Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-02-17
A Stirring Platform Unanimous
ly Adopted.
CLEVELAND REBUKED.
The Vermont Republicans Unit for Pro
lection of American Industry-Speech-
es by Hon. Guy G. NobIe. Col. Il. W.
Hooker, Hon. Henry Ballard
and Others.

MONTPELIER, Feb. 15-The convention
of republican clubs of Vermont held at
the opera house here to-day for the pur-
pose of forming State league, was one of
the most enthusiastic republican meetings
ever held in the State, and it was the gem
eral sentiment that the early organization
thus effected placed the party in better
fighting trim than ever before. The in
hueutial and representative men of the
party were present from all sections of the
State, imparting Il dignlied and substan-
tial tone to the convention and its pro-
ceedings. Among those in attendance
were such men as eX-Gov. J. l.. Barstow.
eX-Gov. Roswell Farnham, eX Congress
man w. G. Smith. Hon. Charles p. Marsh
of Woodstock, Col. G.. w. Hooker of Brat
tleborO, Hon. Warren Gibbs OF st. Albaus,
Maj. j, G. Stearns of Bradford, Hon. Jed
2. Ladd of Alburgh, Hon. w. H. Dubois
of Randolph, Hon. &. c. Noble of st. Al
bans, Col. T. c. Fletcher of st. Johns
bury, Hon. Hugh Henry of Chester,
Hon. E. Hen1y Powell of Richford, 1t
Gov. Levi X. Fuller, Gen. 7. 5. Peck, Col.
Albert Clarke, Gen. w. w. Henry, James
NJ. Slade, H. g Fisk, l.. O. Greene, Charles
Morgan, Hon. g. q. Benedict. DIR. II. y.
Holton, Hon. w. \. Weed, d. X. Simonds,
W. w. Stickney, Hon. NJ. 5. Colburn, Hon.
rs; stanton Gilbert a. Davis, Gen.
William Wells, Col. r. 5. Stranahan, Hon.
Henry Ballard, Hon. &. p Hogan, Dr.
Gen. Nichols, Hon. w. l.. Burnap, Hon.
Frank Plumley, Hon, j. p. Ladd, Hon.
A. b. Valentine, Hon NJ. A. Bingham,
S. f.. Hebard, George Hammond, Julius
North, and others.
The convention was called to order by
Guy Z. Noble, Esq, member for Vermont
of the executive committee OF the national
republican league, i'll the absence of
Hon. w. c. Dunton, cepresdent for
Vermont. Prayer was offered by Rev. j.
II. Hlncks, pastor of che Congregational
church of Montpelier.
MIR. NOBLE REMARKS.
M Noble reviewed some of the circum-
stances which called the convention TO-
gether, and congratulated its members on
the large representation of the republican
clubs of Vermont lie reviewed the work
of the convention of republican clubs held
in New York, the call for the formation OF
the Vermont State league of republican
clubs and the hearty response to the
call. The conviction had grown in the
public mind Of the party that more
thorough organization was necessary for
success III the next campaign. 1t was now
identlal election followed from the mac
Jivity of the republican voters of one State,
New \ ork, Eud IT was well that the organ
iZatlon OF republican clubs should have
started in mat State. The organization
OF the party showed its results in the last
election IN ONO. The speaker then re
terred to the value of organization
Politics ennObleda man when looked upon
rightly, and it was the design of the
national league to enforce this view on the
minds of republicans The clubs are not
ephemeral they are not strictly CamDaign
clubs, but are intended TO be perpetual for
the upOulI0lug OF the party and the secur-
ing OF the best interests of the country as
well. Their aim would he to disseminate
literature with the above end in view. The
speaker then referred to the methods that
had been adopted in some of the other
states. In Connecticut the clubs had es-
taDushed reading rooms, and in some
places debates were arranged for the dis
cusslon OF financial and other national
topics lie said that the clubs We're not
connned TO republicans as number OF
Young democrats had joined them in many
places.
The republican clubs are not intended
to take the place of the State and county
party machinery but after nominations
nave been made the clubs are to educate
the public mind. The clubs are to teach
the truth that principles are above per-
sons. lie then spoke of the illustration of
this teaching in the letter of withdrawal
of Mr. Blaine, the announcement of whose
name was greeted with hearty applause.
He spoke of the magnanmity therein ex-
hibited and then referred to the manner
IN which Mr.. Blaine responed TO Cleve-
lands free trade message. The presi,
dent had thrown down the free trade
gauntlet, we are here to take It up
The verdict which Vermont gives ON the
eve OF the presidential election is looked
tn in1ipa r. bp tgpn :
of public opinion Towns in adjoining
States have been affected by the meeting,
held in Vermont, aud therefore il behooyes
the Vermont republicans to make theil
majority at the September election Il.
large as possible for il may forecast tn,