Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-02-25
The State Convention.

The State Convention
As we 90 to press before the hour of the
assembling of the convention 1t is, Of course,
impossible to speak only in the most gen
eral terms of its makeup and probable out
come. We notice with pleasure that an
unusual proportion of the strong and wise
men Of the party have been elected as dele
gates, and that, as a rule, little disposition
has been manifested in the primary meet
ings to go beyond an expression in favor OF
Senator Edmunds in the matter Of candi-
dates. This we regard as a mark OF the
highest wisdom, and it is earnestly to be
hoped that the same prudent counsels will
prevail in the convention. Herein alone
lies our absolute safety. Judging from such
reports as reach us from various localities as
to second choice in the matter Of can
didates there is the greatest possible variety
of opinions existing, and any attempt to
force agreement upon or promote the inter
ests of any one of the leading candidates
over the others will inevitably result in a
state of discord which is the sure precursor
of defeat. That there will be entire and
hearty unanimity in support of Senator Ed
munds is beyond all question. A single step
further is unsafe. Beyond that let our
motto be principles, not men," The truth is,
our greatest danger lies in forgetting this
time-honored maxim in our heated discus
sions about men. There is no division
among the Republicans of the country in
the support of the fundamental principles OF
the organization. Our discords arise from re-
gard for our favorite candidates and not so
much from that, in fact, as from the overbear-
ing and dictatorial methods adopted by the
friends of rival candidates in their efforts to
obtain control of the organization. In point
of fact, let the nomination fall upon either
OF the prominent candidates named, and
there will be an unhestating and hearty
rallying in his support by the Republicans
all over the country. Hence the folly OF
fomenting discords and alterations now, to
be repented of and overcome after the con.
vention.
To our mind the duty of the convention
is so plain and obvious that we have no
hesitation in predicting that it will select
strong and wise men for delegates, and
cothe them with discretionary powers to
represent the Republicans of Vermont in
the Chicago convention. Who those men
will be, we will not now predict. We have
plenty of them, and it will be serious mis-
take to pass them by for the sake of crafty
ing any mans personal aspirations.
THE LATEST.
A little more than three hundred delegates
had arrived last evening and been enrolled
by the state committee. A few more arrived
at an early hour this "wednesday morning.
There will not be very full representation
of the party-not so full as there would have
been If the district conventions had been
called in connection with the state con-
vention. The people are really as much in
terested in the choice of delegates from other
districts as from their own, and very gen.
eral dissatisfaction at the separation of the
conventions has been expressed. resolu-
tion will probably be adopted directing the
state committee in the future to call the dis
trict and state conventions together.
While the convention will not be full
one, it will be a very able one. A large
number of the most noted men in the state
are delegates. Judge Poland, Governor and
Colonel Fairbanks, Colonel Farnham, Lieu
tenant.Governor Cotton, Governor Stewart,
Governor Page, Colonel Colburn, General
McCulloch, Judge Evarts, Colonel Mead,
Colonel Albert Clarke, Colonel Powell, Gov
ernor Hendee, Colonel Hooker, Colonel Mer.
rill, Colonel Sprague, Henry Clark, G.. G.
Benedict, S. B. Pettingill, d. NJ. Camp,
Colonel Goulding, Hugh Henry, j. d, Bridge
man, Rev. DIR. Stevens, Rev. Mr.. Mudgett,
Rev. Mr.. Chamberlain, and Hon. F. Z. Wood.
bridge are among the best known delegates.
While the prevailing sentiment seems to be
opposed to the nomination of General Grant,
no attempt will probably be made to give
united expression to that opinion. Wash
burn, Garfield, Vice-president Wheeler, Sher-
man and Blaine have many friends among
the delegates.
The convention will be organized by the
choice of General Grout of Barton for chair
man. OF the four delegates from the state
to Chicago, it is probably safe to predict
that Governor Smith and Frederick Billings
will be two. To complete the delega-
ton the names of Governor Stewart, Gov
ernor Page, Judge Poland and Colonel Mead
are mentioned with more or less favor.
The predominant spirit of the convention
will be to send four able representatives to
Chicago, who will act in good faith and in
earnest in support Of Senator Edmunds, and
beyond that leave them uninstructed to do
what in their judgment is best for the sue
cess OF the party at the coming election.