Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-05-23
THE NEW YORK INDEPENDENTS.

The conference committee, OF which Gen
eral f, G. Barlow is chairman, recently ap-
pointed by the Independent Republican
organization OF New York, has sent 90
address to each delegate to the Republican
National conventiDn-an address not at all
minatory nor favoriDg or opposing any par
ticuar candidate but simply counselling
the delegates what course to adopt in order
TO secure the success which all desire. The
committee says, and with obvious truth and
force, that in order to succeed the Repub-
licaus must carry New York and the eau.
vass OF 1882 when Judge Folger was buried
under an adverse majority Of two hundred
Thousand votes, is used as fair illustration
Of what might happen again In New York,
| with poor candidate and lntolerable man.
| agement. In fact, as the address suggests, a
change OF single vote in each school dis.
trict 10 that State weuld wipe out Repub-
licau majority as large as thst of 1880. The
narrow margin in New York, under the
best conditions is a warning against doubt
full experiments. 1t must be remembered,
too, that the disposition 10 bolt improper
nominations has increased decidedly since
1889. Consequently, New York, State
hard TO carry in any event, viii be forfeited
by the Republicans II the Independents are
repealed by an obnoxious nomination. The
committee also describes candidates whom,
in its judgement, it will not be prudent 10
present TO voters. One objectional feature
of an asprants record. it contends, would be
conspicuous association with the faction
fights in New York, and another would be
advocacy Of an unsound money system"
Still another Objectionable man would be
'any candidate likely to launch the govern
ment into fantastic or adventurous policy
calculated to bring about q disturbance OF
our peaceable intercourse with foreign
countries" And delegates are reminded that
a defensive fight" would be an intolerable
burden. AS the address says; "In this re-
spcct nothing could be more disastrous than
the nomination Of q candidate however
popular, with an unclean or justly assail-
able record as to his integrity. The discus
| sions OF the campaign would inevitably turn
up this point, and we have good reason to
apprehend that the moral sentiment which
has always been strong in the Republican
party would bring forth an extensive revolt
In its ranks The committee puts 10 a re-
minder that excellent material Ia available
for the nomination. and that the party is not
shut up to the selection Ct men OF doubtful
record and it concludes that 10 awaken
popular distrust or to create dissension with
in the patty by an injudicious nomlr alton
would be au inexcusable act.
These considerations certainly ought to
commend themselves to the Judgment OF
every candid delegate We notice how
ever, that the New York Tribune IS not
altogether pleased with them. Aware that
its candidate, Mr. Blaine, is now on the de-
fensive and that be must continue 30 il
kept before the party aud the people, it
squarely fights the proposition that the Re-
publican party Cannot afford to burden
Itself with defensive cam faign." at can
afford TO do just that says the Tribune
This is bold declaration it could not be
boiler if made by Mr. Blaine himself. But
1t is not therefore true one for it practi-
cally amounts under the crcumst ances to a
declsa'lor that the Republican party can
afford 10 risk probable defeat