Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-05-10
gellows falls Times,
BELLOWS FALLS, MAY 10, 1872.
SPEECH OF


! HON. FREDERICK BILLINGS
BEFORE THE REPUBLICAN STATE con-
vENTIoN, AT BELLOWS FALLS, MAY /,
1872.
Gentlemen of the Convention:
The Republican party of Vermont is
not afflicted with the divisions which, in
some States, give to conventions conflict
ing delegates and troublesome prelimin
AIRY questions and, so compel the selec-
ton of skiliiul presiding officer. To-
deed, so easy always is the organization
of a convention here that when, in ad-
diton, the work to be done, as in the
present instance, is simple, any member
Of the convention can perfectly well pre-
side over its deliberations. As l par.
ticipate, however, in the doings of pol
itical convention of my native State now
for the FIRST time for nearly quarter OF
a century, cannot help treating my call
to the chair as token of kind remem-
brance, and beg leave to give you, as !
do give you, my thanks for the compli
meut you pay me.
i / have said the work of the conven-
tion is simple, and so it is. To be sure,
this is the Presidential year--a year OF
conflicts and conventions, of proposed
new departures and organizations and,
what with the conspicuous names herali-
ed at times in connection with new move
ments, to one shutting both eyes and
listening with only one ear, it may be a
serious question if the old foundations
arc not all broken up, and, then, what
are we all to do? This very day there
assemble in the Garden City of the West
two conventions, and with one are asso-
ciated honored names, high up on the
roll of the history of the Republican
party. There have been other conven-
tions. There will be Others still. But
the Republicans of Vermont, while keep
! ing eyes on all and praying that no evil
. may come from any, look to the conven-
ton to be held in Philadelphia, on the
9th day of June, for the authoritative
expression of the principles and policy
) of the Republicans of the nation, and
the selection of their candidates for the
Presidential struggle.
And they do so because they are hon
, estly and intelligently convinced that
. the highest political welfare of the ma
ton demands the continued ascenden-
cy of the party that fought the war for
the salvation of the nation, carried it
successfully through, and then, graphing
4 with the imperious questions resulting
E from the war, has borne on its shoulders
the work of readjustment to new life
: They believe that in no other course there
is safety; that vital questions not YET
: permanently settled make it foolish il
\ not 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 the
republic. When The Great War came
there was fusion of parties. All were
= enlisted under the old banner who were
n determined on the preservation of tht
Union, to the defeat of Slavery. Every
: thing else was secondary. And SO, il
in the National Army, and the peopl'
who stood behind it, there was no divis
4 ion of opinions as to the policy admis
. tration of the Government in peaceful
|. tunes, because of the great overshadow
ing question, shall there be Govern
ment to be administered in peaceful time
at all.
And l have always thought that whel
the war was over, and slavery extermin
ated, that the government was safe, an,
rs there was no chance of jeopardy to tn
- achievements of the war. no risk of vic
lation o: obligations resulting from tn
war-when the necessary amendment
to the Constitution were made, and uu
qualifedly respected, and equal right
he were in fact as well as in name secure t
e all, and every dollar of the Nation
debt was, as some one has said, "as 50
cred as soldiers grave when tn
Republican party had accomplished ii
, original object and a great deal NOR,
then, 1 have thought the original elt
4. ments of the Republican party would, {
rs a certain extent, re-assert themselves, an
a new issues arising, there might be rt
adjustment somewhat of party platform
and party lines.
say of new issues arising, becaus
= they are arising, have already arisen an
D will ever arise. And the nation, stanC
ing in the presence of new aims an
aspirations, new hopes and duties, mu;
n meet these issues, nor attempt to d,
a ride or evade them. The world move
IL aud the men and the parties who do nc
move too will be run over and crushe
out. But while / have thought part
lines would be constructed somewhi
l.