The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1902-08-20
A CALL TO REPUBLICANS
For Loyal Support Of Their Ticket
at the September Election.

a Strong and Candid Statement From
the Republican State Committee,
Worthy of the Careful Considera-
ton of Every Member of the Party
To the Republican Voters of Yer
mont:
Since 1855 the Republican party of
Vermont has marched from its Conven-
ton hail to the polls with unbroken
ranks and loyal hearts to win constant
victories for its chosen standard bear
ers and its exalted principles Its de-
votion ans fealty to principles and
candidates have given it national
honor, distinction and Importance and
have secured for Vermont the proud
cognomen of the Star that never SETS"
While the long line of illustrious men
who have represented it in Congress,
who have been its chief executives, to-
gether with the marked civic virtue of
its legislators ana officials, with entire
absence of public scandals ana freedom
from all faint of corruption, have re
Elected peculiar credit. luster and honor
upon our beloved state until the name of
Vermont has become a national syno-
nym for political honesty and integrity
1t has had afore time sharp precon-
vention contests for honors to be con
ferred and has differed in council con
corning the principles to be enun
ciated but when the majority has spoken
through its representatives assembled
the minority has honorably accepted
and abided by the result.
1t has been reserved to this ,ear to
witness a departure from this time
honered, wise and patriotic course.
AT the Republican State Convention
held at Montpelier June 10th there were
three men supported for its first honor,
each by a constituency Of respectable
proportions. They submitted their
grounds Of preferment to the determine
ton of the Convention; one only could
win; two must suffer defeat. and when
defeated there was for them but one
| honorable alternative which was to &C
cept defeat like men and give their
hearty support to the Conventions
choice.
That the Convention finally selected
the man who on the first ballot led by
large plurality gave no ground Of Of
| fence to the unsuccessful candidates
and their friends. Indeed. one of these,
with his supporters by their magnani-
nous action, made possible the +, suit.
Then it was that the Clement bolt
began.
1t was without other cause than his
| defeat.
Knowing everything that he now
| knows about the delegates present and
| the method attending their election, be
accepted the membership of the Con-
vention, he accepted its platform, he
consented to be its candidate if selected
! The platform contained the words in its
I opening paragraph Resolved by the
Republicans of Vermont in Convention
assembled that we renew again our
fealty to the Republican party and eX-
press our unabated confidence in its
principles"
Through his delegates Mr. Clement
had participated in the Convention end
If he had been its nominee he would
have given it his loyal adherence and
would have confidently relied upon the
loyal support of his party.
Since the Convention nothing has
arisen. no fact has been discovered
which can justify any Republican in
attempting to defeat its chosen candi-
dates or to change the results of its de-
alterations.
In Mr.. Clement is found man who
is willing to be a candidate before a
Convention and bolter from its ac-
ton. Who now finds fault with the in
tegrity of a Convention which was
without fault if 1t nominated him but
was essentially corrupt if his opponent
was chosen. Who ignores the honorable
obligation resting upon defeated candi-
date and who is now willing to wreck
the party he aspired to lead; to openly
attack, denounce and defame the party
whose standard bearer he sought to be
and one who in order to promote his
political ends and fortune, secedes from
the party to which he pledged his loyal
faith at the late Convention.
Entering upon his pre'convention
campaign disclaiming all personal am
bition. with the avowed purpose of OBJ
tanning a single result, the referendum
of the liquor question. and the party
having consented that there might be
such reference, he Immediately upon
being notified of his defeat encouraged
and melted Republican detection and
in a few days after the Convention
appeared before the Republican Con
vention of his own County to urge the
passage of a license law without refer
ence to the people, and being defeated
there he has in furtherence of his pur
pose, promoted and secured a bolt from
It's action. Similar action has been in
spired and directed by him in Other
counties of the state. Claiming still t.
be a Republican on all national ques
tons and to be worthy of support 10y
Republicans as such, he consented an(
aspired to be the nominee of the late
State Democratic Convention and in IT.
Convention was regularly presented
for nomination and was therefore pre-
pared and willing to stand and run up
| which