Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-05-12
Choosing the Delegates.

Republican state conventions have been
held during the past week in Mississippi,
Tennessee, Delaware, Maryland, New Hamp-
shire, New Jersey and Wisconsin. Wherever
any preference has been expressed, the more
conspicuous presidential candidates have
shared quite evenly in the distribution of
the honors. Mississippi is reported to have
added six to the score of General Grant of
Mr.. Blaine, four; of Mr.. Sherman, seven
though the friends of the ex-president claim
a substantial victory in that state. There
was the usual amount of undgnifed wran.
Cling that has characterized the conventions
of the extreme southern states. Tennessee
affords a brilliant exception to the unhatter-
ing character Of the average southern con-
vention. The action of its convention
derives additional Importance from the fact
that it also nominated candidate for gov
ernor, and its platform therefore involved
the enunciation of the principles of the
party on the financial question that agitates
the state. 1t is needless to say that it took
a manly stand against the reputation of the
honest debts of the state, and in favor of the
policy of the party in respect to the national
finances. A delegation to Chicago, number
ing at least eighteen out Of twenty-four in
favor of General Grant, was chosen, though
the convention, in the practice of the true
spirit of republican principles, declined to
instruct the delegates. The fact was re-
vived that vice-president is also to be NOM
mated at Chicago in the presentation by
this convention Of the name of the distin-
guished Tennesseean, Hon. Horace May
nard. Alvin S. Hawkins was nominated
for governor. Delaware displayed good
sense in directing her six delegates to vote
for the man who seemed to be most accept
able to the northern states. Maryland's
sixteen delegates are reported to stand, for
General Grant, nine for Blaine, five; for
Sherman, two. The Wisconsin convention
was largely attended, and in point of dignity
and intelligence was one of the finest polit-
ical assemblies ever held in the state. As
the delegates had generally been chosen but
few days before the assembling of the con-
vention, the complexion of the body was not
known till it met in Madison, when very
unexpectedly the Washburne men developed
superior strength. Sherman being their
second choice, a combination was formed
against Blaine which resulted in the choice
of nine delegates for Washburne, three for
Sherman, seven for Blaine aud one for
Grant. The New Jersey Republicans placed
themselves unequivocally on record as to all
questions for which the party is contending,
and will cordially support the nominee of
the Chicago convention. The individual
preference of its eighteen delegates is not
stated. Our sister state of New Hampshire
acquitted herself with admirable spirit. If
it was pride that induced her to ally herself
with the Pine Tree state, rather than honor
the peerless son of her old colonial ward we
should feel obliged to qualify our praise of
the general aspect of her convention, to
which the only exception we can take is the
preference she expresses for candidate. If,
however, New Hampshire honestly prefers
Mr.. Blaine, we find some compensation for
what we believe TO be an unwise choice in the
fact that she had generous tribute to be-
stow upon other prominent candidates, and
left her ten delegates free to carry their al
legiance TO the banner of any other leader,
under whom all divisions may be harmon
lied, guaranteeing to the nominee at Chicago
rousing majority in November and he
will have it, or, like Stark at Bennington,