Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-11-09
uatrhman 4 Stair JuurnaI.
BY Z. P. WALTON.
MONTPELIER, NOVEMBER 0, 1866.
The following was published in the daily
previous to the election. and is now repub
lished as a matter of history.
THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

ltshed as matter OF history.
THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
THE CONTEST ENDED.
A caucus of the Senators aud Representatives,
from the Third Congressional District, was held
at No. Y at the State House on Wednesday eve
ming for the purpose Of harmonzing the dheren-
ces in that district Me Burt Of Swauton called
the meeting 10 order, and Hon. Geo n. Dale was
nominated as chairman, but declining to serve he
was excused and Hon. Geo. w. Hendee was elect
ed chairman. after Intellectually asking TO be ex-
cused. Mr.. +. NJ. Van Scklen was elected secre-
tary.
Mr.. Burt of swanton stated the object of the
meeting TO be to harmonize the differences in the
Third District. He stated that Hon Worthiugton
@. Smith had magnaDmously offered to submit
the nomination to the decision OF the Senators
and Representatives. and that as Mr. Smith was
present aud could speak for himself better than he
could fer him, he would call upon him to define
his position.
Mr. Smith came forward and said he wished TO
cooperate with the Senators and Representatives
in securing harmony and a wise result which should
give the District that place in the councils OF the
nation which they were entitled to- The announce
ment that he 10 be the candidate upon the with
drawa of Mr.. Baxter. was startling and unexpect-
ed to him, and he feared at the time would only
add to the complications Of the question. lie had,
however, determined TO endeavor to confer with
the Senators aud Representatives and obtain from
sideraton with the electors of the District. For
that purpose, he proposed, so far as he was con-
cerned to submit the whole matter TO the consid-
Grafton of those present. The position in which
he was placed was wholly unknown to, and unso-
cited by himself, and he was sorry that charges
had been made uniavorable to him as not in sym
pathy with the Republican party of the State. As
giving more fully his exact position in relation to
the present position Of affairs in the District aud
in the country, Mr.. Smith read the following letter
which he had written in response to a letter recev
ed by him from Hon. Elisha White Of Barton
MlsrPELIER, OOr. 80, 1856
HJE Elisha WauE,-Os,r S,r;-Your note OF the
2sth has come to htnd, aud hasten to reply Icbeer-
fully accord to yourself and all others the proprety OF
enquirng in regard to my political opinions
At the present time when 50 much is at stake in re-
gard TO a wise and safe solution Of questions affecting
vitality the peace aud unity Of the oIuntry, It is es
psoially proper thAt any Ode who is Brought before
the people for high sni responsible Off ie should de-
clare himself plainly and uuequvocaly.
Toe limits Of letter do not Justify alengthy Discus
oion of all the important questions now absorbing
public attention, nor OF the causes which have com
bnei to arouse the people to thoughtful consideration
With the hrst startling anno1ucsmsnt Of armed and
rebeous resistance to the power aud authority OF the
government felt that the tins htl come when every
loyal should take his stand boldly an1 msudlly
for his country when every form OF treason Or DIS
loyalty should not only he suppressed and sabiued,
bat sd iuld receive its jast punishmsnt
During the whole progress Of the war, gave to the
g1yernmsut my earnest aud JEALOUS support in its
grand e Jrts 70 mtntsln ts Integrity aud supremt,y,
aud cOntrbuted ao3ording to my ability to ald anfen
courage those who 10 deis1se Of their codn-
try aad who by their gallant aud heroic deeds nave
won such bright laures for themselves ani impersha
ole honor and renown for their native state
When the government hs asserted its might aud its
rghthad put do wn all armed resstsnce-lnd settled,
trust forever, all right or power OF states to Sc
cede or REBEL the A fl ut and cJmpilcttei question.
Of restoration aud aljlstment came suddenly and
prOmln ntly before the people for their consideration
and decision
To the unfortunate disagreement or want of hirmo-
ny between C1agrlss aud the President, | need not
specially refer UafortaaAte All may have saemei,
it has at last educte all to clearer aud wiser views
of the true theory and practical workings OF repu6-
loan form OF government, snl has dehaed the just
powers aud relations Of the executive aad legislative
departments of the glverumsnt, each to the other.
Congress- rightly think, claimed and asserted the
right to prescribe the les aud impose the bndtons
upon which the States lately in rebeon could safely be
restored to their prA,cs relations to the government
10 this plan the SAtsi that nave thus far spoken have
given their emphatc approval and to 1t ani TO All tue
leading measures which are sustained by Jorty or
CIngress, | give nv hearty an1 cordial support be-
eying that through them CA osst aat soonest oa So
cured restored peace aud permauent union, established
they surely will be the aud lasting fOunda-
tons Of freedom and political equality.
Unitng with you 10 the hope that the republican
party OF this district will low themselves to be so
divided and distracted as lose the position aud pres
tge to which they are Justly enutlsi, AN, my dear
sir, Very respectfully yoar o6,i,e1 sseya1i
w0RTaINGrON @ SMITH.
This letter contained his political views in rela-
ton to the affairs of the country aud it essen
tal that the man whom the Third District should
return TO the national councils should be in accord
with the feelings OF the loyal people of the country
! II any other person was preferred he would mosl
cheerfully submit to the decision OF the Senators
and Representatives present.
Mr. Burt OF Swlnton referred to a former meet
I ing in this place, and TO remarks then made by
him. That while he was not so well acquainted
with Mr. Smith as with Judge Adds, yet he had
no doubt that whatever Mr.. Smith said and what
l...,. - .l.k.., sAtlIh hu
most implicitly relied upon, and that he Mt.
Burt) should most heartily support whoever this
cancas should nominate. He then moved that a
ballot be had as an expression OF preference by the
! Senators and Representatives for candidate as
Member of Congress.
I Mr. Barlow Of St. Albans expressly denied the
alleged charges of any consideration being paid
, or pledges made to Mr.. Baxter upon his with
drawal as a candidate. His (Mr Barlows) posi-
ton was such as to enable him to know that al
such charges were wholly false and without ioun
, daton
+ Mr.. Burt also stated that he knew that there
was no bargain or consideration between Mr.
} Hoyt and Mr.. Baxter, or any other persons, and
that all charges 10 that effect as false as
i those ma le respecting Mr. Smith aud Mr Baxter
! A ballot was then had with the following result
Whole number of votes, 81
Necessary for choice, 3z
Worthington @. Smith, 40
Asa O. Adds, 10
+ On motion of Senator Baker, the nomination
of Hon Worthngton G. Smith was made unan'
I imous.
. Mr. Smith returned his thanks for the homo
: conferred upon him, and hoped that, should thu
/ freemen of the district ratfy this nomination, h
! should be able to serve them in such a manner a
to bring no dscredit TO the good name or fame
n the district.
o Thus should, and we trust will, end the unhapp.
; controversy in the third district and the freemei
i of the district can now honoraby and satsfacto
d rily settle the whole matter by electing Mr.. Smith
who will do honor to the district and the state.
THE DKoLINATIoN OF Mr.. BAXTER
Annexed we give Mr.. Baxter's letter to hi
constituents. In this connection we wish L
record our judgment, that the suspicion II
p some quarters, that Mr.. Baxter has bee
d driven from the course from fear of an inves
m tigation OF charges made against him, is un
called for. On the other hand, we are conf
Il dent that had Mr.. Baxter declared the entir
m truth OF those matters, at the outset, he woul
l. have been elected in September.