The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-02-19
HO00Ted at Montpelier at a ROuSing Convention
Of Young Republicans Of the State.
Eloquent Grafton by Congressman Russell
of Connecticut Speeches by General
Howard, Governor Woodbury. and Others
at the Banquet Officers Elected


mutton of the storm, making somewhat
respondent the hearts of the young repub-
licans of Montpelier, who had long been
cipating the day and the celebration at
Montpelier of Lincoln's birthday by the
State Young Mems Republican Club. How
ever, by the time the noon trains had ar
rived the city was alive with enthusiastic
young republicans, accompanied by scores
of their elder brothers and many of the
state officers. The success OF the day was
assured and the occasion proved to be one
of the best and most largely attended young
republicans conventions ever held in the
state.
Speaker Stickney was at the Pavilion and
was busy throughout the day and night in
receiving the congratulations OF his friends.
On every hand he received the most cordial
assurances OF support that must have been
pleasing to him. Major Josiah circuit was
also early on hand, looking carefully after
any loose boards or stray rails that needed
attention on his political fences.
The keynote of the convention was
sounded in the opening speech OF President
George NJ Powers in the Opera House,
when be said: We contemplate no organ
lied raid upon the state Offices We be-
leve that merit should be the test of quail.
ficaton for public Office, regardless of rank
age or residence" There was, nevertheless
naturally on inc eve OF d bUaUe anu national
campaign more or less political discussion,
which conferred, so far as the state offices
are concerned, on the question whether
Grout or Stickney would be the next occu-
pant of the gubernatorial chair. Whenever
the names of Reed or Mckinley were men.
toned by any of the speakers of the day or
evening they were received with the widest
enthusiasm, indicating that either one Of
these men, as presidential candidate
would be most acceptable to the young re-
publicans of Vermont.
Shortly after two o'clock the procession
formed at the Pavilion, and, headed by the
Montpelier Military Band marched to the
Opera House, where the mass-meeting was
held. The stage was we'll filled with ladies,
and seated beside President Powers and the
speaker of the day were Governor Wood
bury, Lieutenant Governor Mansur and
General o. o. Howard. At the left of the
stage large portrait of Lincoln was grace
fully draped with the national colors.
After two selections by the band, and two
songs by A. j. Markham of Washington, d.
O., the famous campaign singer, who was
present through the fundamentally of Con-
gresham Powers, George M. Powers, the
state president, introduced Congressman
Russell in happy manner In closing his
introduction Mr.. Powers said: We are
upon the eve of another presidential cleo.
ton, the result of which will be OF far more
than usual Importance to the American
people; the result of which WILL to large
degree, determine the measure of our
moral, material and educational advance
ment in the closing years of the waning
century. 1 believe we shall be successful
in that contest; believe that the morning
of the new century will dawn amid the
glorious peace, plenty and prosperity which
is the assured result of republican success.
And now, gentlemen, invite your atten-
ton to an address worthy of the day and
occasion, by one who understands, not only
the wanta Of V6rmOnt and Nav ENGLAND
but also the broad necessities of the nation;
by con whose knowledge embraces manufac-
lures and markets, tariffs and trade, COM
MERGE and currency; by one whose ability
has been enriched by experience in public
affairs; by one whose power of illustration
and expression will add the charm and
finish Of oratory to its delivery. Such a
man l have the pleasure of introducing in
the well.chosen speaker of the day, Hon.
Charles A Russell of Connecticut"
Rousing cheers greeted Mr.. Russell as he
advanced to the front of the platform. In
opening he paid an eloquent tribute TO Yer
mont and to the help and stimulus Yer
mont has always given to the republican
party, wonderfully bracing and encourag-
ing it all over the country. " Vermont"
said Mr.. Russell, " has given to the country
her ablest statesmen in Edmunds and Nor
rill (cheers), her most honest, practical
legislative workers in Proctor and Grout
(renewed cheers) and the most accurate
legal direction in Powers aud Stewart"
The speaker paid his respects to the pres
emit democratic administration in the follow.
ing words: Yes, my friends, slowly and
YEARLY this democratic administration is
trudgng along the path which measures
the term OF its allotted life. When high
noon was struck in Washington to-day
democratic control of our government was
exactly 1856 days journey from its grave,
and there is not Joshua among us who, if
he had the power, would extend that journey
by minutes time in his command to the
sun to stand still. But there are hosts of
patriots in every section, who are Amer-
cans If they are not prophets, who would
accelerate, If they had the power, the dur
nal revolutions which should shorten the
democratic journey to the tomb. The in
terest in the funeral obsequies is not an in
terest to delay, but rather to hasten. Not
more eagerly did the children of Israel
await the parting of the waters which
should allow them to pass over into the
land of promise than do the voters of this
country await the coming of next Novem-
Der election day which will vouchsafe to
them the return OF republican control of the
nations interests Tremendous applause).
An instructive and interesting compari-
son of national expenditures under repub-
lican and democratic administrations was
made. In this connection the speaker said
" Any currency system in existence, or
any currency system which might be de-
vised, cannot supply revenue or honestly
convert a deficiency into a surplus on our
balance sheet of a years business. Re-
tire your greenbacks and your silver certif,
Gates, If you please, as the president urges
and make the currency-system, so far as
the government has part in IL, one of gold
coin and gold bond transactions exclusively
and how can it change for the better the
situation OF our national exchequeI? Place.
If you please, the receipts and expenditures
of the government on the presidents idea OF
a gold basis, and how can that offset the
more than fifty millions per year deficiency
in the democratic method of doing busnessf
The government cannot divorce itself from
the same conditions which control the in
dividual and the partnership and the cor
porations in business affairs. With the one
as well az with the other the profit of the
business makes the credit and the loss o.
the business makes the discredit With the
one as we'll as with the other the surplus
makes the prosperity and the deficiency
makes the disaster. The business worC
has the assurance, in tho present republi
can majority in the house and in the state
elections of last fall that the republica AZ