The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-04-11


serving consideration, let the choice of the
national convention fall upon that man
who, while he Is fit in every way eminently
to fill the high position to which he is called,
worthy to be the successor of Lincoln and
of Grant, shall at the same time be such
one as shall lead us to certain and assured
victory. We want ability and availability
both. who shall our standard-bearer be?
Shall the choice of the convention fall upon
the favorte son of our neighbor of the south
Connectcut-that able and ready debater,
that staunch and true and steady fight
ing Joe Hawley?' Applause. Or there
may he those who think that his answer is
not final, and they would still follow once
again, like the soldiers of King Henry of
| Navarro, the white-plumed knight of Maine.
! [Great and prolonged applause. Or it may
| be that the choice will fall upon the modest
! soldier, he whose birthplace to-day is
! claimed and contended for by as many To-
calties as was that OF the bard of Scios isle
in ancient days. 1t may be that he in face
Of his objections, will be called once again,
| though this time in friendly civic contest,
| to lead our forces and chase the scampering
/ drawbacks up the valley of the Shenandoah
| gallant Phil Sheridan. Great applause
/ Or perhaps that other gray and grizzled
veteran, old Tecumseh himself, in whose
| old veins dances young blood, is destined to
! sweep this country, a. he once swept from
Atlanta to the sea. Applause Or turn
ing to the doubtful state of Indiana, the
]
the man who is as just in peace as he was
| brave in Wharf.-The upright Judge, whose
ermne is unspotted and whose fame is un-
sullied-the certain and sure and solid Ores
ham. Slight applause. Or perhaps that
other favOrite son of Indiana, whose name
carries victory with it-aye, whose very name
inherits victory and which would be but
the precursor of another log-cabin campaign
of 1S40-glorious Ben Harrison, will be Sc
! lected. Great applause Or, if your hearts
no sat nj II thara 10 Ohio vii hot
statesman who is every inch a publcist
whose services are Co-extensve with the
life of the republican party, whose funding
operations for four years while secretary of
the treasury place the name of the great
finance minister in history beside or above
that of Albert Gallatn-John Sherman Of
Ohio. Applause. Or, going further to the
Northwest, its delegations will present us
the name than which there is none purer,
stronger or better to conjure victory,
that of Senator Allison of Iowa. [Slight
applause. Or, returning to the East, if you
| think that the contest rests upon the EN-
pire State, if the pivotal state of New York
is to be secured beyond peradventure,
then your eyes will not be long in fastening
| themselves upon that charming, genial,
| popular gentleman-that brilliant speaker,
that witching orator, that man of affairs
and at the same time cultured scholar and
statesman, that best-balanced, finest
equipped, fullest-rounded, coolest-headed,
W
ard Of New Gork-Chauncey NJ. Depew.
[Great and lOng-continued applause. Or
it may be that the unknown is the unnamed,
| that our choice is to he some second Lincoln
or some second Grant, without any of the
weaknesses if they have any, which may
belong to some of those named-one in
whom the party shall have confidence in
his integrity and his invinciblity. No
brigadier of corps, not even the general of
a division, nothing less than the leader of
] t1,a 1nla rhn xx-in
into line every independent every half
breed and stalwart every regular and every
volunteer, shall lead us in November to a
combined victory of Gettysburg and Nicks-
burg"
General McCullough's speech was fire.
quently interrupted by hearty and pro-
longed applause. At its conclusion Frank
Plumley Esq, was loudly demanded and
responded with a brief but spirited speech
After returning thanks for the honor con-
ferred upon him. he said: I" The republican
party must not be party of mere negation
and opposition, but must point out the cure
for existing evils. The party has won its
victories in the past by vigorous, aggress-
i've policy, and it must continue in the same
course if it wishes to succeed. The protect
i've issue is the one great factor in the COM
ing contest The republican party must re-
member that in the slums and saloons it
finds no votes but when the eye is turned
to the home there is found the hope of the
/
this motto on our banner: The republican
party of 1888 shall succeed because it shall
deserve success"
Colonel Clarke, for the committee on reso-
lutions, then presented the following plat
form, which was unanimously adopted:
" The republicans of Vermont, reatfirming
their allegiance to the principles of liberty
and union which have been cardinal with
the party, declare upon questions now up
permost as follows:
" FirSt.-It is fundamental that elections
must be pure and honest. Undisputed facts
show that in several states maiorties are
practically DISTINGUISHED by intimidation,
frauds upon the ballot-boX and false returns.
Thus is the Constitution nullitied, and the
present democratic aScendancy in the house
of representatives and in the executive
branch of the government is usurpation.
Never before, except by hostile armies, has
popular government been so seriously i'm
periled. We know of but one remedy, and
that is the restoration to power of the party
which saved the Union and established the
equality of all men before the law, and
which alone has shown a purpose TO obey
and enforce the Constitution and see that it
protects the civil and political rights of
every man beneath the flag.
" .Second.-All revenue laws require oc-
casional revision to adapt them to the
changing circumstances of the country, but
we believe in protecting American markets
for American citizens. The democratic
president and the dominant faction of his
party propose to repeal much of the external
taxation which serves to exclude foreign
productions We favor such taxation,
of any sort, as will yield only the revenue
that the general welfare requires, and
since revenue is often increased by reduc-
tons in duties, we favor such tariff as will
obviate large surplus in the treasury and
protect our producers and artisans from
serious competition here with the produc-
tons of foreign capital and degraded labor.
" Third.-The guiding principle of our re-
lations with other countries should be peace
with honor and the means of preserving
both. Under this we should find the best
markets for our surplus productions, build
up "A merchant marine, control for the credit
and protection of American republics the
most feasible canal route between the
oceans, and treat for our fishermen without
the surrender of dignity or essential rights.
FourM-The policy of civil service re-
form inaugurated 10y the republican party
should be honestly executed and gradually
extended. Considering President Cleve-
lands brave PROMISES by which he drew
from the republicans "A small but sufficient
vote. the policy has sadly fallen into dis
aster and disgrace under his administration.
f.,, la,