The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-07-25
Vermont RepubIlcanIsm.

The meeting of the Republican
State Committee held in this city yes
terday was an encouraging one, be-
cause it indicated purpose, TO con-
duct an aggressive campaign, be-
cause there are no indications of a
serious third party movement in ting
state, and because SO many people in
addition to the members of the com
mittee showed an active interest in
the welfare of the party.
1t is right that NermonteTs should
show an interest in the campaign.
No state in the Union has been so
consistently loyal TO Republication
as has Vermont, and this has been
the loyalty CT conviction rather than
an inheritance of political convic-
tons. 1t may be argued that Yer
mont ought not to pose as a political
barometer, but as long as our cleo
lions are held under the present sys-
TEN the Vermont election returns
will be scanned with interest as an
indication of the trend of public op.n-
ion. Very likely before another ell
ection is held we will have changed
our time of election to November.
Therefore let us make an extra cf-
fort to roll up good majority for
the state ticket this fall.
Comparing the Republican aud
Democratic State tickets, there is
no good reason why a Republican
should leave his party and excellent
reasons why he should give It loyal
support. Mr.. Fletcher, the candi-
date for governor, has had training
for the office superior to that which
most governors have enjoyed, having
served in one branch or the other of
The State Legislature for the past ten
years During this period more pro
gressive legislation has been enacted
han during any similar period with
IN the memory of any man now liy-
ng, and in the enactment of that leg
station Mr.. Fletcher has borne a
prominent and an honorable part,
Nobody asks that Mr. Fletcher
shall be elected because he is a man
If large means, but having demon
,trated his fitness for the position it
would not be fair to disbar a man on
account of his wealth, or the size of
some quarters that Mr.. Fletcher used
/ large amount of money to secure
he nomination is without foundation
he cleanest waged in years. and Mr..
Fletcher incurred the hostility of not
few politicians because he stead
astly refused ito open a barrel "
The Journal believes that Mr..
Fletcher won his nomination fairly
md won it because a majority OF
republicans desired him to be their
andidate Ii believes that the State
closed with a kindly feel
ng toward the candidate ~ho was
defeated (which may make itself APP |
parent at a later day. II believes !
hat this is a time when a policy OF
harmony is peculiarly needed The |
republican party of the nation is al |
acked by its ancient enemies and by |
ONE who have been and should now
'e its friends. Every Republican who
otes for Howe instead of Fletcher
ives aid and comfort to the enemies
II the Republican party in a great |
risis.
This paper can see no reason why |
NY man who favors clean and honest |
,olitics and progressive policies |
hould fail o support the Republican
icket from top to bottom. If any |
otter is in doubt on any point let him
axe steps to investigate the matters |
hat trouble him. No man, no party. |
hould be condemned on he strength |
# some vague rumor that lacks sub
tantiation.
If the Republican party has been
# service in the past or is likely TO
'e of service in hte future. now is the
ime TO stand by il and give It aid.
Those who desire to modify its
policies can do so better from within
han from without the ranks. Let us
mite. therefore, in an attempt to
live a majority for the ticket that
hall carry good cheer to Republi-
ans everywhere Montpelier Jour-
lal