Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1894-06-15
No New Organization.
Encourage Young Republicans to Come
to the Front, but DO Not Sow the Seeds
of DIssensiOn.

Encourage Young Republicans to Come
to the Front, but DO Not Sow the Seeds
of DIssensiOn.
"Vermont's young Republicans" is the
caption of an extended editorial in the
Burlington Free Fress. After reviewing
and commenting upon the facts that the
young men are given no recognized place
in the party councils in this state, and that
they are not receiving the proper training
for future responsibilities, the Free Press
says that some of the thoughtful party
leaders have concluded that radical steps
should be taken for effecting a thorough
reform in this respect.
They have consequently formulated a
plan for the formation of an organization
to be known as the Young Mems Republi-
can club of Vermont or some other such
name, with subordinate clubs in every
town in the state. 1t is not expected that
this organization will in any way antagon-
ize or supersede the Republican league,
but that it shall be confined to young men
exclusively. Neither is this organization.
projected in the interests of any man or
any set of men, in ,he present campaign, or
in any contest to follow. The idea is sole
ly to educate the young men in relation to
the issues of the day, to give them training
in the matter of participating in and CON
ducting deliberative assemblies, and to pre-
pare them for the work which will sooner or
later fall to their hands in town and state
"lt is proposed that temporary organi-
cation of the young mems Republican club
be effected after the holding of the coming
Republican state convention in Montpelier,
and that committee be appointed at that
time who shall formulate constitution
and bylaws and report at an adjourned
| meeting. 1t is also proposed that this ad-
journed meeting take the form of state
convention to be held some time, say in
August, and that some young Republican
| of national reputation like Senator Lodge
of Massachusetts be secured to deliver an
| address to the young Republicans of Yer
mont.
This plan has been favorably recon-
mended by Senator Proctor, Congressman
Powers, and prominent members of the
| party in various parts of the state, and if
carried out as it should be in the details
which readily suggest themselves, young
mems Republican club of Vermont ought
| to be grand success. Such movement
! would not only ensure the party the abid-
| ing loyalty of its young men, but it would
also make these young men more intelli-
| gent and active, and, therefore, more use
ful citizens. It'is true in the matter OF
| good government, as in a higher realm,
that he that is not for us is against us, and
| in this age of socialist and populist ten
denotes there cannot be too many young
men on the right side"
] 10 81
| glittering generalities in the Free Press
article. The energy characteristic of youth
is never more felt than in politics, but in
Vermont the Republicans have been re-
garded as nursery politicians until well ad
! vanced in life. But to form a state organ
ization in the party with the membership
limited to young men would mean trouble
| Such club would no sooner be completed
than certain of its members would devel
! op ambitions beyond their abilities. They
would appeal to and would doubtless re
ceive, to a certain extent at least, tn,
support of their organization. The re
suit would be dissensions and factions
factors for the weakening of any party.
liz gOIAliS LhNli vi lLlC pdlIN "
given the recognition they deserve-this il
what is needed and not new organiza
tion for young men only.
We have a state Republican league, bu
it is a useless appendage. Its existence
not known save at its biennial elections
The good that it has done the party is infn
itessimal. Younger men as its leaders woul
accomplish more perceptible results. Civ
the league into the hands of the youn!
men as its managers, but let all Republi
cans have place in its ranks. Encourag
the young men to study and discuss polti
cal problems; to participate in the publ
meetings; admit them to the party cour
ellis; put them in places of responsibilit
whenever they show they are fit to be ther
but do not make the mistake of attempt
ing to draw them to the party for wha