Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-30
BristOw in Vermont.

made the tour Of Vermont just completed
by ex-Secretary Bristow, he could not have
been received with higher honors. Indeed,
at every place Burlington, st. Adams,
Montpelier, st. ,Iohnsbury, Bratteboro and
Rutland-the people came out by thousands,
and the immense audiences were genuine
representatives of the state. Mr.. Bristow
was surprised at the intelligence which
beamed from every face, and the perfect order
which characterized every assembly There
were crowds Of enthusiastic people but no
disorder, no drunkenness, no profanity, no
indecorum in word or deed "Why, said he
d" I wondered at first whether you had not
selected the best from among your people for
exhibition" Certainly he had never before
seen men aud women, anywhere assembled,
who were equal to them.
But these grand ovations to Mr.. Brstow
were not accepted 10y him in any sense as
personal, but rather as testimony to the
answering fidelity Of Vermont to the prin-
cipes which he came to advocate, aud which,
we cannot help saying, he did advocate with
power rarely equaled and dignity never
excelled. lie used none Of the arts Of the
demagogue-uone Of the tricks Of the polit-
ical harlequin Of the surprises of the
thimble-rigger. Daniel Webster in his
gravcst mood, when he utterly forgot him
self, and remembered only his country, was
not more sincere and earnest and selflorget-
full than is Mr.. Bristow. The first choice,
as he was, of the delegates Of Vermont, for
the Presidency, he would have been pardon.
able had he talked about that, and gushed
with gratitude to Vermont for the highest
compliment any man can receive. But he
never sought the Presidency indeed,
sought any office whatever, but in every in
which he has filled. So, too, he had moth
ing to say of the Presidency for the future,
but always when that subject was limited at,
even in private conversation, he repealed it
as a thing which he could not so much as
think about
Butas to the meetings. There We're at least
ten thousand people in Montpelier last
Wednesday include both Republicans
and democrats and these all can testify that
a better political meeting never has been
seen in Vermont. We think it was some
what the largest of the series from Burling
ton to Rutland, but at every place there was
the same general outpouring of the people,
the same good order and the same enthusi-
asn for liberty and union, one and insep-
arabic, now aud forever" At st. Iohnsbury
Messrs Bristow, Poland and Benham spoke
in the afternoon, and in the evening a second
and very large out-of-door meeting was adj
dressed by Hon. +. z. Walton, Lieutenant
Governors Martin and lIinckley, and Judge
Benham At Brattleboro Hon. Dudley c.
Denison took the place of Judge Poland,
and Hon. Dorman b. Eaton, Of New Yorl,
city was added 10 the list of speakers.
Most of our readers know Mr.. Eaton as one
of their own felow-citizens, but possibly, do
not know that he has a thorough acquaint-
ance with Samuel J. Tilden as a lawyer a
politician and man. Without an unkind
word of Tilden personally, and without once
abiding to the public charges which impugn
his honesty, Mr. Eaton, by statement OF
facts within his own knowledge, thoroughly
scalped and skinned and scarifed Samuel j
Tilden, the politician and Presidential can
didate Eaton's indictment was terrible and
unanswerabc. The evening meeting was
addressed by the gentlemen who spoke al
st. Adams On Saturday the same party
met at Rutland another grand rally, owe
which Governor Page presided. There Mr.
Brstow pleaded hoarseness through mucl
speaking in the open air, and promised only
brief speech but, after speaking a few
minutes, he was interrupted by Solomon w
Jewett, democrat, with an impertnen
question, which at once put Mr. Bristow il
a new attitude. His answer was instant anC
crushing There were cries in the crowd t,
put Jewett out, when Mr.. Bristow at onc
said, Never-Vermont is the place for fire.,
men and free speech Inspired by these in
cidents with fresh vigor, he forgot his voice
and completed his speech with more THAI
usual force. Lieutenant-Governo Under
wood joined the party at Rutland, and spok
very briefly, for want of time. He is, how
ever, to visit Rutland again, and speak there
as are also Messrs. Eyarts and Stoughton, o
New York city.
On the whole, Vermont never has ha'
+ more notable meetings than the six held las
I week, and the indications are of the mos
T. cheering character, indicating determin;
/. ton of the Republicans to give full yot
e ON Tuesday next, and lead the great RI
!, publican party of the Union on to victor
4 in November.