Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-07-03
The Administration In Vermont.

trict and county conventions of the present
year may not afford the most conclusive and
satisfactory evidence of the attitude Of the
Vermont Republicans toward the administrs-
tion--for the reason that these utteranoes
are usually drawn up beforehand by some
ready writer, and rushed through at the heel
of the session when half the delegates have
left and the other half are in hurry TO
leave-they nevertheless serve to some ex-
tent as straws to indicate the popular cur
rent. And so far as these gatherings have
undertaken TO give expression to the opin-
ions of the constituency behind them, we
Judge il has been, as we do not doubt it
really is, overwhelmingly indicative of a
generous confidence in and cordial support
of the general policy and measures of the
administration,
Our attention has been called to this sub
ject by the attempt of certain "stalwart "
contemporaries TO construe the resolutions
adopted at our District Convention, at Yer
gennes, the other day, as a virtual criticism
upon the policy of the administration. This
construction, if warranted at all, must be
predicated upon the declaration in the pre-
amble that I" the best interests Of tho country
Enthusiastically require that the republic shall
be administered upon the war principles in
the future" or upon the second resolution,
which reads as follows: "That while we
favor the idea of a policy of Cancellation fair
to all sections, yet we regard the efforts OF
the democracy in the last session OF Con-
gress to plumber the country under our flag
of truce as an admonition to the adninistra-
ton and the nation that its policy had best
be policy of exact and simple justice to all
under the law" Now if there is really CEN
sure in these declarations it must be ad-
mitted that it is "drawn mild" and we
learn that the circumstances under which
these resolutions were adopted greatly en-
hances that mildness. The convention was
deferred until nearly or quite noon, to ac-
commodate a late train from the south, and
then rushed through its business to get at
an awaiting dinner and those only who
know the drawing qualities of Mr.. Gaines
dinners, and the appreciative condition of a
set of delegates who "rose with the lark"
can fully understand how emphatically de
liberation was out of the question. AS it
was, we are credibly informed that no little
dissatisfaction was subsequently expressed
by the delegates that the attitude of the
convention toward the administration was
so equivocally expressed.
But let us turn to the County Conventions,
which are much more fully attended, come
nearer the people, and are, therefore, far
better indication of the popular feeling.
The Republicans of Caledonia county, every
town being represented, resolved " That this
convention take this opportunity to testify
to its approval of the honest administr a.
ton OF the government by President Hayes,
and we heartily commend his exertions to
harmonic sectional ill feeling between the
North and the South, and to bring about a
reform in civil service" The Republicans
of Franklin county declare that we should
stand firm in the support of the party prin-
ciples and party issues, as developed by the
present administration" Staunch old Wind
ham county, at its convention, resolved
" That we the represent atives of the Repub-
licans of Windham county, in convention
assembled, having full confidence in the
ability, integrity and patriotism of the
President of the United States, do hereby
heartily endorse each and every effort by
him heretofore made to reconcile divided
people, and restore concord and harmony in
distracted land, firmly believing all such
efforts to be lawful, wise and indispensably
necessary to the complete establishment of
peace among the people of every section of
the country, and to the perpetuity of the
union of these states" Also, "That we
firmly believe in the reformation of the civil
service-that it should become one of the
established principles of the government
and, notwithstanding the many difficulties
which may have hitherto attended and inn
peded its practical operation, we trust that
the President will persevere until the COM
plete success of the principle shall become
all established fact Orange county Re-
publicans resolved "That we recognize in
the administration of President Hayes his
undoubted integrity, high and honorable
motives and earnest endeavors to do every
thing constitutionally possible to be done to
pacify and unite the conflicting elements of
this great nation, and we heartily appreciate
and approve his motives and general course"
The Republicans of Windsor county also
virtually endorsed the administration, while
those of Chittenden county explicitly APP
proved of the" Southern policy of President
Hayes though the Free Press claims that
this last was not a fair expression, in the
hurry to adjourn.
Properly considering and weighing these
several expressions of popular opinion, we
think little disposition can be fairly discov-
cred among the Republicans of Vermont to
60 back on an administration in the nomi-
nation and election Of which they had so
important an agency.