Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-07-24
Washington County Convention.


be present, and to participate in the deliber-
atoms and action OF the meeting. It would
be pleasant and seems desirable, to have a
general attendance Of the freemen of the
respective towns of the county upon that
gathering
We are by no means certain that, 50 far
as the selection of county ticket is con-
cerned, Mass Convention is preferable to
one composed Of delegates chosen by the
various towns in their previous primary
meetings The loss of time and the expense
necessarily attendant on getting together, at
some central locality. the entire people of
widely separated municipalities, for the
transaction of business pertaining 70 the
general good, early led our fathers to adopt
a system of representation by which the
people Of each municipality could assemble
within their own borders and delegate to
some suitable person the right to act for
them in an assembly composed of like repre-
sentati7es from the other municipalities.
We believe firmly in the sovereignty of the
individual, and that, so far as practicable,
each and every man should have a direct
voice in establishing the laws by which he is
to be governed and in selecting the officers
that are to execute those laws. But expect
ence has shown us that it is frequently best
and often necessary, that the many, acting in
their sovereign individuality, dele gate this
right to one or more suitable persons to carry
out their wishes, protect their individual
rights, and provide for the general welfare,
in an Assem- blage composed of similar dele
gates from other sections of a common con-
federation. Delegate Conventions are but
Ofshoots of our system of town representa-
tion in the General Assem- bly,. They came
in vogue simply because the people saw
the folly and frequently the impracticabilitY
of going ten, twenty, or fifty miles to accom-
plish that which could better be done at
home or within one, three or six miles of
home For it should be borne in mind that
our mass conventions, as usually carried on,
come to be delegate meetings when the tickets
are made up. The usual nominating com
mittee of two from each town, is simply
committee with delegated powers to act for
such voters Of their respective towns as
chance to be present in the convention.
Those freemen who cared not to or could not
leave their farms and workshops have no
representation or voice in the nominations
thus made. Quite likely had the delegates
on that nominating committee been selected
at primary meetings held in each town, they
would have represented thrice the number of
voters they do when chosen after arriving at
the seat of the convention
Most readers will recall many instances in
which raarti=an aErifA far some petty place
on County ticket, has resulted in bring
ing out to a mass convention every party
voter of town some twenty milesifrom the
place Of meeting. And the only question
that the entire vo ting population could be
called upon to decide was, who shall repre-
sent that town on the nominating com
mittee? 1t is idle to contend that that
question could not have been better and more
readily decided at home. 1t was not wisdom
that made it necessary to drag voters twenty
miles away to determine which Office seeker
had the majority Of home friends.
But we had no intention of arguing the
relative merits of mass or delegate conven-
tIons when we took up our pen. We only
desired to impress upon our Republican
brethren the desirability of coming out en-
maSSe to the Convention next Saturday. Let
the gathering be rousing one. Democracy
has swallowed Greeley and the Cincinnati
platform, or DR.. Greeley has gulped down
the old copperhead party of the rebellion.
a..
which the toad. And it makes but little
difference now with Republicans which is
swallowed or which the swallower. We
must meet the monstrosity and strangle it in
the coming election. We ought to bury it
beneath wave of popular Indignation where
its hideous, Shiny folds will vex Republican
America no more. 1t Is important that YER
mont deals the viper it's heaviest blow But
two States hold an election before that of the
I" Star that never SETS" Let the Vermont
trumpet speak for Republicanism next Sep
TENDER with no wavering or uncertain
sound. We can make our majority for
Grant 900 if we but SO will il, and begin
the work auspiciously next Saturday. The
amalgamationists are boasting largely oil
sccessiOns from the Republican ranks. Most
of their boast is the merest bluff and the
widest vagsry.
We have not had County Convention for
two years. Let US come together next
Saturday as the waves of the sea come, only
stronger, and more determined to enguli
those who seek now to undo all that it took
five years of strife, millions of treasure and
the best blood of the North to accomplish.
There will be good speeches by prominent
gentlemen present. An enthusiasm for Grant
and Wilson and the Republican cause may
be awakened that shall permeate every nook
and corner of Washington County and there
by bring out our fall vote in the approaching
election. We are glad that the Convention
of Saturday is mass gathering. Let the
masses come out and receive refreshing in
the Republican faith. We can afford at this
time to give one day to the country, and
show the coalitionists that Republicanism
is neither dead nor sleeping.
Perhaps it is unnecessary to say anything
as to the men that shall be placed on the
Republican County ticket next Saturday.
1t is the great beauty OF our Republican
system of government that every citizen has
the right TO aspire TO, and, if found competent
and qualified, to receive an election to, any
Office within the gift Of the people. This
theory supported and supplemented by the
excellent educational facilities of the State,
makes a large majority of our voters suitable
candidates for any of the places upon the
ticket. Probably all the aspirants for politi-