of the nation, carried it successfully )
through, and then, graphing with the
imperous questions resulting from the wal
has borne on its shoulders the work o
readiusimeGt to the new life. They be
leve that IN 10 other course is there safe
ty; that vital questions not yet perma
nently settled render it foolish, if no
criminal. TO try experiments.
No one can claim that the Republican
party. as such is to live forever on the
old issues alone. 1t grew out of the
avowed will Of Slavery to dominate th'
republic. When the Great War came
there was a fusion Of all parties. AL
were enlisted under the old banner wit
we're determined on the preservation o
the Union, to the defeat Of Slavery. Ev
erythng else was secondary. And so. il
the National Army and the people VIII
stood behind it, there was no division o
opinions as to the policy and adminisIra
ton of the Government as in reacefu
times, because of the great overshadow
ing question: Shall there be Govern
ment to be administered in peaceful time
at all
And have always thought that whe
the war was over, and slavery extermi
mated, aud the Government was safe, an
there was no chance Of jeopardy to tn
achievements of the war. no risk of vic
laton of obligations rsulting from th
r. war when the necessary amendments I
the Constitution were made, and unqua
iiedIy respected, and equal rights wer
IN fact as we'll as in name secure to al
and every dollar Of the National del
was. as some one has said, las sacred Q
) soldiers grave'-when the Republi ca
party had accomplished its original obj e'
and great deal more, then, hav
thought, the original elements of the pal
tv would to certain extent re-assel
themselves, and because of this, and ne
issues arising, there might be re-adjus
ment somewhat, of party platforms an
party lines.
| say of new issues arising, becaus
they are arising, have already ariseI
r and will ever aeise. And the natiol
standing in the presence of new aims al
aspirations, now hopes and duties. mu
meet these issues, nor attempt to derid
or evade them. The world moves an
the men and parties who do not move tt
will be run over and crushed out. B'
while have thought party lines won
\ be constructed somewhat anew, | hay
hoped the Republican party, sloughiI