Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-07-12

Though the associations connected with this
great national anniversary are calculated TO
inspire checrfulness and hilarity, the eloquent
orators who held forth on that occasion spoke
so despondiuply about the condition of our
beloved country. which they said was being
driven hendloug to destruction by the wicked
and corrupt persons who have got control of
it, that my own usually cheerful spirits were
considerably depressed for time, insomuch
that ! began to entertain very poor opinion
OF myself because of my previous unconscious
ness and unconcem right IN the very midst Of
such rascality and such imminent danger
The idea that everybody in our local world,
ms well as at large was unreliable and cor
rupt. except the brave little band of modest
reformers before me. come upon me with be-
wildering suddenuess ! confess ! wasn't
prepared for it, destroying, as it did at one
fell stroke, my conhding faith in the average
goodness of humankind, still / couldn't for
a moment doubt the fact for didn't the olo-
quent speakers say so with gushing candor,
over and over again
To be sure. this long talked Of mass conyen-
ton. the outcome of much earnest effort. and
baptized as it were in advanceina kind of sane
tilted halo by being convened on the great
national holiday. was not an eminent success
in point of numbers. The grand aggregate
at flood tide. by actual count was eighty
and large part of these being mere spccta-
tors were presently swept away 10y the resist
less flow of oratory which soon set in. SO that
it is fair to estimate the active participators
at about fifty. all told. 10 round out the
committees properly, 1t Is said that the names
of several straight-out Republicans We're Dor
rowed for the occasion. without the formal
ity of asking assent and hence the use tbusof
any mans name ought not, of itself TO dis
credit him with his political brethren. 1t is
not fair to visit upon him the penalty that be-
fel poor dog Tray without proof that his AS
ISOLATION with the company he was found i'll
was voluntary. Probably nineteen ont of ev-
cry twenty Republicans whose signatures were
procured. in one way or another. to the call
for the convention. on reflection and better
understanding Of the real purposes Of the
prime movers decided to call halt. wait and
watch it being no part Of their plan to be
used simply as tools with which to break up
the Republican party. Many of them earn
estly believe in reform, but very few Of them
indeed believe it Is possible 10 get it by de
sorting their colors and going over to the
Democrats This is the reason why. when
the sly old cat under the meal began 10 purr
so unsteady and self-complacently, they first
became suspicious and then disguised; and
i t accounts also for their conspicuous absence
from, and the consequent leanness Of the con-
vention. One after another they recognized
that same crafty old mouser III new disguise
and so didn't convene" worth a cent. The
few Republicans who did finally take part in
the convention We're doubtless actunted by
honest motives, and some of them / know do
not mean to sever their connection with the
Republican party but in the end they will
find that riding two horses going IN opposite
directions is an impossible feat. and will have
to dismount from one or the other. These
are men whom the Republican party will re-
| greet TO lose.
OF course Mr. Charles n Davenport APP
| peared in his usual role of proprietor and
ring-master of the show. 4 Democratic re
| form" convention without his manipulation
would be as tame as the play of Hamlet with
! Hamlet omitted. And it turned ont to be. as
/ most of the Republican call-signers surmised
in advance, one Of his biennial raids to cap
ture Democratic recruits from the unsuspcct-
ing stragglers Of the Republican army. Mr..
! Davenport is an ambitious, able and adroit
Democratic politician and his party being III
/ hopeless minority, with nothing to lose and
| everything to gain lie never fails before eacl
State election to devise some cunning plan "a
beguile Republicans and smash the Republi
can slate. His almost ludicrous failures hitL.
erto seem only to increase his ardor in his IA
vorite pursuit Besides. he and some OF hi,
| bennington county associates have "a LITTLE
family quarrel on their hands with Hiram At
/ kins, 10 determine who shall boss the Demo
cratic party of Vermont. and in the event OF
the election Of a Democratic president. con
troll the division of spoils IN tins State. 1t j,
q struggle between them to decide who sinai
be Democratic dictator. and Mr.. Davenport
naturally tries to magnify his own importanc,
and strength at each election 10y holding on
alluring promises of reform" 10 the dear
hut misguided Republicans Both he ant
Atkins plot mischief to the Republican party
in all ways and a. all times; and any cry o.
reform" from either OF them means Just thi
and nothing more. No honest Republican
can expect true reform from the Democratic
party under its present leadership. Its his
tory during the great struggle for the prrser
Walton of the national life Is full of disoyaty
though many of It's individual members, t,
their honor be it said. loved country NOR,
than party while its more recent record
taken in connection with itsdeelared purposes
is hardly less discreditable.
Of the nominees of this convention ] SAY
nothing. except that they are respectable
some OF them decidedly good. -- but no bett,
as "A whole certainly, even leaving poAlica
considerations one side. than those prcseutt,
by the Republican convention, and therefor
have no claims on this score TO Republican
support. The two chief principles advocate,
were equal and honest taxation. and low an,
only legal rates Of interest Both good. an,
theoretically approved 10y everybody Whel
II comes to prdctirf however, are the skirt
of the supposed builder Of this platform, Nh
Chas n. Davenport any cleaner than hi
neighbors' If anybody should estimate tn
property of himself and his immediate fam
lily at less than slOO, 900. he would be lke
TO resent it As bslittling the well earned sue
cess which has crowned his life $ labors butt
theassessor should tax him on one fifth of thi
amount he would be equally likely to resen
it, 1t is Wen known that he don't banker al
ter taxes. As TO the matter Of interest,
Mr.. Davenport fails TO get much as ia
ruling market rate for the use of his money
in one way or another, there is a wrong in
preston about il IN the public mind whic
does him injustice, for he is regarded as
sharp financial manager, All which goes t
/ show that it Is easier TO preach than TO pra,
tioe ; and that Mr.. Davenport, erctpt IN h
preaching. is no greater lover or benefacto