Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-05-24
STATE CONVENTION.


bled at City Hall, in this city, at III o'clock
in the forenoon. Thursday, May 23d, there
being present. a. the roll subsequently
showed, 64s of the 693 delegates entitled to
seats. Tho hall was neatly decorated and
the arrangements for seating delegates ar
members of the press were everything that
could be desired Besides the delegates,
who filled the body OF the hall. the galleries
were crowded with spectators, and q num-
Der OF prominent gentlemen from all parts
of the State occupied seats on the platform
Shortly after IL O'Clock, the Convention
was called to order by Gen. George W
Grandcy. of Vergenncs. Chairman of the
State Committee, and the call was then read
by the Secretary, Hon. George Nichols. OF
Mortified. The roll was then read, and,
alter the addition Of the names Of four dele
gates accidentally omitted. was adopted by
the Convention.
The reading of the roll having been COM
pleted. Gen. Grandey announced, in behalf
of the State Committee. that e1-Gov. John
Gregory Smith, of st. Adams, had been chos-
en- as temporary chairman. The announce
ment was received with applause. and as he
came forward Gov. Smith was heartily
greeted. On taking the chair, he addressed
the Convention as follows:
SPEECH OF GOV. SMITH.
Gentlemen Of The Convention
feel duly conscious OF the high honor You
have conferred on me in selecting me for
your presiding officer While am pain
fully distrusilul Of my own ability to per-
form its duties, am treasured by assur-
snce Of that. forbcaranee and cordial and
generous support which has always been
composed Of the intelligence of the people of
Vermont. ! accept the position, pledsing
you my endeavors to serve you with Impair
tislitv and my best ability.
The duties, gentlemen, which have called
W together arc customary and simple. The
primary object OF our gathering ~ to Sc
lect and present to the froemen of Vermont
a standard-bearer. who shall 20 in srd out
before us as tho chief executive of our
commOnwealth-s simple duty this in times
of prosperity and peace, and of compare
lively easy performance. But as cast my
eyes over this assemblage see here many
men of sober 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 rome
thing more than the mere selection OF a
State ticket has convened such to-day. 1
believe, as you do, that the position
in which our country is placed-its dangers
and its perlls-have brought US to sit in
council. and - weigh well what IL necessary
to be done to preserve the Republic, and TO
transmit TO pOsterity stable govern
ment
But two years have elapsed since Conven-
ton met at Cincinnati to choose a man to
be the standard bearer of our party and of
the Nation. The election foliowed-a strug-
gle fierce almost beyond parallel. Con-
vulsed as the country was by factions.
stirred by charges of fraud and cries OF re-
form, q result was at last reached. so far as
the choice OF electors was concerned yet
no scquiescence in the result was reached,
and no President declared to be elected.
And, with q constitution and laws supposed
to be OF ample powers, and with provisions
for all emergencies. the Nation found itself
unable to declare its choice. Resort was
had to an unusual eIpedient. A commits
sion. unknown to the constitution, born of
its own necessity, and of the nature OF
compromise. was created. 1t performed it,
Office and announced the result. The nomi-
nee of the Republicans was declared elected.
and was peacefully insugursted. In for
besrance and generosity, the Presi-
dent inaugurated policy, which,
right or wrong. had for its basis
the sincere and earnest convictions of
the President. Applause His purpose
was in spirit of concession to reconstruct
our country, broken by rebellion, and to
bring about cordial relations between all sec
tions. To do this, lay not in the power of the
sword or of the laws of Congress or of the
amended constitution. Amnesty was freely
offered, and the southernpeople fully re-
stored to their share of political power.
The sword was sheathed, the army with
drawn, and with it the protecting shield for
the Republicans Of the Southern States. in
the hope that such generous treatment
would beget generous response and even
men who fought for the Union were set
aside that men who were lately rebels might |
return repentent and conciliated.
Gentlemen, what has been the result |
The Republican party, born o. the National |
danger and necessity. its mission to free the |
slave. and establish equality of rig hts and |
protection for all. has been riven and dis |
tracted. Yet, is there any one mere ready |
to claim that its mission is cnded-that it |
has performed its part and should be super
seeded? Is there no need of Republican |
party, to-day? Are the rights OF all citi-
zens under the Constitution preserved? |
Does true equality exist before the law
throughout the national domain? Has |
peace been restored? Is the South con-
cilisted?
Gentlemen. never since the session of |
Congress prior to tho secession of the South
ern States, has the spirit Of rebellion been
70 violent a. it is to-day. Never has it shown
itself with more determined power. What
mean these assaults on the government-the
reduction Of the army-the withholding of
supplies from the departments. the efforts
to cripple the Treasury? Do you recall no
similar time? Go back to the days before
the rebellion, to time when Democratic
stripped the government
of its power and dismantled the forts,
that the South might have easy conquest.
Never, in my judgment, has there been a
time when the government needed more the
united aid Of the loyal citizens-never when
they needed to stand more firmly together.
In such union rests the safety OF the Re
public: without 1t our government is rope
Of sand, and the triumph of treason will yet
be- accomplished.
Gentlemen, | am no alarmlst. | believe
hat fruitles, policy will be abandoned
hat the President has learned that meas
lres accepted by the Republican party as
IN experiment have failed OF the expected
results a nd that the Administration is to-day
prepared tqtske a different stand and to work
with and for the only party which can and
will render it support-the party Of true
,esoo and assured liberty. But beyond and
,bove all human agencies, l rest my faith
IN that watchful Providence which guard
ID the Republic In Its infancy; which guild
ID it in its growth; which preserved il
Igsinst rebellion and winch will yet, il we
ire true to ourselves and our principles.
larry the Nation through its present dan
.ers, and bring it forth from trial glorious
position among the governments of fhe
world.
To this suspicious result, you, gentlemen.
AN contribute. Ii to-day, with united and
purpose. You perform the duty
'efore you. 1t will 20 out to the country
hat Vermont remains ever steadfast and
rue to the party and to the cause of the
Nation. 1t will encourage all loyal citizens
n other States. and will help to perpetuste
hat liberty. of which unoessing vigilance
$ the price. Applause.
THE ORGANIZATION coxrLETED.
On motion of Mr.. Rowell, OF Felchville.
lilo 5. Buck. of Cavendish. was chosen
smporary secretary; and on motion of
lon. Charles Dewey. Of Montpelier. the ,
'mporary organization was made perma-
emit.
Hon. Albert Clarke, of ST. Adams, moved
hat a committee on resolutions be.appoint- ,
A nv tho chair In cnnsiSt ot nine nam hers |