Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1875-08-20
Miscfllauu.
Frank Blair at the Chicago Wig
wan,

SOihposSu, ilhc all oucH boulco, VI llc
republicans of principle and courage and
those of a timid and perilous "expedi-
ency." 1t was evident in the situation
of the country that, opposed to a haugh-
ty and confident party in full possession
of the government, and threatening its
ruin if they were defeated, the true poll
cy for the republicans was bold declar-
alton of their principles and an appeal
to the national conscience and courage.
The time for trimming and hesitation
had passed. When the committee on
resolutions reported the platform, Mr..
Giddings, of Ohio, moved an amend
ment re-asserting the selfevident
truths of the Declaration of Independ-
ence. Mr.. Carter, of Ohio, strenuously
objected that the convention might as
we'll re-assert the Ten Commandments
Another gentleman joined in opposition,
and no one sustaining the amendment,
probably fearing that any discussion Of
the platform or change in it might lead
to unexpected and undesirable results,
Mr.. Ashmun, the president, eagerly put
the question, and with evident satisfac-
ton declared the amendment lost Mr..
Giddings and his friends thereupon rose
to withdraw from the convention. As
they passed the seats of the New York
delegation, one of its members, seeing in
their departure the retirement of the
strong, aggressive anti-slavery element,
which was indispensable in the impend-
ing contest as really the soul of the re-
publican party, and feeling that nothing
could more fatally discourage that party
and all brave Sons of Liberty " in the
Union than the knowledge that the con-
vention had been afraid in that national
exigency to repeat the words of the Dec
laration as its political creed, and had
actually rejected them when offered,
stopped Mr.. Giddings and begged him
to remain, as he would offer substantially
the same amendment.
Sending word to the chair that he
wished to be recognized as soon as posi-
bic, the member rose, and Mr.. Ashmun
not expecting that anything would pro
ceed from the New York delegation that
could disturb the convention, immedi-
ately gave the New Yorker the floor, and
he renewed Mr.. Gidding's amendment
merely changing its form so as to include
the opening words of the Declaration
Instantly there was an uproar, and the
point of order was vociferously made
that the convention had just virtually
passed upon the same amendment. Mr.
Ashmun, eagerly as before, and with an
air of irritation that the trouble should
have been renewed, decided the point tc
be well taken, and passed peremptorily
to the next business. During the read
ing of the platform and the debate upor
the amendment of Mr.. Giddings, th'
member from New York had observed
at the end of the seat opposite his own
upon the aisle, and but few feet from
him, sturdy, sandy-haired man, who
sat carelessly swinging one leg and foo
over the arm of the seat, and squirting
tobacco juice upon the floor, apparently
Indifferent to everything that took place
But as Mr.. Ashmun peremptorily ruled
the sandy-haired man made a sudder
spring, raised himself erect upon his feet
standing ON the seat, and with voic,
that commanded the chair so that he in
stinctively turned and could not helI
recognizing the speaker, exclaimed, "Mr
President ! Z" Mr.. Ashmun responded
"The gentleman from Missouri" 9"
rise to point of order" "The gentle
man will state it." My point is tha
the amendment of the gentleman from
Ohio was to one clause of the resolutions
and that of the gentleman from Ney
York to another, and that the question
therefore, has not been decided by tn
convention" The point was indisputa
BILE. Mr.. Ashmun saw it, and said, cold
ly, The gentleman's point is well taken
and the gentleman from New York ha
the floor" The amendment was renew
ed, a few words were said in support Q
it, and the convention, now understand
ing the situation, reversed its previou
E vote, and with enthusiastic unanimit
$ adopted the amendment, while Mr.. Gid
ding and his friends resumed their seat
! in the convention.
The sturdy, sandy-haired delegate wa
E Frank Blair" and it was he who thu
saved to the republican platform of 1S6
4 the consecrating phrases of the Declara
i ton, and to hearty cooperation with tn
, republican party the original anti SLAYER
: sentiment.-Harper's Weekly.
1t should be added to this, that tn
, member of the New York delegation
Il