Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-09-01

Gentlemen:
The late George NJ. Stcarns, one of the
old warehouses of Massachusetts democ-
racy, and better known as the sage of
Chicopec," was wont to say, when re-
fcrring to the Democratic party Of Ver-
mont, that he could address them all
IN his back yard. Now If he were here
tonight and saw this magnificent au-
dience, he would have to enlarge his
back yard.
1t Is q fact that democrats were very
scarce in Vermont III those days. 1t took
n lot of courage to be a democratic al.
ways takes courage to be with the minor
fly. The few democrats I remember as
a boy in st. Adams. were objects of
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of pity.
Why. I remember that the little Bap-
fist Church in st. Adams called a young
man from New York State to be It's pas
tor After he was settled IT transpred
that he was n democrat. / need not tell
you that he had a hard time Of It. Tie
was fond of telling that he was the only
democrat IN the church, and undoubtedly
It was So He finally became an Episco-
palian and removed to New York
heard from him lately. He continues
to be good democrat. has n large and
prosperous church where he Is doing
great work. He congratulated me on
changing my political faith, even if !
sui remain Baptist.
But times have changed. The demo-
Gratis are increasing in number IN Yer
mont as we'll as elsewhere. After cleo
ton next Tuesday you will discover that
there are more democrats among your
Ncighbors than you thought possible.
i speak all the more confidently be-
CT use l have known your candidate for
governor, Hon Charles ID. Watson. from
boyhood. In fact were old school
mates at the Franklin county grammar
school in st. Adams. have followed his
career closely, and have seen how he has
grown in his town, county and State lie
is worthy of the confidence and vote OF
every good citizen In the State.
! am proud of the fact that I born
and reared in the grand old State OF
Vermont. have always had n deep
affection for. and n great interest in her
worthy sons and daughters. who are
scattered all over this great and pros
porous country, giving good accounts Of
themselves: making good" in all walks
OF life. From among these hills come
thrifty and sturdy men, true to their
principles.
The early environment and necessities
OF q person have much to do in shapin,,
the character and making for the sue
cess or failure in life. 1t has been said
that Vermont is a good place in which to
be born, good place in which to get
ones carly education. 20 learn the habits
of thrift and economy which stand by In
after life; but 1t has also been said that
Il was Il good State to emiGrate from In
other words that there were not the OPP
portunities for the young men and women
that are found In other States and Sec
tons OF our country. If this be so, we
ought to investigate the matter, and
take steps to change conditions as far as
IT Is In our power. Tho newspapers say
that the late census will show that Yer
mont has lost In population the past ter,
years and Is likely to have but single
congressional district in the next appor-
tionment. It IS the only State in the
Union showing a loss, although the other
| New England States have made relatively
small gains compared with other sections
| OF the country.
Now, l have believed for a good many
| years that not only tho people of Yer.
J mont, but of all New England were not
the country in business opportunities
and have also believed that the condi
lions were largely due TO the inIustic,
ard operation of our so-called protcctiy,
tariff system.
also believe that the time has com,
when these conditions must be changed
and that they can and will be changed
| without doing injustice to any section O
the country.
This is why | am hero tonight 4
carried me into politics and keeps m
there. I have been advocating thes
changes IN the interest of New En2lan,
md the whole country for the past te,
years in Massachusetts, within the Re
4 publican party. | was an original insur
gent republican. Now I am in the rank
Of the Democratic party. | am In IN
Democratic party because I see an 90
portunity for greater service to the peo
pie.
! am here Tonight to try to influenc
the republican voters in Vermont to be
come insurgent republicans and In tn
coming election to vote with the demo
Gratis.
VERMONT AN INSUFFICIENT STATE
Vermont was the ORIGINAL iusursen
Btate-insurgent in its organization a
q State. Just before the Revolution Yer
mont was so good thing that New Yor
wanted it, and New Hampshire wante
It. but the Green Mountain Boys unde
Ethan Allen took up arms and declare
that Vermont belonged TO itself. and a
they wanted was what was right" an
It was right" to govern themselves a
State.
While they were talking it over cam
thu outbreak of the Revolution, with tina
same eternal question of What
Right as the cause, and none Gid NOR
to give us n free country with the riet
Of self government than Ethan ALE
and the Green Mountain Boys.
AS born Vermonter,I imbibed som
of this Green Mountain spirit. I think
was something Of this Vermont spir
which made me an insurgent, and cause
me to fight within the ranks Of the r,
publican party these ten years past {,
what / believed to be right. ! became
democrat when | was convinced that
was my duty to leave the Republca
party.
LINCOLN AN INSUFFICIENT.
Lincoln in his day was an insurgen
u was the insurgency of the wings an
democrats which formed the Republca
party They were Obliged to go GU
Hde or their parties because their priI
einles were denied avnraoStop