New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-07-18
An INDEPENDENT PATTY IN VERMONT.


An INDEPENDENT PATTY IN VERMONT
We had no idea things were so bad IN Yer
mont. We knew, OF course, in general way,
that things were reasonably dreadful up there,
and that they offered a fair degree of discour-
agement. They do that, more or less, every
where nowadays. And Vermont being
accessible to the daily illumination of
that shining sheet The Springfield Repub-
Hoan, it goes hard If the enterprislng
conductors of that austere periodical don't
find out enough social or political goings-On
to maintain its own circulation, subject the
community to tri-weekly shock to its moral
sense, and keep the State abreast of the rest
of the Union in general wckedness. MI that
of course we expect and are prepared for.
But things are worse than that. Bad enough
in fact to call for the organization of anew party.
The call has been issued for mass convention
of the voters of the State without hitherto
obstruction of party "-pace and date not yet
determined-tO take into consideration the
frightful state of affairs and do something
seasonable and high toned about it. The call
contains nine propositions, ana offers virtually
a platform for the new party. 1t seems they
have "absolutism and partisan State Com
"mitteesn who "insut the people" and
"demagogues who insult their manhood"
aud rings" and "cabals," and "shadowing
influences that have darkened our political
"hfe," and all that sort of thing, up in Yer
mont just the same as we have them in this city
or anywhere else where there are no restrictions
upon the traffic in beer, and freedom OF
thought is untrammelled. The call-tO which,
unfortunately, there are no signatures-rccites
the evils complained of with a good deal of
earnestness and fOrce-tO which it was per
haps indispensable that the grammar of our
mother tongue should be sacrificed. And yet
we think a close observer may detect in it a
feeling somewhat akin to pride over the fact
that Vermont is not so far behind her sister
States as not 10 have few of the vices of IA
high civilization which flourish elsewhere in
such luxuriance
The first thing the voters of Vermont,
"without hitherto distinction of party" are
called upon to do in mass convention, is " to
express their opposition to scheming and
"partsan State Committees who have and
for two years more propose to control free
faction In our State politics, insulting the
people by invitation TO a State Convention,
d" the nominations having been made months
"before." This appears to be a blow at
State Committees, and it does seem to be
high time State Committees were put down.
Let it be recorded that the first blow against
State Committees has been struck in Yer
mont. The second object is to express non
"support of a man who, by his money and
"impertinent personal solicitation extending
" through every strata of society, still further
4 I.
"of success he presents the unDrece-
"dented and shameless spectacle of hold
"ing family levee to receive the
congratulations of manipulating friends
&" for the success of demagOgue and his
"well-laid plans" This may seem mixed 1t
is; but 1t is evidently aimed at somebody who
is bad, and clearly shows the need of new
party and of reform. The Convention is ex-
pected to protest against the increase of State
expenses, to indOrse the policy of President
HAYES, to condemn and "abolish that
"polihcal Communism which has, in the
Glands of junta, obtained in this
Estate !" also TO "reprobate absOutism
a. from any quarter" and finally, "to
"declare and insist that the time has come
"when you deem it imperative and your
uuty W Jbul inpCliiCu NOuhbiJ W bul
loose from mere party affiliations and
ABUSES, unless there can arise party that
"wiIl cut loose from them" Now this to a
member Of the new National" party who
is in the habit of inveighing against
everything in the existing order, from the
tyranny of capital down to the size of
schooner of lager, may not seem a very
formidable list Of grievances. 1t does not
touch the labor question or the finances, and
is silent on large number of questions that
committees have been appointed on. But we
submit that, for quiet and respectable State
like Vermont, it is doing very well. And the
thing after all Is not so much to make large
list of grievances as to get up new parties.
They can't brag much of abuses in Vermont.
but they can at least point with pride to
enough to start one new party on.
The Springfield Republican, which prints
this call for a mass convention with
out location, date, or signature, speaks
quite hopefully of the movement as an evil
dent working of the Independent leaven."
The authors of the call do not expect insspdi-
ate success, but are confident of forming a sem
tIment in their gallant State which will
ENSURE victory in tho grand campaign of
1880" and forever ostracize rings and
"cabaIs.n To people outside the State
the objects aimed at will seem obscure,