The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-09
The Independents.

l. IO phluSCOloSl VI WV Soii AVi WV ~
publican state convention in Massachu-
sets ought to be acceptable to the " in
dependents" inasmuch as itinvites all,
without reference to previous political
alliances, but who now profess to be
republicans, to participate in the cleo
ton of delegates. The New York re-
publican state committee, in issuing
their call for a state convention, take
no note of past differences in the party,
but invite all voters who adhere to the
principles of the republican party to act
with the party, without regard to any
." fundamental test" The chairman
of the Connecticut republican state com
mittee has addressed somewhat con-
ciliatory letter to leading New Haven in
dependents, asking if they are not will
ing to return to the republican party, in
view of the evident abandonment of
all pretence of civil service reform by
the present administration. Thus far
the Massachusetts independents are not
responding with much heartiness to
any overtures for their return to their
former allegiance. The independents
in New York, who are getting little
distrustful of the democratic professions
of reform, show some disposition to CO.
operate with the republicans, provided
the latter make more acceptable NOM
nations than the democrats. That is,
they are willing to return to the repub
lican party if everything is fixed to suit
their peculiar notions. The only re-
spouse thus far to the appeal of the
chairman of the Connecticut republican
state committee comes from Everett
p. Wheeler of the New York civil SER
vice reform association, who commends,
almost unreservedly, President Cleve-
lands appointments, and plainly init
mates that the democratic party is adj
ministering the affairs of government in
manner acceptable to the reformers."
The present political conditions do
not appear very favorable to an early
return of the Independents to the repub-
lican party, and it may be doubted if
many of them can be induced to come
back save upon terms that no party
could accede to without positive humil-
iation. 1t is also apparent that the
policy of the administration in the fu-
ture will become so obnoxious to some
of the Independents that they will not
long remain attached to their new po-
litical allies. Probably some of them
will stick to the administration through
thick and thin, and try to persuade them
selves that it is doing great work for re-
FORM Others will realize the unfortunate
consequences of their action last year,
and will hereafter act with the republican
party, never again to affiliate with those
who sowed the seeds of discord and dis
traction in its ranks.
Perhaps the only sensible way for re-
publicans to deal with the independents,
at the present time, is to let them Sc
verely alone. Let all return to the
party that wish to; but no independent
ought to desire to come back, or expect
to occupy a prominent place in the
party councils, who does not acknowl-
edge himself believer in the princi-
pies held by the vast majority of the
party, and supporter of republican
candidates. No unreasonable or I'M
wise conditions should be made fol-
their return; but a party must consult
public ends and policies, and has a
right to protect itself from foes within
as well as from foes without. And the
party cannot well afford to bestow un.
merited honors upon those who con-
tributed to its overthrow.
Now we have no disposition to dis.
credit real independence in politics, and
it must be recognized as an important
element in compelling the fulfllment
of professions by parties. But the in
dependent movement of last year was
so evidently inspired by unworthy mo-
tives that il merits neither federation
nor respect. Many of the leaders il
that movement have become notoriou:
for boiling and betraying their party
and their return TO its ranks would
weaken rather than strengthen the or
ganization; though nobody can prevent
and no republican would desire to pre-
vent, anybody from acting with thu
party. The republican party will go a
far in promoting true civil service re
form as the interests of the public ser
vice and of the country requires; but i
cannot consent to make this the onl
issue, and abandon its position upol
the more vital issues of equal right
and protection of home industries
When the Independents, who are to
great extent the friends of the Brits
free-trade system and of other IN
American theories, ask the republica
party to abandon some of the chic
plans and purposes which justify it
continued existence as a political OF
ganization, they are asking altogethe
more than will ever be granted. INT