Year: 1872

tne country tnAt vermont Stiil CONTINUES
the "Star that never SETS" and that in
November next we will show such vote
for the republican nominees as will 81
lence the guns of opposition for four
years to come.


Resolued, That we believe in State
policy that shall educate every child
within its borders, train the able-bodied
for the defence of the State in time of
need, suppress crime, and punish every
breach of law, restrain vice, pay the
State debt with the least possible burden
to the people, encourage mining and man
ufactures. while we do not neglect the in
terests of agriculture, and so manage the
entire interests of the commonwealth as
to keep our young men within the bor-
ders of Vermont.


Resoioed, That the Illegal traffic in
intoxicating drinks, is prolific source
of temptation, poverty, taxation and
crime. causing needless and heavy bur-
dens to fall on many innocent citizens
1t is therefore the duty of the State, in
accordance with its highest interests and
its present settled policy to protect the
people from the evil, and the results that
follow such illegal sale.


ResoIUed, That we fully and heartily
eudorse the nominees of this convention
and we pledge ourselves and those we
represent to renewed labor in the cause
of Republican principles, that their cleo
tion may not only be assured but that it
may be foretaste of the utter defeat in
November next, of Greeley principles
and Cincinnati platforms, and Democra-
cy, present, past or future, whether rep
resented by men or platforms.


Mr.. Billings came in with Judge Por-
ter and Tyler, who had been appointed
committee to wait upon him and pre-
sent the invitation of the convention
Mr.. Billings presence on the stage was
greeted with applause.


MR.. BILLINGS SPEECH.


Mr.. Billings said he did not come here
burning with desire to be nominated
for governor by this convention, but in
spired with the truest enthusiasm for the
republican cause and determined to
abide the decision, whatever it might
be. IF the canvass had been conducted
in an oyer sanguine manner it was not
his fault, but the result of warm friend
ships. Certainly, said he | have not
contributed with my personal advice to
it. was prepared to withdraw from the
canvass at any time when it should be
thought desirable to restore harmony
and now TO the result / submit without
bitterness of heart or soreness of head.
But for an unfortunate misunderstand-
ing at the outset my name would not
have appeared in the list of can didates
The question to be decided was as to the
two term policy for Governor | believ-
ed the great mass of the people to be in
favor of the one term policy. Whatever
faults may have been charged to me,
do not believe among them to have de
sire for office. Since the days of the ell
der Chittenden, the first and most hon
ored of the line, Vermont has had thir-
ty governors. Among them all, not one
could have been more grateful for such a
unsolicited testimonial than |. My re-
gard for Vermont is none the less be-
cause it is not great State. have
lived in greater ones, geographically
but not greater in the intelligence and
virtue of their people Vermont was
the home of my early years. No son OF
this fair land could have been more
proud of her history, her good name
than /. No continent nor sea has ever
been so wide as to separate me from you
or induce me for a moment to forget my
native State. To have been child OF
Vermont, to have been reared in this
pure air, and in this true and pure Chris
tian community is priceless priv Iege
Wherever his lot is cast, no loyal son OF
the State can refuse to acknowledge his
debt to her, or to defend her fair fame
AS for me, when neary half score OF
years ago, left the place Of my sojourn
on the Pacific, and set my face towards
Vermont, to make thenceforth my home
and abiding place here, it was with
health so broken that did not expect
to be living now. Restored by the pure
and wholesome air, of our Green hills, /
owe to Vermont not only life given, but
life renewed.


Mr.. Billings went on to allude with
strong feeling to the kindnesses he had
received, when young man, struggling
with poverty, for three years he had held
office at the State Capital, and to the re
markable kindness which had been
shown to him personally throughout this
canvass. He took it as an added kind
ness, that under the circumstances they
should have called him into this conven-
tion and accorded to him so cordial a
greeting. For all he returned his hear
test thanks. He declared again his
cheerful acquiescence in the verdict. He
trusted that whoever had said an unkind
word concerning him, would learn that
there was no occasion for it. There


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