The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-02-17
Republican League Convention.

party at Burlington, on the 18th inst, |
was answered by some eighty clubs, send |
ing some $50 delegates. There was also a |
large gathering of prominent republicans
from all parts OF the state, attracted to the |
meeting by the common interest the meet |
ing excited. Thursday afternoon the Office |
and corridors OF the Van Ness presented
the appearance Of a state nominating con-
vention In the number of prominent republi- |
cans in attendance and in the interest that
was everywhere manifest. General j. G..
Mccullough of Bennington and Colonel X.
j. Kimball of West Randolph had come up
from New York city. Men of the stamp OF
Governor Page Of Hyde Park, ex. Governor
W. p. Dillingham; of Waterbury, Hon. s.
ID. Hobson of Brighton, A B. Valentine of
Bennington, +. A. Dwinell OF Montpelier,
Joel G. Baker Of Rutland. II. G. Ide and II.
@. Bates of ST. Johnsbury, H. NJ. Arms of
Springfield, M. s. Colburn of Manchester,
u. s. Stanton of Roxbury, Josiah Grout OF
Derby, j. j. Estey OF Brattleboro, ex Gov
ernor Barstow Of Shelburne, Colonel l.. X.
Fuller OF Brattleboro, General Wells and
Northumberland Woodbury. of Bur-
lington, General l.. G. Kingsley OF Rutland,
G. w. Wing, Esq, and L. Bart Cross of
Montpelier were present, with multitude
OF others whose names always appear in
Vermont's quadrennal feat of leading the
way to national republican success-and
their names belong to the get-there-class.
THE BANQUET.
The republicans of Burlington had ten
dered the delegates and invited guests ban
qBet on Thursday evening at the Van Ness
house. The dining-room Of this famous
hotel had been decorated with flags for the
occasion, and above the chair OF the presid-
ing officer was the portrait OF Lincoln
draped with the national colors. At the
center OF long table occupying the east
erly side Of the hall sat the presiding officer,
Colonel G. W. Hooker; on either hand sat
the invited guests and the speakers Of the
occasion. The delegates and their hosts,
the members Of the Grant Club, occupied
the remaining tables. Full 300 sat down to
the banquet A choice bill of fare was
distinction in catering to the wants OF the
multitude. AT about nine o'clock Colonel
Hooker raped the assemblage to order.
Major Grout, he explained. had been I'M
avoidably detained at Montreal but would
be present and preside on the following day.
Colonel Hooker read the following letter
from Hon. George F. Edmunds to the sec
rotary of the club:
AIKEN, s. c., February s. 1892
My Dear Sir: have your kind note of the
first instant. / feel very much honored in
being invited to address the meeting OF the
republican league of Vermont on the 18th
| instant. l much regret that it is not posi-.
ble-consistently with the objects that have
made this place our present residence-for
| me to go to Burlington for the occasion.
| The best phase of practical patriotism at pres
ent known to me is the sturdy, honest and
earnest and unselfsh republicanism OF Yer
| mont. Success in every work depends on
organized cooperation, and to that our
brethren everywhere ought primarily to de.
vote themselves. am very glad, therefore,
that thus early the Vermonters are coming
| to the front and are closing up the lines for
| the great battle we are to wage for equal
rights of citizens, of labor, of capital and of
| faith-the cause of our own country and all
| its people first, and as a consequence the
people of every other. Very truly yours,
GEORGE +. EDMUNDs.
A letter from President Harrison was
read, acknowledging the secretary's invita-
ton to be present and expressing his regret
that public business would prevent his at
tendance. Frank Plumley. Esq, was the
first speaker called out, who closed ringing
address, urging the necessity for strong or
ganization, with the reminder I" that where
we have eighty clubs we must have three
| times eighty earnestly working for the in
terests OF the republican party. Let our
watchword be in future as ever in the past,
we will win because we deserve it, D."
General Mccullough, fresh from the state
| of Hill and "snap" political methods,
| made some suggestive comparisons between
Vermont and New York. The democratic
sun had often set, but it had never Matched
anything but mischief rmont has the
post of honor. Hers is the first election
the world knows hOW she will go, but the
republican party of the United States wants
to know hoO far she will go. Shall it be, as
Colonel Hooker says, 25,8O0 or 80, 900 ma
jority? That rests with you. 1t rests pri-
marily with the efforts Of the republican
league clubs. 1t rests particularly with
the young men OF the party, what the
answer shall he. What assurance do you
give tonight? What is the best answer
you can give to your brother republicans in
other states? AS Mr.. Edmunds says, it is
to organize. Let our watchword be concert
of action and discipline. Every one knows
in the army, in the field of industries and
of business, in the domain of politics, that
the disciplined corps wins the day and the
victory every time. 1t is the organization
that makes the triumph. 1t was the most
potent political force in the campaign Of
1867 it made the great Lincoln president of
the United States. Referring to the we'll
known unwavering policy of the Vermont
delegation at the national republican con-
vention which nominated Harrison, he said
Some carping New Yorker will say they
we're only eight, but, If they will read their
Bible, they will find out that eight once
saved the race; that was in the days of
Noah. As Mr.. Clay used to tell the old
Wings in the earlier days, "Get up in the
morning, awake, arise shake off the dew
drops from your garments, buckle on your
shield and grapple your sword, and advance
to the conquest and the day and the cause
is won"
Ex-Governor Dillingham; brought down
the house and Charlie Forbes by an exceed
ingly pat story and well-timed hit, and
then launched out into such an address az
he makes on great public occasions-intelli-
gent thoughtful weighty, full of fiery earn
estness. His conception of the underlying
requirement of good and int ligent citizen
ship was received with expressions of warm
assent. His tribute to young men who in the
arduous duties of the military service of the
country in the time of the civil war, devel-
oped into veterans in experience and judg-
ment, was graphic and eloquent and drew
the acclamations of an intensely interested
auditory. "In politics" he said, when the
campaign is on bring out the boys. The
hope of the party is in these young men.
NY exhortation is. that you organize this
club and work the young men in and then
give them any amount of the best reading
on these subjects, and just as fast as you do
that the republican majority is going TO
roll up" Mr. Dillingham; was honored at
the close of his address with round on
round of fervid applause, and at length
arose and bowed his nowedgements,
Colonel Hooker remarking that no encOres
could be allowed owing to the length OF the
bill.
Colonel Levi X. Fuller paid an eloquent
tribute to the memory of Lincoln lie mar