State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-08-30
GOV. BUFFERS REPLY.
WATERBURY,, Aug. 24th, 1885,

WATERBURY; aug. %4th, 1000.
Dear Sir-Yours of the POI inst. on be-
| halle the State Committee, was received
yesterday. You shy my declining to be a
candidate for Presidential Elector on the
Ilarrisonsand Granger Ticket, has been in
ferred by several of the public journals to
be an indication of indifference to the sue
cess of that ticket, and ask for an avowal
ofmy views on the subject, with permission
to give them publicity.
1t is with degree Of reluctance, that
consent to the publication of my opinions
on so important and exciting topic-not
that | have amy objection to their being
knoiCn to every freeman Of Vermont, but
( lest some may take occasion to represent
the publication Of private citizens views
as an act of oslcututon, when perhaps
themselves have occasoned il; yet, inus-
much as certain newspapers have recently
enormously reported me TO he opposed to
the election Of Gen. Harrison and F,ancis
Granger to the Presidency and Vice Prcsi-
dency, justice to myself requires brief
but explicit avowal Of my views relative to
the pending canvass.
/ have. ever entertained an exalted opin-
ion of General Harrison, both as military
man, and a civil officer. know of no act,
in his long course Of public service, either
as Governor Of the North Western Terri
tory, COMMANDMENTS Chief of the North
Western Army, member of the National
Legislature, or as Minister to the Republic
of Colombia, which does not merit the mp
probation of his countrymcn; and ever,
since his nomination by the Antimasonic
State Convention in February last, have
felt anxious for his election TO the Presi-
dency.
AS to MIR Granger, his name has been so
long, so constantly, and so honorably iden-
tilted with the principles of Antimasonry,
and his efforts so efficient for the suprem-
acy of the Laws and Constitution, that for
me TO withhold from him my vote, Under
the circumstances of the pending canvass,
should consider an abandonment Of the
fundamental principles Of Antmasonry.
1t will not be expected that should enter
into an examination Of the public acts and
votes of the different candidates for the
Presidency and Vice Presidency. | could
wish, however, that freemen would exam
inc for themselves with candor and impair
TALLY, and bestow their suhrages for such
men MS will, in their honest opinion, best
guard and protect that civil and religious
liberty, TO establish which their Revolution
airy Sircs expended so much blood and
treasure.
In conclusion, will only say, that, per-
sonally, have little to hope or fear from
the success Of this or that candidate for the
Presidency, or any other Office the govern
ments and laws of this world, by whomso-
ever, or in whatever manner administered,
can but little longer affect my interest or
happiness; but should ever be permitted
to exercise again, the elective franchise, it
shall not be done knowingly to favour the
promotion of man, who, for the sake of
office, would sqnander millions of the pub
lie money on multitude of corrupt specu-
lators-barter away the Freedom of the
Press and trample upon the sacred and
inalienahlc Rights of Man.
Respectfully,
Your ohedient serv't.,
EZRA BUTLER.
c. l.. KNAPP Esq,