Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-08-30
To the Polls.

"Let us see to it," said Governor Proc
tor in his admirable speech at the state
convention, that there be no off year in
our political duties" The day of election
is close at hand. The campaign has been
quiet one, Judged by the fiery standards OF
presidential years. There have been no
demonstrations appealing to the senses.
Voters will not go to the polls with the
strains of campaign music ringing in their
ears. Spectacular agencies have not been
invoked TO incite freemen to do their duty.
Orators have not expounded the political
law and gospel from every stump in the
state. The people are not inspired by the
thrilling consciousness that the nation is
anxiously watching "the star that never
SETS" nor are they nerved to do their full
duty by the reflection that the issue OF a
great national contest is hanging upon the
unanimity of the verdict they will render at
the polls. The coming election differs from
the last in its external aspect as the bust
ness meeting of a great corporation differs
from grand military parade. The question
whether Vermont shall go right or go wrong
in the management of her great material
and moral interests and in the prosecution
of reforms which have been but begun, is at
stake in the coming election Seldom dur
ing an off year have those interests vitality
affecting local prosperity been so freely and
f,,I1 -, tba ,,,b1io ut
political conventions or between individuals.
Party politics have had the slightest possible
connection with the issues of this campaign.
Those issues have been of local character.
The republican platform recognized the fact
that such should be the case, and any effort,
if it has been made, to couple on national
questions has been failure. A freedom in
criticising men and measures, and an indie
pendence in supporting nominees who fall
below the standard of requirements by
which the acceptability of candidates has
been guaged, has been INDUCED in, which, in
some cases, may have verged upon injustice,
but in the main has been salutary, and will,
we believe, result in the choice of legisla-
ture to which the making of the laws of the
state can be safely entrusted.
Governor Proctor's injunction was wise
and timely. Least of all should there be
an off year when the immediate personal in
terests of every voter are concerned. Music,
torches, Examinations and campaign oratory
should not have stronger power to bring
voters to the polls than questions like those
by which the fitness of every candidate for
office has been severely tested in this in
tensely practical campaign. No election is
unimportant. Let every voter bear this in
mind next Tuesday, and let Vermont pre-
sent the unwonted spectacle in the coming
election of polling in an off year full vote,
and of electing her officers-state, district
and county-by an undiminished majority.
The achievement of a result so desirable de-
ponds upon YOU, personally, republican
voter, and not upon your individual neigh
Dor or a neighboring town or county, and it
depends in the highest degree upon the
small and remote townships. If those do
their full duty, the highest expectations Of
full vote and a successful election will be
fully realized.