Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-06-24
The state Convention.


The state Convention.
It ismauy a year since the Republicans Of
Vermont held a convention which cquallcd
in numbers, character and interest, that Of
last week--the detailed proceedings OF
which we give on our first page Out oil
total Of some six hundred and fifty dele
gates, FIVE hundred and seventy.fve were
present and answered to their names. And
the high character Of the men comprising
the convention, and the fact that, as a rule,
they came up without any promptings or
manipulation in the interest Of any candi-
date, to represent the spontaneous and un.
Influenced choice Of the people, added un-
speakablc dignity and interest to the oc.
casion, as well as untold significance and
value to its results The decided and un.
expected majority by which Judge Peck
was nominated was not 50 much an ex-
preston against the rival candidates as it
was a testimonial, not only to the disiin.
guished services aud honorable record Of
the learned aud eminent jurist, but also to
the refrcshingly diguifed and delicate man
nor with which he carried himself in re-
spect to his candidacy course strikiugly
10 contrast with the tactics Of some Of the
other candidates, judging from what seemed
to be unmistakabe indications. Toloraby
familiar with those sections Of the State
which controlled the nomination, and hav-
ing taken considerable pains to learn the
precise relations Of the Judge to the can
vas, we challenge contradiction when we
say that, while the high honor Of the nom.
nation was fully appreciated, if bestowed
in she only manner in which his self-respect
would allow him to receive it, he neyerthe-
/ less did not even so much as avow bis can
didacy; he never asked friend to support
him he never sought the advocacy Of a
paper no henchman was sent to manipu-
late caucuses, and not dollar was author.
lied to be paid, or ever icas paid, in our be.
lief, to promote his interests Judge, then
Of the surprise and astonishment with
which that large body of intelligent dele.
gates, well knowing and oppreciating these
facts, listened to the allegation Of Mr.
Henry, Of Chester, that Judge Peck's can.
didacy was the work Of the wire.pulling
politicians and a dictatoria press AnC
while Messrs. Colburn and Sawyer warmly
repealed the slanderous charge, and will
spirit and telling effect, the immediate nom
nation of the Judge, by majority en-
tirely unexpected to his friends, admins
tered by far the most eloquent rebuke.
From the outset, the WATcuMAN warmly
supported Judge Peck, in the full belle
that, taking him as he is, and as his lonl
record is Familiarity known to the people o
Vermont, be filed the bill - of the pub
lie demand for Governor more satisfactorily
than any other gentleman named in tina
connection. The Interpretation we gave tt
the popular will is shown to have been cor
rect and we feel just as confident that tn
people will find themselves fully justi6e'
in their estimate Of the man.
The nomination Of Mr.. Ilinckley for tn
second place on the ticket, was also no re
Election upon the several worthy gentlemen
who contested the field with him, but wa
due TO his extensive acquaintance, large ex
perience in legislative matters, and the uni
form ability and courtesy with which he ha
discharged all his public duties That h
will prove an exceedingly capable and pop
ular presiding officer, no one can for a mo
mcnt question.
Mr. Pages denomination was alread
virtually made prior to the convention
the minds of the peope,-but the unani
nous vote by which it was ratified at Bur
lington must have gratided any man.
With such ticket, we may defy tn
world