The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-04-21
The Opposition to Mr.. Edmunds.
HISTORY OF A CAMPAIGN
THAT FAILED.


test in Vermont is to be on the question Of
loyalty to, and support Of the republican
presidential ticket in the last campaign.
The Blaine sentiment dominates in the re-
publican party of the United States to-day.
The denomination of the " Plumed Knight"
seems more than probable in 1888. Leading
republican newspapers and prominent party
men are of the opinion that Mr. Blaine will
be elected If he receives the nomination.
The causes that contributed to republican
defeat in 1884 are so fully recognized by the
people of this state that 1t is unnecessary to
mention " the gentleman to whom you al
lude " in order to have it understood that
Senator Edmunds is one Of the " causes - re-
ferred to. Nevertheless, any facts will be
welcomed by republicans that throw light
on the history of a campaign that failed.
Apropos of the republican Waterloo of 1881,
we submit the following statement made by
Judge Luke p. Poland and furnished by a
reliable correspondent concerning the prep
aration and sending of the open letter from
the " Vermont delegation in congress to
the republican state convention in 1884. The
history of the preparation and forwarding of
this document Is somewhat interesting in
the light of subsequent events and the cir
cumstance forms link in the chain that
hung as an incubus about the neck of the
republican party in the presidential cam
paign-apathy and treachery being the an
chors which prevented the Union ship of
state from reaching port:
1t was the week preceding the time for
| holding the republican state convention in
Vermont" said Judge Poland, when re-
ceived word from Senator Edmunds to call
at his residence in Washington. On my ar
rival there / found Senator Morrill, and
| Congressman Stewart in consultation with
| Senator Edmunds. On entering the room
was handed letter by Senator Edmunds
which he had just received from promi-
nent Rutland county republican, the pur-
port of which was that the senator should
| refrain from sending any letter to the re-
publican state convention endorsing the
candidacy of James G. Blaine, who had re-
Gently been nominated for president by the
republican national convention The writer
spoke of the revolt in the ranks of the party
against Blaine, and urged Senator Edmunds
not to throw firebrand into the coming re-
publican state convention by any declaration
in favor of the nominees of the republican
party. Senator Edmunds, without stating
his opinion asked me to give my views on
the question presented. Briefly stated"
said Judge Poland, gave my opinion to
this effect Vermontis the first state to hold
a convention in the presidential campaign.
The republicans of the Green Mountain
State should speak in no uncertain voice at
the opening of the canvass. The coming con-
vention should heartily endorse the platform
and candidates of the Chicago convention.
Vermont should point the way for other
states to follow. The fact that she had a
favorite son at Chicago should make her en-
dorsement of Blaine and Logan all the
more pronounced In conclusion, / pro-
posed that ringing letter be sent to the
| convention, to be signed by the senators
and representatives in congress from Yer
mont. Senator Morrill, favored my PROPOSE
ton and Senator Edmunds and Congressman
Stewart gave their assent thereto. | was
selected to draw up the letter and submit it
for the other members of the delegation to
sign. The document was prepared in accord
| with the views pxnrpSSpU and |
it to Senator Edmunds for his approval
The senator retained it day and invited
me to come up to his house the following
evening to consider the letter. l promised
to do so, and called accordingly. Congress-
man Stewart was boarding with Senator
Edmunds at the time, and on my entering
the house / was met by Mr.. Stewart, who
said: Why, Judge Poland, | am surprised
to see you. Senator Edmunds and did not
expect to see you this evening and we con.
sequently failed to notify Senator Morrill, tc
come up L told Governor Stewart that
when / made an engagement 1 generally
kept it. After brief conversation he said
that he and Senator Edmunds had read the
letter over and that they had both come tc
the conclusion that it was best not to send
it, and therefore had not signed the letter
AT this | took my letter and left the house
The time was now so short before the day Of
the assembling of the state convention that
/ determined to mail the letter without
further delay. l did so without seeing
Senator Morrill,, who would have signed il
had it been submitted to him. Up TO the
time Of the meeting of the convention little
enthusiasm had been aroused for Blaine
and Logan among Vermont republicans
Republicans everywhere in the state felt
the need of some inspiriting words from
their recognized leader in the party to rouse
them from their apathy and stir them up tc
q sense of duty to party and to country. TC
whom could they look with more confidence
than to the man they had honored by three
successive elections to the senate of the
United States, and who had received the
unfaltering and loyal support as their candi.
date for president in two republican national
cOnventions?"
The state convention assembled. 1t was
a body of representative and loyal republi
cans-the largest gathering for years. The
republicans of Vermont felt the gravity Of
the situation and that they were to sound
the keynote of the presidential campaign
They were republicans before they Were
Edmunds men. The resolutions cordially
endorsed Blaine and Logan and pledged the
hearty support of the republicans of Yer
mont to the national nominees Every men.
ton of the name of James G.. Blaine evoked
enthusiastic applause. Before the conven
ton adjourned the chairman, Hon. Henry
G. Ide, read letter to the convention
signed by the Hon. Luke p. Poland Much
surprise was expressed at the time by mem
Senator Edmunds was not attached to the
letter. 1t was understood that Senator Nor
rill approved of the sentiments expressed
in the letter and that he would have signed
the document if opportunity had offered
During the campaign Senator Morrill, heart
lily endorsed Blaine and Logan and took an
active part in the canvass. Governor Stew.
art also came to the rescue and made num-
Der of strong speeches for Blaine and Logan
How many speeches did Senator Edmund.
make for the national ticket? There is
prevalent public impression that he was pre-
vented from endorsing the candidacy o
James G. Blaine ON account of his being
preoccupied in the preparation of the Draw
baugh telephone case in which he was lead
ing counsel. Mr.. Blaine was such bad
man, in the estimation of Senator Edmunds
that he could not commend him to the re
publican voters of the country, but he was
suddenly converted on election day anC
as it is claimed-for this " bad man " whom
he had previously denounced, Vermont re
publicans are loyal TO the party. They have
heaped honors on Mr.. Edmunds, and they
believe that if he had taken the active part
in behalf of Blaine and Logan which his
high position in the party required him tC
take there would now be no contest about the
offices, for there would be no democratic adj
ministraton with which to have a contest.
% If Senator Edmunds had signed that
} letter James G.. Blaine would have beer
elected president" said Judge Poland. Il
: would have changed the drift of the canvas,
and served as an inspiration to Vermont re-