Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-07-05
.uR. BILLI,vGs's SPEECH.

The speech of Mr.. Billings in the Repub-
lican Convention at Montpelier, after his
defeat as candidate for Governor, and
which so won the hearts of all present as
to turn defeat into victory, is thus made
quately reported by the Burlington Free
Press:
Mr.. Billings said he did not come here
burning with desire to be nominated for
Governor by this convention, but inspired
with the truest snthusiasm rog the Repas-
lican cause and determined to abide the de-
cision, what ever 1t might lie. If the can
vass had been conducted in an over san
guine manner ii was not his fault, but the
result of warm friendships. Certainly,
said he, / have not contributed with my
personal advice to 1t. ! was prepared to
withdraw from the canvass at any time
when it should be thought desirable to re-
store harmony,-and now to the result
submit without bitterness of heart or sore
ness Of head. But for an unfortunate mis-
understanding at the outset, my name
would not have appeared in the list of can
didates. The question TO be decided was
Governor. l believe the great mass of the
people TO be in favor of the one term policy.
Whatever faults may have been charged TO
me, do not believe among them TO have
been a desire for Office. Since the days
oil the elder Chittenden, the first and most
honored of the line, Vermont has had thir-
ty Govern ors. Among them all, not one
could have desired the Office less than /
have. and none could have been more
grateful for such an unsolicited testimonial
than 1. My regard for Vermont is none
the less because ii is not great State. I
have lived in greater ones; but this was
| the home of my early years. No son of
| this fair land could have been more proud
of her history, her good name, than |. No
| continent nor sea has ever been so wide as
to separate me from you, nor induce me
| for moment to forget my native State. To
have been child of Vermont, to have
been reared in this pure air, and in this
true and pure and Christian community is
priceless privilege. Wherever his lot is
cast, no loyal son of the State can refuse 10
ack knowledge his debt TO her, or to defend
| her fair fame. As for me, when nearly
half IA score of years ago. left the place of
my sojourn on the Pacific, and set my face
towards Vermont, to make thcnceforth my
home and abiding place here, il was with
health SO broken that / did moi expect TO
be living now. Restored by the pure and
| wholesome air of our Green hills, owe to
Vermont not only life given, but life re
newed.
Mr.. Billings went ON to allude with
strong feeling to the kindnesscs he had Ie-
ceived, when young man, struggling
with poverty, for three years he had held
Office at the State Capital, and to the re-
markable kindness which had been shown
to him personally throughout this canvass.
He took Il as an added kindness. that I'M
der the circumstances they should have
called him into this convention and accord
cd TO him so cordial greeting. For all he
returned his beartieSt thanks. He declar-
ed again his cheerful acquiescence in the
verdict. He trusted that whoever had
said an unkind word concerning him,
would learn that there was no occasion for
il. There must be no heart burnings as
they separated. Let US all, said he, go hence
| W III lllgu lut VI Jul pai'y
to close up the ranks, aud keep our State
in her old position in the front ranks of re-
publican supremacy. Let us part good
friends. And through whatever changes
of leadership and Of parties, above politics,
and parties, and private interests, let 1t be
our infinite ambition TO maintain the char
acter of our State as pure, upright, intel
llgent and Christian commonwe 18th. Aud
may our State ever abide strong in the
faith.
This eloquent and pathetic effort of Mr..
Billings was too much for the audience
many were actually in tears. The applause
at almost every sentence was prolonged
and tumultuous. At the close Judge Shaw
said it was prouder thing to have made
such a speech as the one they had just lis
tened TO. than TO be the governor of any
state. Mr.. Slade, who presented Gov. Stew
art rs candidate, and who had been tho
Governors heartiest hacker, rushed to Mr.
Billings upon the stage, and saying: 81
will not forget this speech two years hence,
shook Mr.. Billings hand with the utmos
cordially, and with three hearty cheers fol
Friedrich Billings, proposed by twenty
men at once in different parts of the Hall
the convention adjourned.
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