The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1878-05-29
STATE CONVENTION.

report in the Burlington Free Press ) |
The Convention was called to order
By Geo. W. Grandey, Chairman OF
the State Committee. The roll OF
the convention included the names
Of GAS delegates, making one Of the
largest delegate conventions ever held
in the state. Gen. Grandey announc-
ed, in behalf of the State Committee,
that ex-Gov. John Gregory Smith OF
St. Adams, had been chosen as tenn
porary chairman. On taking the chair
Gov. Smith addressed the Convention
in part as follows:
The duties, gentlemen, which have
called us together are customary ana
simple. The primary object of our
gathering is to select and present to
the freemen of Vermont standard
bearer, who shall go in and out before
us as the chief executive Of our COM
monwealth-a simple duty this in
times of prosperity and peace, and OF
comparatively easy performance. But
as | cast my eyes overthis assemblage
l see here many men of sober habit
and thoughtful men-men whom
know to be regardful of the highest in
terests of our State and of the country;
and am led to believe that something
more than the mere selection of State
ticket has convened such to-day.
believe, as you do, that the position
in which our country is placed-its
dangers and its perils-haye brought
nus to sit in council, and to weigh we'll
what is necessary to be done to pre-
serve the Republic, aud to transmit to
posterity stable government.
In forbearance and generosity, the
President inaugerated policy, which,
right or wrong, had for its basis the
sincere and earnest convictions of the
President. (Applause.) His pur-
pose was in a spirit of concession to
reconstruct our country, broken by re-
bellion. and to bring about cordial re-
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 Southern peo-
pie fully restored to their share of po-
litical power. The sword was sheath
ed, the army withdrawn, and with it
the protecting shield for the Republi-
cans 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 late.
~ rebels might return repentent and
conciliated.
Gentlemen, what has been the re.
suit! The Republican party, born Of
National danger and necessity, its mis-.
sion to free the slave, and establish
equality of rights and protection of all
has been riven and distracted. Yet
is there any one here ready to claim
that its mission is ended-that it has
performed its part and should be su
perseded? Is there no need of Re
publican party to-day? Are the right,
of all citizens under the Constitution
preserved? Does true equality exis
before the law throughout the nationa
domain! Has peace been restored
Is the South conciliated?
Never, in my Judgment, has Their
been time when the government
needed more the united aid of the Iowa
citizens-never when they needed t
stand more firmly together. In sue
union rests the safety Of the Republic
without it our government is rope c
sand, and the triumph of treason wi
yet be accomplished.
Gentlemen, am ho alarmist.
believe that a fruitless policy will b
abandoned that the President ha
learned that measures accepted by th
Republican party as an experiment
have failed of the expected results
and that the administration is to-da
prepared to take different stand, an
to work with and for the only part
which can and will renderit support
the party of true peace and assure
liberty. But beyond and above a
human agencies, | rest my faith in this
watchful Providence which guarded th
Republic in its infancy; which guide
it in its growth; which preserved
against rebellion and which will We
five are true to ourselves and OF
principles, carry the Nation throue
its present dangers, and bring it fort
from trial glorious nation whic
shall maintain its power and positio
among TIE governments of the world
Milo 5. Buck of Cavendish was oh,
sen Secretary pro tenn, and on motto
of Hon. Charles Dewey, of Montpcle
the temporary organization was mac
permanent.
On motion of Albert Clarke the 70
lowing committee on resolutions wei
appointed; Albert Clarke, of St. A
bans Torrey L. Wales, OF BurIin,
ton; d. M. Camp, of Newport; Ec
ward Seymour, Of Vergennes; j. {
Cilley, of Brandon; Charles Dewe,
of Montpelier; C.Al, Stone, of s
JOAnSDuIy Charles naueft oF Cro