Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-05-02
For the Waterman.
SENATORIAL ELECTION.

Mr.. EDITOR :--lnasmuch as you have given
space to a Communication from the West
side and to another from the East side"
upon the election Of United States Senator,
perhaps you will show the same favor to an
other communication, hailing from the vicin-
ty where the two former are supposed to
meet to wit: The Center.
It is not the object OF your correspondent
to depreciate the character Of Senator Foot
or underate the value Of his public services
For ought that has come to our knowledge
he has been faithful 10 the union and true to
his constituents We the people of the
State Of Vermont, have honored him by two
elections to the United States Senate--and
this is no small honor to a man capable of
filling an exalted position, however insight
dcent it may become when rendered to an in
triguing political demagogue. But the State
Of Vermont has other men. Just as talented,
ust as capable nlo1-1st as deserving Of this
distinguished position as Solomon Foot. and
it is hardly consonant with the spirit Of DEM
ocratic Institutions to bestOw all hOnors upon
a single individual. unless be possess such
surprising merit, that the people are impressed
with the importance of his peculiar fitness
and conscious that by changing they will not
bestow the honor upon another equally lgorihy.
A man must be Uery superior to deserve more
than twelve years in the United States Sem
ate. They will sometimes get third cleo
tion through the rivalry Of opposing candid
stes, seldom without. We have many men
in the tate of Vermont who although they
have not had the advantages of twelve years
residence in Washington, yet are familiar
with the political history Of this government,
and trfsh fha - md int Of ho 70
of Vermont, who are capable Of performing
the duties of a United States Senator upon the
floor Of the Senate, or in the Committee room
and should the courtesy be extended to them
would preside with easy dignity over even
that august body. Vermont will ever exert
her proper influence in the councils of nation
so long as she is represented by her ablest
men. And it is no disrespect to our present
congressional delegation, neither is it untrue,
TO say that we have other just as good repros-
entativos at home, as they make. Because
man has been lucky enough through the sharp
practice and political engineering Of his friends
to get an election 90 Congress either to the SEN
ate or House Of Representatives. it is no reason
why we should glorify him above all his peers
or keep him there ever afterwards. But it is
a reason why we should keep him there the
customary period, provided he performs the
duties of his Office with ability and with fl
deity to his constituents TheIe is not a
man in Congress at the present time from the
State of Vermont that did not secure his
first election by months OF maneuvering,
planning aud contriving-both on his own
part and that of his friends-and many are
the stories aaoat Of the hard labors and the
shrewd barganings Of the friends of Solo
mon Foot. by which he obtained his first
election. And Mr.. Foot has done well. He
has not " set the river on fire. but has done
WE'LL and the people are satisfied with his
course prettr generally. This, in the opin-
ion of your correspondent, expresses the can
did judgment of the friends OF Mr.. Foot.
They would not underrate him, neither would
they gloriiy him. A decent respect for him
forbids their going to extremes on the one
side respect for themselves forbds it on the
other side.
Your correspondent East Side intimstes
that better position awaits him if he should
not be reelected Senator This is fortunate.
Vermonters will all be pleased if Mr. Foot's
position as Senator has given him that ac-
quantance aud respect with the administra-
tration that he will be called to fill some 9TH
er Office OF honor and trust, still better for
him than the Office Of Senator. This will re-
move the last claim he can possibly have up
on the people of the State for reelection,
and we shall all be free to exercise our choice
in the election Of a successor unembarrassed
This statement Of " East Side virtually puts
the reelection of Mr.. Foot out Of the ques-
ton. While he can be employed in wider
field, his place can be supplied by another
fraeh from, ha poop1n parhaps II would he