The sun., 1890-05-30
Vermont.

That Spartan band of political warriors,
| the Democrats Of Vermont, have recently
| been going through the familiar and inter-
esting pastime OF holding a State Conven-
tion in Burlington. 1t met on Thursday,
and the pleasant tidings reach us that great
enthusiasm and no end OF vigor inspired the
800 delegates as well as the 800 visiting
statesmen who accompanied them from
Passampsic. Fletcher, Vergennes, Crafts
bury. Pomfret, Bakersfield, and Guildhall.
The Democracy of Vermont is some
what lacking In numbers. but it is a STERN
steady, and stalwart affair Never since the
organization OF the Republican party in
1856 have the Democrats carried the State
They have been outvoted each year. but they
have never disbanded. Indeed, there has
not been much political change in the inter-
vening thirty-lve years. The Green Noun
tain State went Republican In 1856 by 2s,OOO;
in 1850 by $4,000; in 1884 by 10000; in 1868 by
92,OOo in 1872 by $4,000; in 1876 by 24O0O; In
1880 by $1,000; in 1884 by %, OOO and in 1888
by $4,000. In fact, the difference between the
plurality given to FREMONT and DAYTON in
1856, and to HARRISON and MORTON In
1888 was exactly 4S votes in the entire
State, an unparalleled evidence Of in
veterAte, unyielding and deprecated poll
tical convictions. In no other constituency
have party lines been retained with such
precision. Nowhere have the political
changes incident TO the civil war, the recon-
struction period. the imitation craze, and the
tariff and temperance controversies, affected
the sentiments Of voters 80 slightly. or made
such small impress upon their suffrage and
allegiance.
For the Republicans OF Vermont the stu
alton is always pleasant. They win with
out anxiety, and almost without effort; but
with the Democrats OF the Green Mountain
State 1T Is different. They know we'll what
1t is to be knocked over. Yet at every sue
cessive election they come up smiling. work
hard, give strenuous battle, and then they
go down smiling, and are not heard from
until the next State Convention. There Is
something admirable in their steadfastness.
Nothing moves them, no defeat disturbs
them. II they have not gained in numbers
In thirty-five years. neither have they lost.
They have at least kept the Republicans at
bay, and they seem inclined to keep on In
the process, were 1t not for q small cloud OF
discontent which this year. for the first
time, manifests itself,
1t seems that there is q difficulty about
the momentous question who Is to be Chair |
man OF the State Committee. and as such
march at tho head In the column Of defeat. |
HIRAM ATKINS has held the place for |
eighteen years, during which the Democrats |
have lost every election. Against HIRAM |
few revolutionary and turbulent souls. the |
younger element. to the extent that any
younger element may be said to exist In
vermont, have raised the standard OF re-
volt. They demand a change, and propose
TO oust and overthrow HIRAM. But with q
caution and conservatism which does them
credit, they have selected gentleman whose
active Identification with the Democracy OF
vermont extends, II is said, over seventeen
years His name is SENECA HAzLEroN, and
he Is a Judge. But this episode is merely q
side issue. The Democrats of Vermont have
their slate all fixed. Just as In more doubtful
States. They will run candidates for all tho
offices. Governor. AouteDant-Gove
State Treasurer, Secretary OF State, and Au-
ditor of Accounts. Their candidates will be
beaten, but that will not preclude every gen-
line Democrat from voting for them.
What stirring lesson to the Democracy
Of other States Is furnished by the spectacle
IF the Vermont Democrats In solemn ses-
sion! There arc no vacancies In the ranks,
no bresks In the foroes, no rivGlrieS In the
oosoms. and no despair In the hearts OF
shese always defeated but ever courageous
They don't like to get licked, but
.Aey can't helpll.
Contrast tho case Of this indestructible
Democratic minority In Vermont With that
81 the Republican minority IN New York,
lhere 70 no talk Of eIpulSionS At Burlington;