Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-01-30
The PrcsidentInI 0ue.tion.

The call issued two weeks ago for our
Vermont State Republican convention to
meet in Montpelier, Feb. 25th, to choose del
egates to the Chicago convention, has natur-
ally stirred up general discussion of the
question of the next presidency throughout
the State. An examination Of the record of
the past twenty years shows that this conven-
ton has been called at a very unusually early
date, some two months earlier, in fact than
has been the case, on an average, in the time
named. The inference is, in the minds of
most Republicans, that the State Committee
believed Grant "boom" was imminent, and
that they hoped by this early call of the con
yention to be first in the field and give the
boom an enthusiastic send-off.
Whether or not such was the case, every
day makes it more evident that the people of
Vermont have no disposition at this time to
boon unqualifedly for any candidate, and
especially would they be unwilling, at this
early day, to commit themselves without re-
serve to the candidacy Of Gen. Grant. Dur
ing the past few weeks we have made it
point to enquire carefully into the feeling
among the solid rank and file of Republican
voters in this section of the State, on the
question of making Gen. Grant the cand-
date of the party for the next presidency.
Almost without exception we find these men
expressing confidence in, and warm admira-
ton for, Gen. Grant, but at the same time
they invariably add doubt rs to the expedi-
ency and wisdom of attempting to elect him
TO the presidency for Il third term. And we
firmly believe this to be the position in which
four-ffths of the Republican voters of Yer
mont stand to-day.
For ourselves, we have little sympathy. on
abstract grounds, with many of the so-called
objections which are raised against Gen.
Grants candidacy should time and the course
of events show his nomination by the Chicago
convention to be advisable. The third term"
bugaboO is all nonsense. Having been four
years out of Office Gen Grant can bring no
patronage to bear in his favor, and if the peo-
pie want him for their president they have the
same right to elect him that they have to
take up any other man. But with the strong
man" argument, or with the idea that Gen.
Grant is the only man who can save the
country" we can have no patience. How
can any man be "strong," except in the sense
that he has the courage of his convictions,
and the tirmness to execute the laws faithful
ly and Loyalty for the good of the whole coun-
try? And We have plenty of men in the Re
publican party, East and West, who are
possessed of these attributes in an unmistak-
able degree. The question of Gen. Grants
candidacy is purely one of ACCESSIBILITY and
availability. At present there is good ground
for wholesome fear that his nomination
would ALLEVIATE a class of voters who hold the
balance of power in close States but if events
should occur in the next three months to
make his candidacy unquestionably expedient
no good reason exists why he should not in
that case poll the full Republican vote of the
country.
Ever since the question of the next presi-
dency became topic of general discussion
we have been convinced that the Republ-
cans of Vermont were slow to appreciate the
vantage ground on which they stand in the
matter of furnishing the party's next cand-
date. Since the call for the State convention
was issued, however there has been gener-
al waking up on this subject, and the column
of extracts published in this issue shows that
the people of the State are beginning to real
ize, what THE PHOENIX has so often urged,
that no man in the country possesses more
eminent qualifications for the next Presiden-
cy than does Vermont's honored Senator,
Hon. GEORGE F. EDMUNDs. Nor is this feel
ing in regard to Mr.. Edmunds confined to the
people of Vermont Outside the State many
of the best and strongest men in the Repub-
lican party are expressing their warm ad-
miration for Mr. Edmunds, and cherishing
secret hope, if nothing more, that the course
of events may bring about his nomination at
Chicago. Mr. Edmunds has been tried in
the fire of public service, as few men are
tried, and has never been found wanting. A
man of the most pronounced and outspoken
convictions, and never avoiding an active
part in measures of public policy, he has yet
carried himself in that spirit of impartiality
and unflinching integrity, that he has alien
ated no class of men, nor gained the ill-will
of any section of the country. He comes
from small State, of little comparative in
huence, but his eminent services, and his
commanding, wen-rounded character, belong
to the whole United States. II nominated
he would, beyond peradventure, have the
support alike of the "stalwart," conservative
and independent wings of his party. No res
ident of the great pivotal State of New
York, it is freely conceded, could SO surely
carry that State rs would Mr., Edmunds.
Under these circumstances the Republi-
cans of Vermont would fail of their duty,
and be untrue to their manhood, should they
prematurely commit themselves to any other
candidate, or fail to use all proper means to
keep Mr., Edmunds's name before the coun-
try. In no case should Vermont delegation
be sent to Chicago under positive "instruc-
tions" for any man, If our delegation is rep
resentative of the people of the State, in fact,
as well as in name, it will go into that con-
vention prepared, first of all, to make known
its confidence in Mr.. Edmunds, and to use
every honorable means to bring his name to
the favorable attention of the convention.
After that, there being no possibility of Mr..
Edmundss nomination, the delegation will
help to nominate the best man whom it is
possible to unite upon
Maine.
The history of affairs in Maine for the past