The Washington critic., 1886-06-30
THE SITUATION IN VERMONT.

A reliable correspondent t Burling-
ton, Vt, desires TO correct the current
impression that In the late Republican
State Convention there was any strict
drawing of partisan lines between the
friends of Senator Edmund5 and the
friends of Mr. Blaine. He informs us
that many of the newspaper state
ments with regard to this matter are
misleading, and signify conditions of
political sentiment which do not exist.
According to the writer the fact that
certain delegates supported Mr..
Batchelder for Governor in preference
to Mr. Ormsbee by no means implied
their hostility to the reelection of
Senator Edmunds. On the contrary,
says the writer.
"At least thrcc-fourths OF the delegates
who voted for Mr.. Batchelder are in favor
OF Mr.. Edmuuds for Senator, and would
consider It a great mistake not to re-elect
him. At the same time they do not wish IL
understood that they iudorse his course
during the last Presidential campaign.
Had not Mr.. Ormsbec been our present
Lieutenant-Governor he would not have
received the nomination. As to the merits
of the two men-Mr. Ormsbee and Mr..
Batchelder-tho latter is by far the ablest
and the brightest man, and II had been Il
delegate to the convention would have
voted for Mr.. Batchelder. l think him the
best man Of the two, and l am In favor of
Mr.. Edmunds for Senator. Mr.. Ormsbee
will make good Governor-good enough
for Vermont. l have been acquainted with
Mr.. Edmunds for twenty-four years,
q neighbor for fifteen years and would have
been glad to have had him nominated and
elected President in 1884. At the same
time consider that he made grave mis-
take in not supporting Mr.. Blaine, and most
OF his friends are of the same opinion. II
We are somewhat divided here In Vermont
on Mr.. Edmunds he can blame himself for
1t and no one else, and | am inclined t3
think he looks at 1t in that way. Honestly
believe that Mr.. Edmunds' opposition to Mr..
Blaine arises, principally, from spirit Of
personal jealousy. warmly supported Mr..
Blaine after he was nominated, believing he
was the choice Of the party, and he should
have been elected, and in the same spirit
believe Mr.. Edmunds to be the choice OF
the party in Vermont for Senator and he
should and will be elected Mr.. Blalne's rec
ord may not have been just what we would
like TO have had 1t In all respects-and can
you name the man whose record has been
suchP Mr.. Edmunds' political record has
not, know, been entirely above reproach.
But like to see all men treated honestly
and justly"
This, we take it, is a fair outline of
Republican feeling in the Green Noun
tain State, as between Mr.. EdmuuIs
and Mr.. Blaine. The party may not be
altogether satisfied with either, but the
"kickers" are very few.
1t would have been better, perhaps,
for Mr.. Edmunds If he had not done
any kicking himself, but the temper of
his party is eminently forbearing, and,
as we infer from the tone of our cor
respondents letter, old grudges are no
kept on hand to be used for political
revenges. In some States the Senator
would never have been forgiven for
turning cold shoulder on Mr.. Blaine.
Vermont, more kindly and calculating,
takes good care of the few great men
she has and pardons their eccentrlcties