Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-05-05

pie. high aspiration or sound political Wis
do,n and filed with damnation OF Demo-
crats coupled with insincsre fawnings and
even sickeninR laudation Of Gen. Grant A
committee was appointed, whose fesoiu-
tions. il is but Just to say, were more saga
oious than the presidents speech, though
they we're trustworthy mainly Tor what
thew aid mot contain. Vice-Presidents were
elected. hut for what possible reason nobody
could diyine-not even the vice presidents
themselves who seemed very 10th to appear
upon the stage, and only did 30 Tor SNORT
time in the forenoon at the president Ut
gent request. But their function may nave
been, as each one represented county, 10
show the politicians inherent respect ior
geography. A very safe letter from Sena-
tor Morrill, was read. lie condemned tne
Democrats most vigorously, jOked pleasant
Iy about Belknap and did scarce anything
else. Likewise Judge Poland in his speech
Campaign stock is rather low when proml-
nent partizans can present no other reasons
for party success than what are merely neg
atiye. One party's fitness for popular sup
port is not proved by the opposite party 5
unworthinesS. But.sO the managers seemed
to think on convention day. Alter ms
speech, Judge Poland was unanimously
elected State delegate to Cincinnati COL
Veazey, of Rutland was likewise unani-
mou-ly elected. Likewise George Howe, OF
Brattleboro. Likewise. finally. George H..
Bigelow, Of Burlington. The nominations
of the several district conventions were also
unanimously adopted. The convention was
very unanimous. to use hOmely COMPARE
son, unanimous as hen with one cnlfken'
Except the little ripple OF excitement pro-
duced by Capt. Harrington on the pre7enta-
Il knrH n HTFrn
was undisturbed.
Both conventions, District and State, have
been severely criticised. the one Tor accept
| ing. the other for adopting, the nomination
| of Woodbridge. But members felt there
was little more objection to him than TO
some who had already been elected lie Is
able, well-knOwn and, though OF an unsa-
worry reputation, can, If he will, be an ex-
| cellent delegate. OF other delegates that
| day elected It cannot b5 said that thew are
well known, even in their own State. Much
less can they have any influence in national
conventions.
Heie Is the real fault of the delegation as
a whole. IL has no national reputation.
/ Judge Poland i the only state delegate tt
| for the place. Except as be Is made the
chief and spokesman Of our delegation.
| Vermont can have no influence at Cincin-
natl. Not but that the rest are excellent
men. Indeed, from personal acquaintance
we know some of them 10 be men OF rare
! business and professional ability and admi-
rable IN social relations. But responsibility
and esteem in his own neigh0orhoOd enti-
ties no man TO claim high State position
against the manifest wish Of the people.
| Offices are places Of honor and responsible
ty due only 10 those whom the people know
and from what they know are willing TO
trust. There i TOO much Ofhce-seeking now
a-days Some wOrlhy gentleman takes a
notion he would ike ID be Governor or 90
TO Congress. Straightway ne suggests 1t 10
small circle of " friends politicians
call them-whO thereupOn begin vigorous
campaign. writing letters, - seeing people
and in divers ways manufacturing what
they delight to call public sentiment IN
hIs favor. Possibly these artificial friends
/ control a convention, secure The nOmlna-
ton and carry the election. Then their
/ self-suggested candidate takes MS seat and
peddles out the patronage Of his Office
among those whom he has thus hired TO
elect him. By this system Of politician
e friendship many delegates chosen al
Burlington were thrust upon the conyen-
/ ton. Then everything was cut and dried
- that nothing could be done amiss. The
! machine tenders were out n i0rce- 4ney
prevailed both inside and outside the as
sembly, not in number. perhaps, but in se-
quaintance with convention routine work
and IN that quality most valuable in practi-
ca " politics '-sudseltv.'
The result was depl0rable and seems more
plainly 50 since the smoke and din Of battle
has cleared away. The standing Of Yer
mont IN the national convention depends
wholly on the character. ability and repu-
tati0n Of her delegates. The number Is
quite Insignificant. Hence the present dis
Subtraction. Nor l. 1t much relief to think
that the delegates chosen may prefer the
| best Pres Dental candidate thus far named
/ Judging rom precsdents there l. little ike
I llhOod that the successful candidate has vet
/ been mentioned Hence the greater need Of
a strong delegation. But regrets are useless
| The result Is accomplished and cannot be
und0ne Yet II may be wal to remember
| how delegates were chosen, lest that ruth
les horde Of cfhce-seskers. hungry for
patronage and spoils, again pack the eau
I cuses an1 capture convention.
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