Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-04-21
Edmunds at Worcester.

At the Massachusetts state convention,
held at Worcester on Thursday OF last week,
to choose four delegates at large to the
Chicago convention, the preference for Ed
munds was expressed by an overwhelming
majority for delegates who represent his can
didacy. At the head of the list Of delegates
stands the name of Senator George F. Hoar.
At the Vermont state convention, February
25th, Edmunds' name was first formally
placed before the people as candidate for
the presidency. His name was taken up
throughout New England and most heartily
endorsed by the leading Republican papers,
and from that day forward, without an or
ganization to fan the flame Of public favor,
without an effort on the part Of the candi-
date himself, but in the face Of his known
opposition to the use of his name, his candi-
dacy has steadily risen in public favor, and
the Old Bay State has closed with clap of
thunder the first stage of the campaign
The dignity and moral support given to the
Edmunds movement by the harmonious and
spontaneous action Of the Massachusetts,
convention augnrs well for the rank the
Green Mountain senator will hold among
the contestants at Chicago. To receive full
three-fourths Of the votes Of a convention
numbering one thousand and sixty delegates
from people who have always marched in
the front rank of the advocates and defenders
Of free institutions, is an honor second only
to that which the Chicago convention can
confer; and the Chicago convention can
make no stronger claim to the suffrage of
patriotic citizens than by the same sensible,
business-like and harmonious methods as
prevailed at Worcester, to reach precisely
the same result in its selection Of candi-
date for the presidency. The result, and
the reasons which led to it, are so sensible
and so clearly expressed in the seventh plank
of the platform that it is here given entire
The duty of all Republicans Loyalty to support
the candidates Of the party and the duty OF nom
mating conventions to present candidates who are
acceptable to all Republicans, are reciprocal duties
of equal force and obligation. Profoundly SEN
sible of the importance OF the impending election
to the nations safety, honor and well-being, the
Republicans Of Massachusetts demand Of the del
egates to the national convention that they all
proper efforts for the nomination of a candidate
who, having the requisite qualities for the high
office of president, will also have the confidence
and approval of all who have hitherto acted with
the Republican party. who will invite the support
of other patriotic citizens desiring good govern
ment more than party success, whose nomination
will be most expedient because most worthy and
least Objectionable, and whose triumphant cleo
ton, to which we pledge our hearty and united
xpill Uiy nf fha N No pf
sound and benefcent policies of administration
and of uninterrupted and growing national pros
perity. While we do not instruct our delegates,
commend to their consideration as a Repub-
lican statesman who possesses in an eminent de-
gree such qualities and requisites for the nomin-
alton, the Hon. George +. Edmunds of Vermont
The spectacle of the New England states
forming in an almost unbroken line in sup
port of Edmunds is exceedingly gratifying,
and affords most striking commentary on
the position of another New England SEN
ator who has long been conspicuously before
the country, and in whose interest the most
complete and powerful organization, by the
most effective methods known to American
politics, has ceaselessly pressed his candi-
dacy, and still is able to carry with substan-
tal unanimity only one of the New England
states, and that one his own state of Maine.
If, in the numberess contingencies that may
arise at Chicago, the choice should be mar
rowed down to Edmunds or Blaine, this
fact should have decisive influence. 1t is
not to be expected that any states outside of
New England will formally pronounce for
Mr.. Edmunds, however great the preference
of individuals in other states may be, and
in many it has so nearly controlling inhu-
ence that it will be both easy and natural
for their delegates to turn to Mr.. Edmunds'
support if occasion arises. So that the Ed
munds movement may be said to have
reached its climax, so far as the declarations
of state conventions are concerned, and it
now remains for his supporters to gather up
and consolidate all the elements of strength
thus far developed, and to bring them into
shape for most effective presentation and
use at Chicago