The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-07-30

shameful manner In which they had been over
borne by the agents who had secured the town
and vicinity, either refused to attend the caucus
or to vote in a body whose proceedings fraud
would make farce. These are some of the
facts that have come to light concerning eau
Gus whose action so stirs our pharsaical con-
temporary's exulting soul. Was it in view OF
the mysterious feeling" In other quarters,
OF unanimity 3" reached by means like the
above, by zebra ballots and other devices,
that the Express felt obliged nervously to pro-
test, in another article, that there has been
no packing of caucuses or buying OF votes, no
undue influences, no improper agencies, what
ever charges enemies may attempt to make.
In no place has this feeling been more marked
than in St. Johnsbury. Farmers left their
haying and went to the caucus with hayrack
loads of voters. Grout delegates were elected
by two hundred and fifty majority over
Hooker, Dillingham; and Poland" Why this
haste to anticipate and forestall charges "
that alleged "enemies" may attempt to make?
1t looks very much as il our guileless contem-
porary had been giving somebody away.
SOME discussion has arisen as to the time
when the republican party was formed, and
in what state the first republican convention
was held. AS bearing upon these points and
in reply to a request from its editor, Hon. E p,
Walton Of Montpelier wrote the following to
the St. Albans Messenger: &: "The last whig
state convention in Vermont was holden at
Rutland on the 7th of June, 1854. At this con-
vention a platform was adopted, which dis
olI uith ha and afu nf
| slavery and prepared the way for the union OF
all honest, Independent and patriotic men in
what may most fifty be styled the League Of
| Freedom. / so described the platform ed.
torially, June 9. 1854, and had the right 30 tc
| do, for drew it up and reported it to the con-
vention, having first received the approval Of
Lawrence Brainerd and Ryland Fletcher, well.
known leaders of the old liberal party At the
convention state ticket was formed, consist
ing of Stephen Royce for governor, Oscar L
| Shafter for acknowledgements and Henry M
| Bates for treasurer. On June 16, 1854, ar
anonymous call was published in THE WATCH
MAN for convention of all persons who are
in favor Of resisting, by all constitutions
means, the usurpations Of the propagandist
of slavery called, without distinction o
party to meet at Montpelier on July 4, 1854
This call was circulated in the expectation that
the whig convention would adjourn without
naming ticket, and ultimately received
large number of signatures. The day of meet
ing was changed, however, to July l3, tn
anniversary of the ordinance OF freedom o
1887. On that day the convention met AM
adopted resolutions in harmony with the Rut
land resolutions, differing in two materia
points only, to wit: the one adopting the nam
of republican, and the other approving tn
prohibitory law Of 1852. At this conventio
the following ticket Of state officers was named
E. p. Walton tmy father for governor, Rylan
Fletcher for ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and Henry N
Bates for treasurer. Subsequently Genera
Walton on the republican ticket and MI
Shafter on the whig ticket declined, and tn
state committees Of the two conventions sui
stituted for them Stephen Royce and Rylan
Fletcher, who. with Henry M. Bates, were tn
first republican state officers. Now let me say
il you choose to fix the birthday Of the II
publican party of Vermont on THEFT Of JUNE
1884, at Rutland, you will be substantial
correct, IL the excellence of q party consists
its principles; or, If you choose to fix its Dirt
at Montpelier on the 18th of july 1854, 70
will be literally correct, If the excellence of
party consists in its name"