Year: 1872

Rarely has Vermont witnessed such
gathering of the representative men OF
any political party, as were present at
the Union Republican State Convention
at Bellows Falls on Wednesday. The
lonr time tried and true men of the par
tty, some who were at its birth, and have
stool manfully by its tortunes-the
staunch yeomany who have sustained it
by their influence and their vote, the
leaders who have promoted its interests
by pen and voice-the veterans-the
able men and young mcn of the com
monwealth, were there to pronounce
their loyalty to it and the administra-
ton Of its creation. Can there be weak
ness and elements Of decay in the party
and are the men corrupt that brings out
from amid our mountains such an as
semblage, to sustain its principles and
endorse its standard bearers. The in
fuenae which will go abroad from its
proceedings, will have a wholesome eff
feet upon the counsels Of the Republi-
can party. The prevailing harmony,
the character of its delegation, the ring
of it's resolutions, the address of its pre-
siding officer will GO out to the country
as the expression of the reliable and
steadfastmcn of the State, that have ever
been loyal to the cause of human rights,
and broader and higher civilization in
this young Republic.


~ go -
fttingly conferred upon one whom the
people Of Vermont have long desired to
see and hear 1t is eminently proper that
gentleman who has been so PROMINENT
ly mentioned in connection with the
>Goyernorship should be called to posi-
.tion where he could give expression to
his views of current political affairs as
well as that his utterances may go before
the world as the voice of the Re
pu1'ta ans Cf Vermont.


NJ. Billings ON assuming the position
to which he had been called, properly
took occasion to address the convention
in a broad, comprehensive, logical con
servltive speech upon the past, present
and future of the Republican party, TAX
ing liberal yet careful view of the as
pect of public affairs, not eXtenuatin~
any of the acts of the administration, or
undertaking any of the conflicts or di-
cisions within or without the party. He
gave bold utterance upon all important
issues, expressing the opinion that the
highest political welfare of the country
demanded the continued asCeudency Of
the Republican party. The address was
not a local or partisan, but a statesman
like presentation of the whole political
field, and will go forth not only to the
people of our State but before the whole
country as a high toned and able review
of public affairs. Vermont should take
pride that she numbers among her
sons one whose opinions will attract
su,h wide attention and discussion both
at home and abroad.


Another cause of COngratulation as
result of the convention, is the selection
with great unanimity of an able delega-
tion, high toned in character, loyal yet
conservative, to whom all questions
that may arise in the National Conyen-
ton may be committed with entire con-
fidenc4 in their action and decision.
Ex-Governor John Gregory Smith has
Al almost National reputation, and in
his name the party throughout the cOun-
try will feel assured thatVermOnt has sent
her foremost man. He understands our
people and their wishes standing at the
head of the railway interests of the State
Thus familiar with the people and their
epiAions our State has never sent re
preventative better prepared to speak for
all her varied interests than Gov. Smith.
In Horace Fairbanks is recognized a
gentleman of high character, who stands
at the head of one of the leading indus
tries of the State, and whose practical
Judgment will enable him to aid In solv-
ing any Of the perpleXing questions that
may arise. He too has wide reputa-
afon abroad which will give another as
Surance that Vermont stands loyal to
the principles of the party. Hon. Ben
iaman II. Steele isa gentleman of cul-
ture and eminent ability, who has hon
ored his profession at the bar and on the
bench. and the resolutions adopted by
the Convention, from his pen, give toll-
en- that he fully understands the issues
and will maintain the same high posi-
tion in the wider field of politics that
he has on the bench and at the bar.
Hon. George w. Grandey is gentle
man too well known to our readers, as a
lawyer and legislator of ability, and as
one of the leading Republicans of the
State, to need any presentation of him
to approve the fitness of his appoint
ment.


In the appointment of district dele
gates heed has been given to the practi-
cal and earnest workers of the party.
In the first district George A. Tuttle,
ESQ.,, of Rutland, has been widely known
for nearly twenty years as publisher OF
this paper, having retired but recently
from Its management. He has been al
earnest laborer in the party, and his ap
pointment is well earned reward Oh
faithful service. Hon. George Nichols
is well known as the present popular
and competent Secretary of State, who
is held in high regard as an official and
gentleman throughout the State. In