Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-08-18
Drift OF the Independents.

The Washington National Republican says
1t has been evident for several years that
the independent vote in close northern
states is capable of deciding the political
contests in them. This is true of Connect.
cut and New York especially. If we are to
judge Of the direction Of this independent
vote in November by the present opinions
Of its foremost organs, IL is very certain that
Mr.. Garfield will get the bulk of it. The
New York Nation early took its position in
support of the Republican nominee; Har.
per's Weekly warmly supports him; the
Boston Herald, after some hesitation, de.
cides in his favor. The Fridays issue con.
tains the following editorial under the
head of Democratic Reform" "The
Democratic orators are not saying 80 much
about reform as they were. In 1875, when
accumulated scandals had called out de
mand from Republicans for reform within
the party, the Democrats improved the
opportunity to advertise their claims az
reformers. They represented Tilden, with
good record in the administration of the
state of New York, and succeeded in attract
ing large number of reformers to their
standard. But when President Hayes came
in, and honestly and perseveringly attempted
real reforms, at the same time making all
reasonable concessions of the right of local
self government, the Democrats stood aloof.
They saw him waging a deadly war with
the machine of his own party, and never
came to his assistance. When they came into
power, first in the house and then 10 the
senate, their greed for office was the most
conspicuous characteristic displayed. In
the extra session, they placed themselves in
the losing position Of protesting against an
evil which did not exist, while sustaining
an evil that was positive, active and aggres-
sive. They denounced the use of federal
bayonets in elections, when it was well
known that federal bayonets had never pre-
vented single honest vote from reaching
the ballot box, and after nearly all the
soldiers had been withdrawn from the south
ern states; while they refused to see the
patent, notorious fact that thousands and
tens Of thousands Of legal voters in the south
were DISTINGUISHED by violence and fraud.
This course of the Democratic party natur-
ally alienated the independent voters who
acted with it in 1876, and set the northern
people generally to thinking that it would
be unsafe to give the government Of the
nation into the hands of party which
draws the bulk of its strength from the
states not long ago in rebellion. The clean,
moderate and patriotic administration OF
President Hayes helped the independents
to decide against the claims of the Demo.
Gratis, and gave the Republican party new
lease Of life. Had the movement for a
third term for Gen. Grant prevailed this
year, the independents would have bolted
from it ia body From Garfield they
expect continuance of the policy of the
present administration. From the Demo-
cratic party they have no reason to expect
any reform measures. 1t has even ceased to
make pretensions. 1t has shown itself when
in power in both branches of congress merely
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