The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-12-26
Vermont and the Presidency.

of that paper into this state to ascertain
its presidential preferences. So far as
the writer could obtain representation
of the real feelings of The republican
voters of the state by stopping at few
of the larger towns, sitting down in hotels
and Offices and talking with politicians,
prominent citizens and office-holders, he
has, presumably, correctly reported the
results of his explorations among the
Green Mountains. He found Senator Ed
munds strong first choice--quslifed, he
says, by many "ifs" and "buts and
President Arthur an undoubted second
choice, with no leaning for Blaine, Logan,
or any of the secondary line of "men-
toned" statesmen. The communication
fills little more than two columns in the
Times, and is rambling, unmethodical
kind of production, employing much
space to develop very little, if anything,
that is new or important. 1t was hardly
necessary to come all the way from New
York to find out who is Vermont's I'M
doubted choice for the presidency, and
what Vermonters think of their great sens-
tor on whom their presidential preferences
center. This correspondent does not seem
to have discovered the full strength and the
real tone of the Edmunds sentiment in
Vermont, or to have observed its tendency
The yeomanry are for Edmunds first, last
and all the time, without any "ifs or
"buts." They believe that the time has
come when man of pure character, with
the best record for comprehensive states.
manship and the best equipment for the
duties of the presidential Office, should be
nominated, and if nominated, will be
most likely to be elected. They believe
their senior senator, beyond all question,
is that man that the very name of Ed
munds is in itself political canvass
They know that his reputation is not the
spectacular product of the makers of pc.
litical pyrotechnics, and that the achieve
ments with which his name is linked are
not the doubtful creation of campaign
thunder. They feel that in Edmunds the
party would have candidate whose solid
merits, irreproachable character and
demonstrated capacity would relieve the
presidential canvass of very much of its
anxiety, hardship and expense; that Ed
munds in himself alone would be the
strongest and most convincing kind of
campaign argument, and an absolutely
unanswerable and unassailable argument
They understand that with Edmunds for
a candidate the party would enter the
canvass on the highest attainable vantage
ground, and that by the invulnerable
strength of its candidate it could success.
fully maintain its ground; that, unham-
pered by the necessity of defending its
candidate, it would be in position for Wig.
orous and effective offensive warfare. We
believe this is the way the republicans of
Vermont, those who have an eye single to
the best interests and success of the party,
the best good to the nation, look at the
matter of Senator Edmunds' candidacy.
Back of all this is a secondary, a senti-
mental, feeling, that since the state can I'M
questionably name the man most fit to be
nominated to the presidency and most
likely to be elected, the loyalty of the
state to republicanism deserves recogni-
ton " at the hands of the national con-
vention. Since the organization of the
republican party, inspired by no hope of
political rewards, but persistently and
completely ignored in the distribution of
administration honors, she has invariably
led each presidential canvass with ma
jority at her September election that has
always been the sign of hope and triumph
to the national republican party. Yer
monters have felt mild kind of resent
ment that man who is really "larger
than the presidency has been once, and
may be again, set aside by factional an.
tagonism, or on grounds of political expe-
diency, or on geographical or other artif-
cial considerations. If the enthusiasm for
Edmunds is not demonstrative, it doubtless
comes of the dependence born of persist
emit sighting. Vermont is small state,
as sure to go republican as that the sun
will rise on election day. She is too con-
scious that anything she might say or do
would in no wise change the course of
events at Chicago to be very obstreperous
in asserting her preferences. The man is
here. 1t is for other states to summon
him if they want him, but they should
not withhold the summons by reason OF
any silly fear that he will not accept. It
is quite certain that such cold victuals as
have hitherto been spread for him will not
tempt his appetite, or persuade his friends
to make themselves ridiculous by clamor.
ing for an invitation for their fellow.
citizen to such a cherries feast.
The Times says editorially "These
Vermont republicans show great good
sense on one point. They look upon Mr.
Edmunds and speak of him as man Of
eminent fitness for the presidency itself
not merely for the canvass. The wore
laua;la hilifu Ia not fornI a.,