Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1894-06-21


with Hon. Henry c. Bates of ST. Johnsbury
presiding About 200 delegates out of a
possible 319 were present Gen. w. W
Grout of Barton was unanimously renomin-
ated by acclamation for his seventh term
He was placed in nomination by Alexander
Dunnett Of st. Johnshury and his nomina-
ton was seconded by Victor l. Spear of Or
auge county, L. A. Howe of Windsor coun-
ty and others.
Gen. Grout, on being notified of his NOM
ination, appeared before the convention and
spoke as follows:
Congressman Grout's speech.
Ten years ago | was put in nomination
for Congress by the republicans of this con
gressional district. In the several cam
pagns since then ] have been invited, and
sometimes urged, to be present at the CON
ventions which have repeatedly conferred
upon me this same high honor but have
n"ver felt quite like absent ng myself from
the sessions OF the House flor that purpose
have never, Iii TACT, telt quite safe to leave
the capital in the hands of our friends the
enemy.
But now, however, they are in sort of
dazed, do-nothing state, halting between
fear of their constituents on the one hands
their outraged constituents whose bushes,
they know they are running and on the
other hand fear of their great high priest
in the White House, whose whip is long
one, as many an unwilling democrat can
feelingly testify.
Now while the democratic House was in
this half f-paralyzed condition, ! concluded to
afford myself the pleasure the very great
pleasure, | assure you, of meeting in this
convention the delegates sent up here by the
people OF this congressional district. to
whom, ON account of their repeated expires
sions of confidence, | feel myself under
deep sense of obligation; an obligation which
| fear can never suitably acknowledge.
can only express to you, gentlemen of
the convention, my thanks for the great
honor of this unanimous nomination to-day.
and to the people, through you, their dele
gates my thanks, my sincere thanks, for
their long continued support Now. this is
all that | can do, except to strive-and. i
will ever strive-to make and keep myself
worthy Of this great confidence reposed in
me hv the people of this second congress
Bional district.
1t is natural that you should expect from
me on this occasion some observations of a
political nature. But the pleasure of being
here in Vermont in this glorious month of
June. among these grand old hills and am ii
these uxuriant fields dressed in living
green, bearing to the faithful husbundman
the early promise of an abundant harvest,
feel more like congratulating the people of
Vermont on their happy surroundings on
their freedom from busines, disturbances and
labor troubles; on their independence their
thrift and general prosperity
Happy Portion of Vermonters.
These scenes on every hand of rural COM
fort and plenty, while more populous and
wealthy sections are overwhelmed by the
present industrial depression, make me feel
that, instead of q political speech, it were
better to make plain to the people of Yer
mont, if not already so, the great good
fortune enjoyed by them in that middle
state in which, by the exercise of these
old fashioned virtues, industry and economy,
simple, but intelligent and independent
yes, happy lif- is found
safe between the frost~ that pinch the poor.
And the plaques that haunt the riCh man S
door.
Now this is the happy portion of the great
bulk of the people of Vermont. They are
above the distress Of poverty and below the
envy always held toward the rich and great
They are industrious and frugal, partly
from necessity, and what blessing turks in
that necessity. They are Intelligent, with
such love of the beautiful as picturesque,
pastoral surroundings always inspire. They
nre in short a liberty Owing law-abiding,
God-fearing, debt-paying people--mostly
republicans; for of such is the republican
party. And if Vermont only had a little
better roads, not built on the Coxey plan by
issuing bonds, but by moderate annual
tax which, by the way, she is now very
sensiby doing though she might perhaps
quicken her pace and if her sparkling
H.. a ~,
tribe, as they soon ought to be with two
fish cultural stations in the State her sum
mer population would be substantially in
creased; and she would speedily become as
famous for her summer attractions as she is
now for her republicansm. And with those
rugged hillsides still kept green with wav
ing fields by the hardy husbandman, al
her principal products such as butter sugar,
horses and men and women would not be
less either in quality or quantity; and for
them all there would be larger market
right here at home-especially if her count
less waterfalls were but harnessed to the
wheels of industry
Republi CAMS sm Means Prosperity.
But let me stop and, abrupt as it may
Beem, let me say, that it is not expect
ed that all or any of those splendid posi-
bilities will be realized till the return of the
republican party to power,
Now, if it be thought that | am not seri-
Gus, let me make myselfso and tell you why,
especially if the Wilson bill should become
a law, saying nothing of the many other
wild schemes projected by the democratic
majority at Washington, we can look for
no great prosperity at present. 1t is because
in the first place, stated in a general way,
there is not an industry nor an interest OF
any kind in Vermont, which that bill would
not affect unfavorably; not one-while with
some it will work absolute slaughter, such
for instance as the wool industry.
Is any one in doubt what would become
of sheep husbandry in Vermont with free
wool, and the duty on the imported animal
reduced from 81. 80 per head to 20 per cent
Il hnlnnn thnt this