Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-04-25
From the Daily Journal
SENATORIAL NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
El0n

Mr. EDuoR.--ln late number Of your Jour
nal noticed an article. copied from the Bttr{ing-
ton Times, touching the choice OF a L. S. Sona-
tor to I'LL the seat now Occupicdby SOLOMON Foor,
whose present term expires the ith OF March
next. | am glad the agitation Of the subject is
begun thus early a thorough discussion will be
likely to insure q correct result. | was glad
moreover that Journal Of so much prominence
and ability As the Times should advocate the re-
election OF the present iucmbaut. Its reasoning
seems unanswcrable. / can hardly hope to bring
new testimony-mu less give additional force TO
ITS presentation but simply appear as another
witness to the same point.
am no blind admrer OF Senator Foot Per-
sonally klipw little OF him. Ny individual pref
erenccs nigIh End probably would be IN an IN
tirsy .i'hers lir' tian ijut in times like tiitse
and indc1'N qH timcs-such pr,ier,nce, shouiei
yield to the interest Of the great whole
HW the public good be best snbsercea BIZ The
re-etectioH of M foot2 Such is unqucstionably
the fact and for several reasons.
l. Nmle there are many gentlemen on the
West side OF the Mountain, from Bennington to
berkshire, cn,incuty qualified for the office Of
Senator-pcrhaps as fully as Mr.. Foot was sup
posed to Dee twelve years ago,-it is no disparage-
ment to say that few II amy Of them could hope TO
obtain, IN the same length OF time, the eminent
degree Of personal popularity and influence now
enjoyed by Mr.. Foot; and none of them would
lay clam TO that peculiar presiding talent which
has secured 20 our isolated little State the honor
and the influence of the Presidency pro temDore
of the Senate.
2 During the past year. when such immense
responsibilities aud lahors have deyolved upon
Congress, no attentive Ncuuoutcr could but be
proud OF our delegation; aud among them all was
none more prominent and efficient than Mr.. Foot
Thus, ability and experience have made our State
power far more than proportonatc to its terri
tory, population or wealth. Could such service
have been rendered 10y a He0 delegation, however
wisely selected
.. When the tramp of our armies aud the she'd
ding OF blood shall be over, then will come the
far more difficult task of so adjusting the naohu-
cry OF government as 20 restore q disunited and
hostile people 20 the old paths of the union and
fraternal feeling, Who so competent TO this deli
cate work as those who have been familiar with
the whole history of this alienation and rebellion
IRON the first ncipient stage TO its ultimatum ?
And who so competent to dsarm and reconcile our
enemies as ono who, like Mr. Foor, while true
TO the landmarks of constitutional freedom, has
nevertheless an established reputation for prudent
conservatism and nationality of feelnet The
honest men of the South, whom we hope to re-
clam to their allegiance, know that SOLOMON
FOOT would never trampe upon one of their con-
stltutonal rights Would they be so well assured
of any nei0 MANI
4, Through the extended influence of Mr.
FooT and his rare faculty Of accommodating what
he undertakes, much has been done to secure for
vermont her proper position in the distribution
OF the patronage of the general government. In
this particular ! doubt if any Senator has ever
done better for Vermont
1t is said Mr.. Foor will not accept recollection.
And | have learned, from apparently credible
sources, that higher position was waiting his
acceptance. While / doubt not, Mr.. Foor could
have any position he would ask under the admin
istration of President Lincoln, | believe him too
good patriot to dishopor the draft of his native
State, which has so long honored him.
Most heartily do | second the nomination of
SOLOMON FooT. East SIDr