Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-05-31
The Republican State Convention.
4 Large aud IIsrmoniou. Gathering.


body of the hall. the galleries were crowded
with spectators, and number of prominent
gentlemen from all parts Of the State oceu-
pied seats on the platform.
Shortly after i o'clock the convention was
called to order 10y Gen George W. Grandey,
Of Nergennes chairman Of the State commit
tee, and the call was then read 10y the secreta-
ny. Hon. George Nichols of Mortified. The
roll was then read and, after the addition Of
the names of four delegates accidentally omit
ted was adopted by the convention.
Tht reading Of the roll having been COM
plcted. Gen. Grandey announced, in behalf
OF the State committee. that ex-Gov. John
Gregory Smith, OF ST. Adams, had been chos-
On as temporary chairman. The announce
ment was received with applause, and as he
came forward Gov. Smith was heartily greet
ed On taking the chair, he addressed the
convention as follows:
SPEECH or GOV. SMITH.
Geati,mea ofHe CoarsatioH:
feel duly conscious Of the high honor you
have cont, rrcd on me in selecting me for
your presiding officer. While / am painfully
distrustfll Of my own ability TO perform its
duties. am reassured by assurance of that
forbWuucc and cordial and generous sup
port which has always been accorded to its
chairman by convention composed Of the
intelligence Of the people Of Vermont l ac-
cept the position plcdging you my cndeayors
to serve you with impartiality and my best
ability.
The duties, gentlemen, which have called
MS together are customary and simple. The
primary object Of our gathering is to select
and present to the freemen of Vermont a
staudard-bear,r who shall go in and out be-
fore US A. the chief executive Of our common
wealth-a simple duty this in times OF pros
perity and peace, and Of comparatively easy
performance. But as | cast ny eyes over
this assemblage l see here many men Of So
Der habit and thoughtful men-men whom
know to be regardful of the highest interests
of our State and Of the country and | am
led to believe that something more than the
selection Of q State ticket has convened such
to-day. | believe, as you do. that the posi-
ton in which our country is placed-its dan
gers and its perils-lave brought us to sit in
council and to weigh w,ll what is necessary
to be done to pres, rye the Republic. and to
transmit to posterity a stable government.
But two years have Elapsed since a convon-
| ton met ut Cincinnati 10 choose a man TO be
the stan. lard-b,ar,r Of our party and Of the
] lhlibl. I ~ fl'ttlbl lila'A fA Il hlIhE14t
| fierce almost beyond parallel. Conyulsed as
| the country was 10y factions, stirred BY charges
| of fraud and cries Of REFORM - result was AT
! last reached. so far as the choice of electors
| was conc, rnod yet no acquicstuce in the re-
| suit was reached. and 10 President declared
/ to be elected. And, with a constitution and
| laws supposed to be Of ample powers. and
with provisions for all emergencies, the ma
! ton found itself unable TO declare its choice.
! Resort was had to an unusual eXpedient. 4
commission, unknown to the constitution,
born Of its own necessity, and Of the nature
Of a compromise, was created. 1t performed
its Office and announced the result The
nominee of the Republicans was declared
| elected and was peacefully inaugurated. In
forbeannce and generosity, the President in.
augurated policy, which, night or wrong
had for its basis the sincere and earnest con.
yictions of the President. Applause. His
| purpose was in q spirit Of concession TO re-
construct our country, broken by rebellion
and to bring about cordial relations between
| all sections. To do this lay not IN the powel
Of the sword or of the laws Of Congress or OF
the amended constitution. Amnesty wa,
freely offered, and the Southern people fully
restored to their share Of political power
The sword was sheathed, the army withdrawn
and with it the protecting shield for the Re
puhlcans Of the Southern States, in the hop,
that such generous treatment would bege
generous response; and even men who
fought for the Union We're set aside that mel
who were lately rebels might return repent
ant and concilated.
Gentlemen. what has been the result; tn,
Republican party, born Of the national dan
ger and necessity It's mission to free til,
slave and establish equality of rights and pro
lection for all, has been riven and distracted
Yet, is there any one here ready TO claim tina
its mission is onded-that it has performed
its part and should be superseded: Is Their
no need of Republican party to-day: Ar
the rights of all parties under the constitu
ton preserved Does true equality exist be
fore the law throughout the national domain
Has peace been restored: Is the South con
cilatedy
Gentlemen, never since the session Of Con
gress prior to the secession Of the Southern
States has the spirit of rebellion been VIC
lent as it is to-day. Never has it shown it
self with more determined power. VIVA
mean these assaults on the governmental
reduction of the army-the Withholding o
supplies from the departments, the efforts t
cripple the treasury! Do You recall no sim
liar time Go back to the days before tn
rebellion TO a time when a Democratic ad
ninistration stripped the government of it
power and dismantled the forts that til
South might have an easy conquest. Never
in my judgment. has there been time whe
the government needed more the united al
of the loyal citizens-never when they need
ed to stand more firmly together. In sue
union rests the safety of the Republic; Will
out il our government is rope of sand, an
the triumph of treason will yet be accom-
/ plished.
Gentlemen, l am no alarmist beliey
that n fruitless policy will be abandoned
that the President has learned that measure
p accepted by the Republican party us an e'
pertinent have failed of the expected RESULT
and that the administration is to-day prepal
ed to take a different stand, and to work wit
and for the only party which can and wi
$ render it support-the party of true peaC
, and assured liberty. But beyond and abOy
, all human agencies, | rest my faith in thi
watchful Providence which guarded the r.
o. | public in its infancy which guide il in il
growth which preserved it against rebellion
and which will yet if We are true to GU
/ selves and our principles carry the natio
2 through its present dangers, and bring
# forth from trials a glorious nation whiC
+ shall maintain its power and position anon
the governments of the world.
, To this suspicious result, you, gentlemen
= can contribute. II to-day, with united Al
10 harmonious purpose, you perform the du
i before you, it will go ont to the country tn
t Vermont remains ever steadfast and true
= the party and TO the cause of the nation.
f will encourage all loyal citizens in other State
and will help to perpetuate that liberty,
4 which unceasing vigilance is the price A
/. plause.
> THE ORGANIZATION COMPLETED.
= On motion of Mr.. Rowell, of Felclyill
Il Milo s. Buck, of Cavendsh, was chosen ten
e porary secretary and on motion of Ho
p Charles Dewey, of Montpelier, the tempora
l. organization was made permanent. Hon.
+ bert Clarke, of st. Adams, moved that a col
l. mittee on resolutions be appointed by I
chair, TO consist Of nine members. At t
.. suggestion of Hon. l.. G.. Hinckley, of CHI
'' sea, an amendment was made that the comm
lr tee consist of three gentlemen from ca
re Congressional district and as amended I