Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-05-02
The EEnss Convention of the
sEEiberaIs.o

more, making three thousand in all, had
been engaged for the meeting OF the
Liberal Republican Mass Convention,
Saturday Notwithstanding this, the
convention was compelled to assemble
elsewhere. At one o'clock p. m, the
hour appointed, high wind prevailed
filling the air with clouds of dnst rem
dering "any of the public places or
parks in the village" both inconvenient,
unpleasant and unsuitable for holding OF
MASS or any other conventions, and the
place of gathering was accordingly
changed to the Bardwell House Hall.
At precisely 90 minutes past one
o'clock Saturday afternoon, April 9th,
1872. 1--WE are thus exact as to time as
we are recording history in pursuance
of call signed by Hjrty-seUen ''inde-
pendent Republican voters" and urging
Let there be full attendance" se0en-
teen persons, including those to whom
| the call was addressed democrats and
| spectators, assembled in MASS cOnven-
| ton, at the Bardwell House Hall, and
were called to order by lockwood Bar
| rett.
On motion of Charles Clement, Hon.
| Seneca NJ. Dorr of Rutland was elected
| President of the Convention.
On taking the chair Mr.. Dorr pro-
cceded to return thanks to the cOnven-
/ ton, and to express his regrets for the
/ small attendance. A report of the
| speech of Mr.. DOrr, as re05sed by himself
/ is herewith given:
MR.. DORIS SPEECH
| | thank you gentlemen for the honor
| YOU have done me in calling me to pre-
| side over your deliberations We have
assembled to-day as Republicans for
/ the purpose of organizing within the
ranks of the Republican party the first
/ Republican reform association in the
/ State of VermOnt-an organization
which shall be independent of all pOliti-
cal parties, and which [ trust and be-
/ lieve will, exercise "a salutary, and con-
trolling influence, in the politics of the
State and nation.
Senator Edmtnds has lately annOunc-
ed to the country, that three-fOurths of
the people of Vermont are in favor of
the denomination of General Grant for
the Presidency. This organization this
day established will, in my judgment,
demonstrate that the Senator has mis-
taken the character Of the people whose
opinions he assumes to represent.
| think that the people of the country
are not trammeled by party ties as they
were in the days of Jackson, Clay and
Van Buren, for they have learned by the
bitterest experience to love justice and to
hate corruption no matter where they
find it. In the ablest speech that has
been delivered in Congress, on the sub
icct of civil service reform, our member
Mr.. Willard said in substance, that the
fearful alternative was presented to-day
Of a revolution within the ranks of the
Republican party or a revolution by the
people BY all the ties that bind the
patriot to liberty. law and country, lam
in favor Of the first and opposed to the
last.
1t is therefore that I am with you
here to-day, to invite the Republicans of
Vermont to a higher political life, and a
nOblcr political destiny. 1t is no new
position, nor a new theme on which !
speak to-day, for, since the day that the
people seemed to be powerless in the
hands Of Office holders,I have not ceased
toprotcst and since this Unsuitable horde
have been let loose. with relentless fury
upon those men.WhO in the darkest days
of the Republican party were not only
its founders, and foundations, but its
pillars. its supcrstruCture and its strength
| have not ceased to plead, by words
and pen, against such political suicide
and injustice.
/ - - :, I
dav. when almost alone. Charles Sum-
ner. the man chosen of God and the
People to lift them from the degrade
ton of their national life. was stricken
down in the Senate Of the United States.
nor cam you ever forget that other dark
and drcary dav. when the same Charles
sumner who had ground the heather
gods of slavery into dust-led the Israel
Of the Republic into the land of political
promise. and established it firmly in the
principles of liberty and Justice. was
for the second time stricken down in the
Senate of the United States.
The power thus sweetly tasted, from that
hour has been relentless. His defenders
have been traduced. viIlified and Ostra-
cised. Political bodies, State. county,
and even local conventions have been
controlled by the iron hand of men in
power, while the people see the fair her
itage Of the republican party desolated
and desccratcd by hands unworthy to
minister at its affairs. Sumner. and
Greeley, and Trumbull. and Schurz, and
Logan, and Palmer, men whose names
are household words in the nation, are
denounced and dcfied as "sGorched. and
dcSOlate and blasted souls" fit only ''tO
rot and mOulder in the winds and rains of
Heaven"
We are here to-day as Republicans, to
organize and build up an association of
Republicans whOshall support advanced
principles Of Republican reform. pro-
claiming our adhesion to those cherished
principles to which we have devoted the
best energies of our lives. or take them
with Us into the atmosphere of a new or
ganiZatiOn, where they can expand into
a new life, which shall be at once the
glory and salvation of the nation.
What do we propose to do? Our posi-
ton cannot be better stated than Mr..
Greeley has defined his own:
l. If there shall be Democratic candi-
dates for President and President in
the ncld, we purpose to support that Re
publican ticket which seems most likely
to succeed.
,. If the main issue in the canvass shall
be Protection against Free Trade. we shall
no matter rs to the candidates-be found
on the side of Protection.
3, But If as we hope and expect there
shall be two Republican tickets. and none
other, presented with any hope of success
we snail faNor that one whose election will
be in our Judgment most likely to promote
economy in public expenditure. purity of
legislation and in administration subStan-
tlal unanimity in unfolding for all citizens
a complete equality of rights under the
law, and the return of fraternal concord
and mutual good viii between those who
We're arrayed against each other in SAN
culinary strife throughout our great civil
war. ~
Following where these positions lead.
we propose to send delegates to Cincin-
natl who shall represent us there. and if !
we are forced to such an alternative we
shall have an electoral ticket in the field
our candidates for State and county
officers and Snnntnrc nrI .o,......-.1 /