Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-03-02
George II. EtlIn u DIS,


IFrom ths Long Island Farmer, Feb 22'.l
Confident as Democrats now are of sue
cess IN 1884, they are no more so than they
were in each Presidential election of the
past twenty years. They believe now that
| the Republican party is so divided by fac
| tional hates that cordial union on any can
dilatc is impossible, and already look upon
| the Presidency as secured, waiting only the
| Formally of an election to place it in Their
absolute possession. The necessary limits of
this article preclude us from contrasting the
condition of the Democratic party of to-
| day with Its shameful history during its
years Of power and after more than twenty
years of defeat, with the Republican party of
1860, waiting to take advantage of the divld-
cd Democracy. Our readers can do this for
| themselves. We desire to point ont the fall
lacy of the belief that Republican disasters
In 1882 prcsage Republican defeat in 1854
as Democratic discussions in 1859 pres
slgcd Democratic defeat in 1860.
The Republican party is stronger for its
self imposed defeats than it would have been
had ii won the elections of 1889. Had il
succeeded then, the war of factions would
have gone on with increased bitterness. Al
ready men would have been struggling for
the nomination in 1884 Stalwars and
llalf-breeds would lie preparing to renh each
other in the National Convention, each pre-
fcr!ing the success of the Democratic party
to that of the opposing faction in the Repub-
lican party, Congress would have continued
the suicidal policy of It's first session. The
great reforms demanded by the people would
have been neglected; Civil service reform,
economy in expenditures, reduction of the
taxes both on imports and internal revenue
would have received little attention. and tho
party would have suffered ignominous and
irctrcvablc defea, in 1884. 1t was great
enough and wise enough to discipline Itself
brave enough TO put the knife to its own
sores and cut them out by the root, and now
il is cleaner, healthier, moro vigorous, strong
or than ii has been for years. Both factiops
recognize the fact that they must unite'in
naming a candidate for the Presidency who
has been identified with neither and can be
supported by both and fortunately the
party las the man, an ideal candidate, avail
able, irrcproachable, unassailable, and who,
as q Presidential candidate, will be irrcsist
able. A man who does not seek the Office
or permit his friends to seek ii for him; who
shrinks from its responsibilities, and who
honestly prefers to remain member of the
body in which he has so faithfully served his
people and his country, and won a position
of acknowledged supremacy as II statesman
and as one of the ublest constitutional law.
yers in the Senate of the United States A
man of spotless record, who, during long
and conspicuous public service, has never
been even suspected of an improper ct, or Il
personal motive in vote or speech, whose
private life is US pure and clear as his public
life has been useful and patriotic. He is al
most alone among American statesmen in
having won great reputation through long
service in Congress without making bitter,
personal and political enemies in his own
party, or arousing tactional opposi-
ton, which has always been strong enough
in National Conventions to defeat
the nomination of our greatest states
men Clay, Webster and Seward
were conspicuous examples of this
before the war, and Blaine, Morton and
Cunklng since. But there are no such inilu.
ences against George Z. Edmunds of Yer
mont. The Republican party is exceptional
ly fortunate in having such man to nomi-
nate, and we are deeply gratiiied at the evil
dences of the favor with which his name is
received as Presidential candidate, which
are constantly reaching us through conversa-
ton with Republicans from all sections of
the country and in our exchanges. Should
the New England delegations in the next Ma
tional convention unite in presenting his
name, his nomination seems us certain us any J
future event can be. We hope that the folly
which caused New Englands votes to defeat
llamlin in 1864 and gave us Andy johnson,
and which defeated Blaine in 1875, will not
be repeated now that she has the best oppor-
tunity possible of elevatng one Of her noblest
and ablest sons to the Presidency.