New-York tribune., 1896-09-03
THE TICTOnI.

Vermont gives great encouragement, but there
fore may possibly do harm. 1t is a profound
satisfaction TO find the people of an Eastern
State rising. with degree Of unanimity never
e0uaed even during the War. to resist the AS
sault of Regulators and Anarchists upon the
National honor and safety. Ii Is now known
that the plurality is the largest the state has
ever given. The splendid appeal Of eX-Miniser
Phelps was evidently accepted by many Demo-
Gratis in Vernon. as the right guide for their
own action. and in voting directly for the Re-
publican ticket they did what they could to teach
the Anarchists that their destructive doctrines
had no chance whatever in quiet farming state.
far removed from the influence of monetary
centres. 1t has been observed. ever since the
Republican party came into power. that plu-
raltv in Vermont below or close to 10000 was
sign Of danger. and indicated weakness
or dissatisfaction Of the Republican force, and
it has always been followed by a National de-
feat or close and doubtful result. But when
ever the plurality in Vermont has risen much
above 10000 it has been found a sure indica-
ton of Republican victory. This year a plu-
ralty closely approaching 10000 seems TO mean
a revoluton not merely great Republican unity
and determination. but n powerful revolt OF
patriotic Democrats against the platform aud
candidates of that party.
The danger is that this encouragement may 90
too far and may lessen in some quarters the
effort for a complete overthrow of Bryanism
1t is easy for men who love their ease or care
for their money to presume that patriotism does
not require effort. when the course of events
appears to promise overwhelming victory with
out further effort. But the State of Vermont has
never been inclined TO the sOft-mOney hcreSy in
any form When the Greenback craze swept
over Maine Vermont was almost wholly free
from it, Tbe desire 10 rob somebody by chang
ing the measure OF values is not adapted TO Yer
mont soil Moreover the State has no large
cities largely inhabited by men susceptible TO
the influence of Socialists and agitaors. It's
farmers are not Of the kind who grow wheat or
cotton for export but are directly and largely
affected by the tariff. Their most important
markets are the manufacturing towns and cities,
which thrive only when general prosperity is
secured by adequate duties.
Obviously Vermont does not afford complete
test of the effect of false notions. which have
largely Influenced the voters in many Western
and Southern States II would. therefore, be II
great mistake for Republicans to infer that Yer
mont gave certain indication of the failure Of
Bryanisir in its appeal to farmers of the West
or TO workngnen of the cities Any relaxation
Of effort, any neglect in the campaign of cduca-
ton. would be most unwlsc. for Vermont needs
educating less than most States. and has fewer
weeds of Socialism. Reputation and Anarchy
to uproot than almost ary other 1T is great
victory and will strengthen Republicans every
where, but they need the wisdom 10 go straight
ahead with their work. as carefully and thor
oughly and energetically as If Vermont had not
spoken.