Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-05-31

I
Accustomed to speak plainly, and to be in
advance of less positive States, the Vermont
| Republicans have been relied upon to Coz
tribute to the construction of the Republican
policy. This time they have disappointed
their friends. They have sacrificed ideas to
smooth phrase There is little that is prac-
teal in their generalities, and nothing that
tells where they stand in relation to any eI-
tant question, save that raised by the Potter
resolution.
This evasion of an obvious duty is not the
result of rose-colored estimate of the poll
teal outlook. The preliminary remarks Of
| Mr.. Gregory smith. the temporary Chair
man, seem tc have prepared the way for
vigorous expression of opinion. According
to him. the need of a decided policy never
was greater than now His words are :
Never since prior to the war has the spirit
Of rebellion hcen so violent. 50 rampant as
to-day" We cannot accept Mr.. Smiths
remark As literally correct, but it leaves no
| room for doubt a. to his understanding of
| the occasion that exists for plainness Of
speech and decisive action. Senator Nor
rll, in the letter which is appended to the
proceedings OF the Convention, uses language
equally omiuous The Republican party,
he says, :" has more work to do, and it alone
can preserve what it has already done. There
can be no disputc,'' he adds, " should this
party lose its control over national affairs,
that many pages Of existing statutes would
soon be missed. and that the latest amend
ments of the Constitution would be eIpung-
ed as Northern heresies" The whole pur-
port OF the letter is to impress upon the party
the necessity of providing against imminent
dangers. And the members of the Conven
| ton, in their brief preamble, affirm their
consciousness Of the obligations that rest
upon the party. They declared that they
are " sensible Of the gravity of present e1
igencics in our country" How, then, do
they proceed to deal with them?
In the first place. by handling the Presi-
dent and his administration in gingerly
fashion. With the same breath they blow
hot and cold. 1.-The motives and general
course OF the Administration are commend
CT as to its policy, the ruling idea seems to
have been that silence is wisdom. "A
| difference as to policy may exist" is the
statement employed. This non-committal
method Of treating an important fact savors
more of the temporizing trickster, anxious
to be on good terms with both sides, than Of
the s.alwart Republicans who have won for
Vermont the distinction it enjoys. There
was no absolute necessity for an sllusion to
| the President and what, in the absence of
better term, must still be called his policy.
There are decided differences of opinion in
regard to both, and for the sake of peace
silence CD the subject may be desirable But
il Vermont must speak, ut least it should
speak honestly. 1t can better afford to
ALLEVIATE few votes than to make itself
ridiculous with the view of catching them.
Harmony is good thing, but it is purchased
too dearly when the price Is, as in this In
stance. the emasculation of the principles of
great party.
The Convention exhibited its charity when
it accorded praise to the Presidents motives
it exhibits strange inability to distinguish
between the essentials and non-essentials of
the party'S faith when it urges liberty as a
prcte1t for weakness that may, indeed. be
grateful to the President, but sadly bellies
the traditions Of Vermont Republicanism.
Moreover, it il difficult to speak respect
fully Of platform which, alter adducing the
precept. I'm essentials. unity" fails to make
the slightest reference to the essential"
questions that arc before the country.
yet Vermont may 5e for resumption or
against it, for gold basis or unlimited
greenbacks, for reputation or good faith
80 far rs the Republican platform indicates
its position. The fiscal question is essen
tial but the Convention has not word to
say about it. The organized movement to
open the vaults of the Treasury in order that
the demand for subsidies, giants. loans, and
the payment OF improper claims may be sat
isfed, i, an essential question. Yet for
aught that appears in this platform. Yer
mont may be favorable to the Texas Pacific
job, to the waste Of millions under the
pretensc Of efiecting local improve
ments, and to the payment of the Southern
claims already presented or in cOntempla
ton. Another essential question relates to
the South the maintenance in that section
of the rights of citizenship and the enforce
ment of just laws in harmony with the spir-
1t Of the constitutional amendments. Mr..
Gregory Smith asserts that these rights are
in jeopardy, that these duties may not be
fulfilled; and the great mass Of Republicans
in other States would impress upon the par
ty the urgency and magnitude of tine task
which it must he ready to perform. The
Burlington Convention misrepresents the
spirit oi its constituents and is false to the
interests OF it, party when it allows talk
about "unity, Liberty" and charity" 10
divert attention from tie duty that was in
cumbcnt upon it.
The twO-laccd resolution with reference to
the Administration has its counterpart in
the resolution respecting the South. The
delegates "deplore" tho antagonism OF "a
portion Of the South to the attempt to Sc
cure "equal rights and privileges" while
thoy 'recoghize the patriotic action and de-
yotion" OF another portion of that section.
We are not unmindful of the services rem
dered by Southern conservatives, or of the
title to consideration earned by men who,
like Wade Hampton, have striven fairly to
cultivate friendly relations between the
races. But justice to these persons is not
incompatible with the bold vlndicatIOn of
the principles and policy Of the Republican
party.
The Times might have added to its list of
essential questions the tariff question There
IL no question. We take it, THAT the great
mass Of the Vermont Republicans ire oppos
ed to change in the tariff which will
still further depress our wool interest and
various manufactures. They are opposed to
the ayment Of the Southern claims
they arc for resumption on the
day fixed. We expressed, in advance
OF tho meeting Of the Convention. the hope
and expectation thai the Convention would
make some vigorous expressions on these
subjects. But the desire to secure some ex-