Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-06-15
RUTLAND HERALD
TUESDAY, JUNE IS, 1866.
Nominations.


As the time for holding conventions
to nominate candidates for State ana
County officers is at hand, we beg leave
to offer a few suggestions relative to the
qualifications of these candidates. Or
course we all admit that they should be
honest, capable, and earnest supporters
of the constitution and laws, until such
constitution and laws are repealed or
modified. In addition to this, or per-
haps we should say, as underlying and
Including other qualifications, they
should be moral and christian gentle
men. So far as relates TO the most
prominent candidates whose names have
been mentioned for important State off,
ces we believe this is eminently true.
Should it not be equally true of our
Town and County officers
The causes of Popular Education,
Morality. Temperance and Religion are
eonfessedly of vital Importance to the
State. That will be dark day for Yer
mont, if 1t should ever arrive, when
these things shall cease to be of interest
to a considerable proportion OF the peo-
pie. If the reputation OF Vermont
stands high for anything abroad 1t is
for its stern regard for that which is
true just and equal. 1t is very doubt
full, however, whether a close obserya-
ton of the habits and practices Of the
people would justify the high estima-
ton in which the State is held by those
who view it from distant standpoint.
That intemperance, immortality and If
religion prevail among all classes, high
and low, young and old, is too notorious
to be denied; and, what is more to our
present purpose, they do not seem to
operate as any hindrance to the success
of candidates for important offices. Re
peated instances have, in fact, occurred
in which VIGOROUSLY Incorporate and
immoral candidate has been elected over
a competitor who, besides being supe-
rior in talents and attachments, was also
strictly moral man. Weare not speak
ing of the "Bone and Muscle" of Maine
or the Sovereignty" Of Kentucky as
it existed thirty years ago, when the
stump candidate who could drink the
most liquor, crack the most vulgar
Jokes, shake the dirtiest hands and treat
the biggest crowd was sure to succeed,
but of some of the most temperate and
t.. h. tot
State, where, if anywhere, christian
voters may be supposed to control the
elections.
sa We do not propose to occupy time
and space in pointing out the manner in
which such events as we have alluded
to are brought about. 1t is well under
stood by those who are familiar with
"mass conventions" and popular cleo
tons in Vermont as well as other
states
One of three or four things, however,
must be true. Either religious men alb
sent themselves from conventions and
elections on account of indifference, or
they lack moral courage to speak and
act in accordance with their sentiments,
or they really prefer immoral men for
office, or they think that the circum-
stance of PERSONS being the regular
nominee more weighty consideration
than any other that can possibly be
thought of.
There will always be found few who
hyve settled it as principle of action
to support those, and those only, who
are strictly moral and temperate in their
habits; and if all who profess to have
at heart the cause of sound morals
would uniformly carry out the same
priuciple, this cause would rest on a
irmer basis than it does at present.
We might pursue this subject fur
ther, but it is unnecessary. We speak
as unto wise men; judge ye what we
say.