Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-09-13
The Election.

LOYALTY to republicanism. In 1873 Proctor's
majority was II, 403 in total vote of 81 22l
In the late election in total vote slightly
exceeding $4,000 Barstow's probable major
ity would seem to denote that Vermonters
have been firmly holding their grip since
the election two years ago and will be pre-
pared to tackle the next presidential cleo
ton and pitch the tune in the old-time
ringing key.
The liveliest interest throughout the state
conferred in the congressional election in the
second district. Judge Poland has been
elected by a decisive majority, majority
which in view of the conspiracy to over
throw him is entirely satisfactory to his
friends aud under all the circumstances is
more indicative of his firm hold upon the
the confidence of the people than the full
majority of the district INFESTED by the Sc
we're strain that was put upon 1t on Tues
day of last week. A more unwarrantable
or uniustifable procedure than the move
ment against Judge Poland, or more stu.
pid scheme to defeat an election, can hardly
be conceived. 1t has no right to be styled
bolt. For bolt openly made aud sus-
tanned by even a pretense of reason, men
may have some respect though 1t may not
have their appreciation. But an insidious
plot TO stab a man in the back industriously
kept from the public knowledge and sprung
upon its intended victim on the dawn of
election day is conspiracy worthy of the
men who Matched 1t and the agents who
attempted its consummation. As the Rut-
land Herald in its outspoken way has said,
at will disgrace those who were responsible
for it, but cannot dishonor Judge Poland"
An analysis of the vote in the district de-
velops some interesting features. 1t will
be seen that the counties of the old second
district, which cast in 1874, 3 7i3 votes for
Poland and 7,Ol1 for Dennisop, have not
only given Poland a majority but majority
sufficiently large to offset the adverse vote
of the new counties and to secure for him
a triumphant election. In the Dennison
campaign Caledonia county gave majority
of 1910 against Judge Poland, Orange 2070,
Windsor 2,09l, while Windham gave ma
iority of 1850 in his favor. In the recent
election the adverse majority in Caledonia
was cut down to l0j, in Orange it was
transformed into majority Of 400 in the
judges favor, in Windsor to favorable
majority of 1881, while Windham increased
its majority to l,406, results which amply
Justify the claims made by Judge Poland's
friends that the old hostility had largely
died out and that many of his most vigorous
opponents in 1874 were in 1882 his ardent
supporters. So complete a revolution in the
popular feeling is seldom seen, and when it
is remembered that the opposition journals
in the old second district have been filed
during the campaign with virulent assaults
upon Judge Poland designed to SOW disaf-
lection among his supporters and if possible
again to defeat him, the steadfastness of the
voters and the strength of his majorties are
certainly very remarkable and very fstter-
ing. The nomination of Judge Poland was
effected by the votes of the old second, and
the votes of the old second have elected
him.
In Washington county there is small
majority agair st Judge Poland II is notice
able, however, that, Montpelier excepted,
not only the towns which supported Judge
Poland in the convention, but some Others
which opposed him then, either gave him a
majority or substantially solid republican
vote. The result in Montpelier is not a sub
jet for congratulation either on the part
of the town or the individuals in whose
favor so large republican vote was diverted
from the regular nominee. The outcome
here was due to the alleged position and pur-
pose Incorrectly represented, we believe,)
of promnert supporter of Judge Poland
with reference to the republican caucus
nominee for town representative. This
complication in local politics, it is conceded
on all hands ,capitaliseds against Judge Poland
by local "soldier of fortune" who like Du.
gald Dalgetty fights for provender and plum
der-and sometimes for revenge-cost Judge
Poland nearly 200 votes. Berlin was the echo
of Montpelier in this business, and the votes
cast right here on either side the Winooski
have placed Washington county in posi-
ton in this congressional contest with which
a great majority of her towns, as shown by
their votes, have no sympathy.
Orleans county, the home of General
Grout, was the head and front of the raid
against Judge Poland. We think too well
of the leading republicans and the rank
and file of the republican voters in that
county to charge them with the RESPONSE
bility for the result there, but the individ-
uas for whom more than 1000 republican
votes throughout the district were swung
{ # from the regular nominee can hardly
complain if they are held to a strict
accountability for revolt against the
nominee of convention, which, it was
claimed at the time and events have since
proved the claim, was the free and sponta-
neous choice of the republicans Of the district.
1t was in their power by manly, honest,
outspoken condemnation, which should leave
no doubt as to the sincerity of their dis
approval of the movement, to have prevented
this political scandal and cover them
selves with honor that would have won
recognition. The old second district was
included intact in the new second. In
full convention it would furnish more than
two-thirds the delegates, and it was entirely
proper that it should have leading voice
in the choice of candidate, especially if it
named better man than either of the frag-
ments of the old first and third districts
When one of these fragments presented
candidate and he was rejected by decisive
majority, what shall be said of the rebellion
that was raised : 1t was the old saw, over
again, of the tail attempting to wag the dog,
with the usual inharmonious results. But
the contest is over, and however much some
Of its incidents may be regretted, it be-
hooves all good republicans now to turn
their attention to those things which make
for peace and "let the dead past bury its
dead"
In view of some things that have been
said in and out of print during the late
camraign, it may be just to.say to all whom
it may concern that the WATCHMAN en-.
dorses what aDnears editoriallv in ito ooI