Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-06-18
STATE NOMINATIONS.

Five or six weeks ago we gave reasons why,
in our view, Hon. HILAND HALL of Ben
nington would, better. than any other, answer
the proper requirements in candidate for
the Office of Governor Further reflection
and an attention to what has been said by
others have added strength to the opinion
which we then expressed. Moreover, 50 far
as we can gather from what has appeared.
we think like opinion is the prevailing one
among the Republicans the State.
Neither our former nor our present remarks
on this subject must be taken as disparagng
to any other gentlemen whose names have
been sng sested by their friends. In our own
columns have appeared two communications
speaking strongly in favor of Hon VIM. c.
Kittredgo or Governor. We have known
Mr. Kittredge for a long time, always to res
pect and value him as man of talents. in
tegrity and many other good qualities
Assuredly if he shall receive fair nomination
from the State Convention, he will get no
more hearty support from any quarter than
he will get from the Free Prcss-none the
less hearty because, beforehand, we give our
reasons for believing that another man,
(known to us personally but in slight de-
gree) will do the State more important
service in its Executive seat
In our paper of the 10Th of May on the
subject of State nominations we spoke as
follows
The policy of the National Administration
in regard to the extension OF Slavery is not
changed in the least-unless it be that it is
more daring and uuscrupulous in its efforts
to subject the Free States to the domination
of the slave power than ever. We need not
particularize but the times are full of evil
portents. Every thing betokens fercer in
ternal strife than the nation has yet exper-
fenced If it shall become a bloody one it
will not go beyond what all may reasonably
fear, and what many think probable. The
day may be near at hand when the Govern
ments the Free States will find themselves
forced into position which shall task to the
utmost their frmness, prudence and sagacty,
and their united devotion to the interests Of
that freedom which the State governments of
early days labored to establish. Vermont is
alsmall State, and her influence in the nation
must come very little from her numerical
strength, but chiefly from the wisdom and
decision of her public councils, and the dis
passionate, incorruptibe love of her people
for justice and freedom. 4 man of tried
ability and frmness, comprehensive in his
views and fearless for the right, who in ad-
dition to the confidence given him by his fell
lew citizens Of the State, can bring to the
Executive Office the broad influence which
experience in national affairs, and an ac-
quaintance with public men throughout the
nation gives him, is IA man for the present
emergency.
No considerate Republican can deny the
great Importance of such considerations -
If we look only to State interests at home
they have great weight also. The Governor
OF this State has no patronage at all, beyond
that of selecting his own private Secretary,
but the moral influence which he exerts on
the Legislature and on the people is consider
able. How better can the people consult
their own good than by placing in the of
fee one who has been largely triedand always
has prored himself able and worthy. 1t
should be never lost sight Of that public
officers are to be chosen solely for the good
Of The people al large. The notion of some,
thut OuIto hlb u ~ t1ui'iINu as ND0Ns u
the Office holders. and therefore when one Ina
been favored, Others must be taken instead,
BELTS only those who have the most narrow
and selfish views of the duties and responsible
ties Of public officers and it is a most per-
nicious notion too. Its whole tendency is
to encourage a selfish and low ambition for
Office, and petty intrigue to secure it.
We know that many men can be named,
any one Of whom, if chosen, would worthily
fill the the Office of Governor. But we say
now, us we said before Mr., Halls ample
experience in various offices of public life, his
high standing in the State and nation, his
large acquaintance from Maine to California,
will, if he is chosen, be beneficial to the State
at home, and add much to its good influence
abroad. No sounder Republican can be found
in the State no one was more hearty in the
glorious, though unsuccessful, effort to elect
Fremont to the Presidency in 1856 and no
man sees more clearly or detests more heartily
the corrupt practices and the abject servility
of tn Democratic party, to the holding
power, Cor more deeply realizes and detcsts the
influence ofthat power in regard to whatever
most concerns the prosperity, honor and lib
erty of the country the rights of man every
where. In addition to these more important
qualifications possessed by him, Mr.. Hall is
an exceedingly frank and pleasant gentleman,
as is well known.
The Chicago report of the explosion of the
boiler of the steamer Buckeye on Lake Mi
chigan is a hoax, got up by a man who pre-
tended that hewes a survivor in order to get
e A.