Year: 1878

"Mr. President and Gentlemen of the
Contention L come before you to thank
you for this high honor which you have
bestowed upon me this day an honor
however, which has been by me un-
sought and entirely unexpected.
have at times, as it has doubtless been
the fortune of many in this district,
been approached by partial friends, and
told that they would like to suggest my
name for some office. But it has al
ways seemed to me that the pursuit of
my chosen profession, the comfort of
my own home, were more desirable than
public life in the present troublous
times, where national affairs are so
doubtful and uncertain, and a public
life in which young men and untried
men are unable to distinguish them
selves in the short term which is usually
allotted to them. | came to this con-
vention to-day as a Windham county
delegate from the town of BrattleborO,
hoping that Windham county might
unite upon some man, to present to this
convention as its candidate. In the
meeting of the Windham county dele
cation it was found that none of the
gentlemen whose names had been pre-
viously discussed, could secure the sup
port of the whole delegation. In an
unfortunate moment, or fortunate, as
the case may be, it was discovered that
they could unite upon me, and my name
was presented to this convention. OF
course, gentlemen, after the very fiat
tering and unanimous vote / have re-
ceived here to-day, cannot decline the
nomination, and | cam only stand before
you and thank you for it. And if it
should be the pleasure of the voters of
the district that | should be elected,
and should be enabled to take my seat
in Congress, l cannot but look forward
to that event with great anxiety for the
reason that the expectations of the peo-
pie in relation to their representative
are generally higher than can be real
lied. You must remember that our
party, which bears the proud title of
the Republican party, is now in mi
nOrity in Congress. Young men and
new men are not able at once to make
their influence felt or their voice heard
through the whole length and breadth
of the land, as it is your pleasure that
your representative in Congress should
be felt and heard. And let me say
here, gentlemen, with what pleasure
and pride--a pride and pleasure felt by
every citizen of Vermont have seen
the undisputed leadership which his
association in Congress have accorded
to our distinguished Senator, Mr.. Ed
munds. (Applause.) He has attained
his high position by the inherent virtue
of the great qualities in him, and all the
people of Vermont are proud of our
great Senator, and so are the people
throughout the length and breadth OF
this free land. (Renewed applause
Now, you mustn't expect, beg of you
not to expect your young member to
take very prominent position in the
House. 1t can't be done. can only
say, that l cordially thank you for the
high honor you have bestowed upon
me this day, and devote whatever abil-
tiles l possess, whatever power l have
to influence public opinion and legisla-
tion in behalf of good government and
Republican principles-and l don't
claim to possess those qualities in an
eminent degree-whatever / do possess
of those qualities shall be devoted to
your service, and to the service not
only of this district but of all the peo-
pie of Vermont, and all the people OF
the country. cloud applause.)


MR.. DENIsoN's SPEECH.


FellOW Citizens You don't wish tC
hear me but moment, know, because
the trains will be starting in ten OF fif.
teen minutes to take you to your homes
only wish to say that your action to.
day which will consolidate this district
from one end to the other, meets witt
my most hearty approval. loud ap.
plause.) l rejoice that Windham coun.
ty has at last agreed upon their man
and being personally intimate with Mr.
Tyler and knowing him we'll, rejoice
all the more that they have honore6
him with their choice, because no bet.
ter man exists in Windham county, and
when say that, l say that no better