Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-10-27
The End Approaches.

The End Approaches.
We have entered upon the last week of a
nomentous political contest Trite indeed
are the strongest terms in which men have
tempted to summon up lively compre.
ension of the vital interests which are
taxed on the election which will decide this
contest The active presence in the canvass
Of all that the country boasts of elo.
quence, of craftsmanship, of the representa-
tives of every grade of the social and mate.
rial interests of the country, tell in language
stronger than the intellect can frame of the
supreme gravity of the situation. 1t is true
that the closing days of the campaign have
been relieved of much Of the anxiety and
solicitude which hung over the contest till
the evening of October 10Th; but, remember
ing that eternal vigilance is no less the
price of liberty to-day than when our faith
ers fought to plant it on this continent, the
Republicans have renewed the battle with
increased zeal and vigor at every doubtful
point, and have striven not only to place ul-
innate success beyond all hazard, but to
give decisive weight to the moral aspect of
the triumph by stamping it with the broad
seal of the overwhelming appreciation of the
intelligent and lberty-loving American PEG.
pie. To this latter result the majority that
our state shall give for Garfield and Arthur
will significantly relate, and on this view of
the Importance of a large majority for the
Republican electors we make this last appeal
to the freemen of Vermont.
After the most brilliant and aggressive
political conflict ever fought in the state,
conflict which by general consent should in
dictate by the verdict at the polls the drift of
public sentiment on the issues joined be-
tween the two great political parties of the
nation, Vermont electrified the country by
giving a Republican majority so decisive
and significant that it was at once hailed as
presage of glorious triumph in the last
grand contest in November Ohio and H.
diana added the light of their glorious victo-
ries to gid the promise of Vermont with an
assurance of triumph in November SO bright
as to be regarded as virtual decision of the
contest. We fear that some of our Justly
sanguine friends unmindful of the whole
some nature of solicitude while even
shadow of uncertainty clouds the final re-
suit, look upon the approaching election
merely as formal ratification of decision
already rendered. We regard the election
IF Artb oil
sured, but not beyond hazard. The crafty
and INSCRIPTIONS character Of our enemy is
standing admonition to vigilance and to
action. The out-croppings of the past few
days illustrate his capacity and his DISPOSE
ton for mischief. The evident course of
Republicans is to overawe that disposition
by majorities so great and decisive that he
will not dare lift his hand to defeat the pop.
ular will. Vermont, having CALAMITY opened
the conflict and carried the position she was
expected to take, has remained since Sep
TENDER an interested spectator of the con-
test in other parts of the great battle ground.
She has watched the line of the Republican
attack develop into an array of bristling
facts. She has seen the thin line of his
defense grow more attenuated, till, utterly
broken and overwhelmed at every decisive
point, the enemy has taken refuge from the
terrific pressure of Republican argument
in the slums of political warfare. Unblush-
ing forgery and disgraceful trickery are the
weapons he now opposes to the high princi.
pies with which Republicans are fighting
the battles of this campaign, and already
muttered threats are heard that what he has |
failed to win by appealing to the reason aud |
conscience of men he will seize by fraud and |
violence at the point where these familiar |
agencies have given him a temporary pos
session of constitutional power. The voters |
OF Vermont gave to the listening freemen of
the nation the first inspiring token of VIC
tory. The time is near at hand when the |
summons will come TO abandon her attitude !
OF enforced inactivity and join in the last
grand act that shall decide, it may be for |
years and it may be forever" the great ques-
tions affecting universal liberty that lie at
the root of this bitter contest. With Yer. |
monters the argument ended long ago. They
need no further discussions. They have
read, listened, observed, and have decided.
They will record their verdict on Tuesday
with the calm deliberation that long refec.
tion and mature consideration bring. We |
have said that Vermont's part on the closing
day of this campaign will be chiefly moral
one. Her influence toward overawing any
disposition the Democracy may have to take |
a reasonable advantage in the final count |
OF the electoral vote will depend upon the |
size OF her majority for Garfield and Arthur.
Vermont did her duty nobly in September,
but she did not discharge her full duty. |
When this old-time enemy of free institu.
lions goes down again it should fall beneath
the weight OF verdict so overwhelming that |
it will never again raise its head to menace
the existence OF peace and prosperity, lib
erty and law, in this republic. Twenty-Five
thousand majority in September was splen-
did contribution to Republican success in
November. Every vote we can add to
that majority next Tuesday will be another
nail in the coffin of defeated Democracy.
Drive the nails thick, Vermonters Let the
state, county and town committees look to it
that every Republican voter is out and let
every senator and representative exhort his
to full and effective discharge
of their duty to the state and the nation
Blunders.