Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-04-17
"Reformers'. New York Meeting.

WIS "'N''"k biN"e liNPeiatiVur uah wv"
made, and the announcement that Senators
Schurz and Trumbull, together with other
eminent lights in this new movement we're to
address the meeting, brought out large at
tendance, though how many Of those present
were Democrats, or Grant Republicans at
tracted by curiosity, or those in sympathy
with the Cincinnati movement, it is Of course
impossible to tell with certainty.
The meeting consisted of set speeches from
Senators Trumbull and Schurz, the reading of
an extremely non.committal letter from
Senator Fenton, and a few remarks from
Horace Greeley, 1t does not appear to have
been deficient in enthusiasm nor in substantial
harmony and yet, after reading the very full
reports given in the papers Of the speeches
made, one cannot fail Of being struck with
the vague and unsatisfactory tone which per.
vaded them, and apparently pervaded the
whole meeting. II disclosed no distinct and
positive position, and no fixed and settled
purpose. While some Of its participant. ore
undoubtedly prepared to 60 to any c1ieut to
secure the defeat Of General Grant, others
occupy halfway position, and although
profuse in their good wishes toward the
movement, do not commit themselves by any
irrevocable step. The letter of Senator Fen
ton is of this character. His hostility to
General Grant, eDgendered because Of his
failure to control New York federal appoint
ments, is well understood and he extends his
encouragement to movement, which Mr..
Greeeys call described as outside of regular
party action. He ventures thus far, un.
doubtedly, as part Of his tactics but he
does not indicate that he will separate from
the Republican party
Senator Trumbul who made the chief
speech, went as much farther as he gave
moro countenance to, and more conspicuously
identified himself with the movement He is
well known to be an aspirant for the Presi-
dency. He looks at Cincinnati, because
Cincinnati has been looking somewhat towards
him. And yet even he did not burn the
bridges behind him He made no decara-
ton, so far as we can discover which pre-
cludes him in the end from supporting the
Philadelphia nomination. liz may not do so
lie certainly will not, if he succeeds in secur.
ing the nomination at Cincinnati But this
equiyocal utterance, this careful steering, thi.
wary effort to hit it if it be deer, and miss it
if it be a calf, indicates the uncertain and 10.
definite character of the Cincinnati demon.
stration in the minds even Of some of its
most prominent supporters
The two leading points Of Mr.. Trumbulr.
speech indicate the want of real principle il
this movement His first was fayoring the
remodeliDg the tariff on a free trade basis
and his second was the danger of centrali
cation Of power as embodied in the Ku.
Kux law. And yet behind him sat, and at.
ter him spoke Horace Greeley, the loudes
and longest advocate Of high protective
tariff aud the chief newspaper champion o
the Ku-Klux law. If the Cincinnati move
ment meant the support Of new principles, Mr.
Trumbul and Mr.. Greeley could not stand
together upon the platform there adopted fol
one moment
Mr.. Schurz, who is more committed to III,
movement than any Of his senatorial associ
ates dwelt specially upon the reorganization
of parties, thus revealing what his object was
He deudes himself with the belief that tn,
time has come for the breaking M Of tn,
present parties. and in the new party
which is to spring up from the ruins Of
the old he wants to be the foremost man
The Republican party does not and eau
not deny free speech, or refuse to permit
honest differences Of opinion on non essen
tals. But the decisive fact which mus
condemn any countenance to this movement
is that it wars upon the overwhelming anC
unmistakabe sentiment Of the party, and
that it looks to a coalition with the enemy
There is a point up to which the freest dis
cussion and effort on party nominations and
action are permissible, and there is a point
beyond which they are factious and hostile
And this movement has passed that point,