The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-02-15
Republican Organization.

1880 in the republican maiorities in this
state of 1862 on the governor vote and
1909 on the presidential vote. Several
causes contributed to these results, not
the least of which was the lack of eff
cient party organization. 1t is crafty
ing to know that this error of omission
is not to be repeated this year. The
formation of republican clubs in all the
principal towns will doubtless be fol-
lowed by like organizations in many of
the smaller places, and by the time the
campaign begins in earnest Vermont
republicans will be better prepared for
aggressive and vigorous political work
than for some years before.
The work of republican organization
in Vermont is not regarded with much
favor by the democratic and so-called
Independent press, nor was this to be
expected. They blandly argue that
Vermont is surely republican any way !;
hence there is no need of extraordinary
measures by the republicans to carry
the state. But the republicans of Yer
mont understand the situation too well
to give heed to this specious sophistry.
They fully realize that critical presi-
dental campaign is at hand, and that it
will be replete with consequences of
momentous and vital importance. A
big republican majority in our state
election-much above the average of
other presidential years--will have an
inspiriting effect upon the republican
cause in other states, and its influence
may even turn the scale in favor of the re-
publicans in one or more of the politically
close states. On the other hand, only the
average republican majority, or some
thing less, would be more or less depress-
ing to republican prospects in other
states. OF this there can be no reason
able doubt. The earnest and sagacious
party leaders have foreseen this contin-
gency, and hence the early and well-di-
rected efforts to form republican clubs
and increase the circulation of leading
republican journals in the state.
There are those protesting to be
steadfast in the republican faith but
who have apparently been misled to
some extent by the delusive suggestions
of mugwumps and pretended reformers
in regard to political parties and issues,
and are disposed to look upon republic
can organization with feeling of dis
trust. Nothing can be wider of the
mark than to assume that the organiza-
ton of republican clubs comprehends an
Interior purpose-the booming of some
candidate, either state or national
for the movement is supported by all
classes and interests in the party, except
by those who have followed after the
mugwump procession, and in the lists
of officers and delegates elected by
these clubs we note representatives of
all shades of opinion in relation to can
didates and party policy. 1t is not easy
to account for any opposition to this
movement within the party, except that
in the apprehension of some it threat
ems to interfere with well-laid plans to
force certain weak candidates and irrele-
want or impracticable or bipartisan
measures upon the party, to the exclu-
sion of the more vital issues and policies
involved in the national campaign. 1t
is evident that no party can afford to
burden itself in presidential year with
issues of mere local interest upon which
there is a divided sentiment in the
party.
Now let no republican be deceived
by the sophistical reasoning which oc-
casionally finds utterance, that the diff
ference in our political parties is not
fundamental and irreconcilable; that the
country is as well governed by one
party as the other; that there are no
vital national issues, and that there is
nothing worthy of approval in practical
politics and party machinery. The re-
publican party stands for certain we'll
defined principles. 1t stands for good
government; for sound finance; for
protection of voters; for an honest
ballot and a fair count; for good laws
and their enforcement; for protection
to American labor and American in.
dustry. Here are comprehended issues
to absorb all the energies of the party
and they are not to be brushed away by
inventing some eXtraneous issue, nor
supplanted by questions of minor i'm,
portance. They stand out so plainly
that no man who is not a fool can fail
to perceive their essential character
The coming battle is to be fought upon
these issues, and nothing but the
most thorough and energetic republican
organization will avail to assure theil
triumph.
Mr.. Blaine's Withdrawal.