Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1860-10-12
The Tim G -.
Letter From Hon. Vim. C. Bradley,


We find the following letter from cur
distinguished citizen of this county, in the
Cincinnati Gazette of Sept %, wach will
be read with interest by his many warm
friends and neighbors in tl,;s Ststc -
EDS. GAZETTE The following letter
from one of the distinguished men of New
England, Democrat of the Jetlersonin
school, and personal friend of its founder,
was received in answer TO inquiries relating
to the system of elections in Vermont
The effect of that system has been to d.
vest their elections in a great degree Of the
partisan character which interferes with the
selection of the best men for the offices.
This is shown by the fact that for many
years large share of the most important
offices in the Judicial and ether departments,
including the Office of Chief Justice, had
been filed by persons not of the deminant
party.
WESTMINSTER, VT, Sept. G, 1860.
DEAR SIR:--Your impressions of my
agency in forming the SYSTEM Of elections
in this State, gives me more credit than |
deserve. You are sufficiently acquainted
with the institutions of New England to
know that education is open TO all, and that
there are but few in the community to whom
labor is not at some time necessary. These,
with the early political training growing
out of the freedom and frequency Of the
popular election of every officer, from the
in public affairs, and, in the midst of an ag-
ricultural and homogeneous population, lead
to the Just balancing of private interests and
more preponderating desire for the gen.
ersl good. Hence we in this State need
but little in the way of organization, further
than 10 ascertain the true public sentiment
This, at present, is remarkably unanimous
and sound, for which we have to thank the
absurdities of ultraists in other States, where
we are set down as set OF incorrigible
practical Abolitionisis. In my opinion
fewer men of that stamp than in this State
Never having had any experience in sla
very. our people are willing TO leave it with
those to whom it belongs, if they will only
keep it TO themselves but, unfortunately
the question has been forced upon us, ant
We would be unworthy of our ancestors il
we gave the institution any encouragement
bv extending it. Still more detested here
is the idea oil the country's being governed
by minority, however much any pecuniary
interest may recommend or require it.
+ ifpa hon these fhipua W.
much more confused. One of our plain
farmers, in conversation the other day, speak
inc of the controversies OF other times
"Sir," said he. "while the questions about
banks, tariffs. internal improvements and
suchike were on foot, they required time
and study in order 10 comprehend them,
and his we plain laboring men could not
bestow without neglecting our necessary la
Dor or rest, and so we were obliged to de-
pend upon our leaders for information but
now, sir, this question of the extension Of
slavery is a plain and simple one, and ace
| turner's can understand il as well as the
most learned men on earth, and we want no
teaching, but merely an opportunity TO cast
our votes"
/ This Is Vermont in nutshell, and the
opportunity desired has been again afford
I ed during the present week, the result OF
which you will see, furnishing just enough
of minority TO preserve the public facul-
ties from an unwholesome stagnation.
For myself, being now on the verge OF
my eightieth year, ! am too old and feeble
to do more than TO give to my ncighbors
the benefit of experience and advice. tell
ing them TO beware of party cant and the
subterfuses and tricks OF oiiice-seekers, and
with moderation and frRHess to rely on
their own sense of what is just and right,
which believe they have in a good degree
cone, much to the satisfaction OF one who
remains, both in the se.ise of age and con-
tinued esteem,
Dear Sir,
Your old friend,
WM. G. BRADLEY.