The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-02-16
COMMENTS ORIGINAL AND Sc
LECTED.


Two or three journals which claim to
be Republican in politics, are opposed to
the formation of Republican State
League. These journals are sort of free
traders, with only personal interests in
view and their influence does not reach
as far from their respective offices as the
steam from a hot flap-jack.
Our news columns, says the Era. con
talns the information that the Prohibit
tion party of Vermont are to hold con
ference at Middlebury Tuesday of next
week. Inasmuch as no one has ever de-
MED to the people living in Vermont
the exercise of their own opinions.there
is room in the State for the prohibition
party, or for that matter any other that
wants to assume name, and have a
place here, but it must be generally con
coded by any one with the least modi-
cum Of reasoning power that in State
where the majority is confessedly Re
publican. as in Vermont, and the Re
publicans are prohibitionists to man,
that the prohibitionists are about as use
full, aside from the majority as they
ALWAYS must be, as the fifth wheel to a
coach. We are not saying anything
against the prohlbitionits. They have a
right to their opinions, and have per
feet right to call conventions, nominate
officers and go through the political cir
Gus incident 10 such proceedings,if they
want to. But what's the use? The pro.
hibitionists can accomplish nothing in
Vermont by such methods. Their inhu-
ence as party, in Vermont can never
make itself felt, no more than that Of
the Democratic party, for the reason
that it ia always destined to be a hope
less minority. Should they, however,
Join issues with the Republican party,
and work to secure the election always
OF pronounced temperance men, such as
the Republican nominees generally are,
they might look for results and hope to
accomplish something If there remains
anything to accomplish.
| A labor commission is making some
ugly revelations in Montreal, disclosing
condition among the working classes,
especially in the cigar factories which
rivals some of the worst features Of
African slavery.
Is Friday an unlucky day? Washing
ton was born, Queen Victoria was mar
ried, Napoleon was born. Shakespeare
was born, the Battle of Bunker Hill was
fought, America was discovered, the
Mayflower landed, the Declaration of
Independence was signed, the Bastille
was destroyed, Lee surrendered, Rich
mond was evacuated, and the Battle OF
New Orleans was fought-all on Friday.
At Logan, Ohio, by recent act Of the
| Council, the court house bell is rung at
0 o'clock each evening as warning TO
parents to see to it that their children
are at home. II young boys or girls are
found roaming the streets after that
hour they are locked up. This is a
good rule for Bennington and other
towns in Vermont.
The Tribune's editorial on Mr.. Blaine's
letter of declination is as follows: "a
letter from Mr.. Blaine published this
morning Withdrawing his name so far
as it is in his power TO do SO from the
consideration of the Republicans for
nomination at their approaching Ma
tional Convention. This letter is no
surprise to those friends of his who have
known how reluctant he has been from
the outset to give the sanction even Of
silence to such consideration. 1t is the
simple fact that Mr.. Blaine was almost
dragooned by his friends into the candi-
dacies of 1880 and 1884, and that he has
constantly told them that he would not
be put into the position of even seeming
to seek denomination again. 1t has
long been evident that nothing but his
own positive action could prevent a re-
nomination this year, and 80 he has
finally felt forced to say to the public
what he has been saying in private"
Mr.. Blaine's letter shows him TO be a
greater man than many Of his enemies
have been disposed to adult. 1t will en-.
dear him IN the hearts Of his country
men and will not diminish the lustre Of
the name that will go to posterity.