National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1866-10-26
BANTER SaIsssEyDE1ss.

The majority of chr readers have /
doubtless learned ere this thai IoItuS
Baxter declines being a candidate ,
for Congress-. To Us as to every
other Of his opposers this is dain-
~ morse., hut upon those who wor-
ship at 10 otker shrine than his,and
who believe his rankest corruptiOns
superior 10 other mems virtues, the
news will fall with CONSERVATION;
for with Baxtcr's dcclination under
such a pressure of circumstances
ends his career as man and as a
politician. His name has appeared
before the public in connection
with such a multitude of dishonora-
BILE transactions, and proven so
clearly, that his disgrace is too com
plete to allow his ever being brought
before any respectable constituency
with the smallest hope of success.
He has declined to be sure, but not
of his own election it has been
Nrung from him; he held on to his
power with the grippe of a dying
man, for lie knew full well that to
step off the stage of action at this
juncturc and under such circum-
stances, was to step off forever
His written defamation was put in
to the hands of Bradley Barlow OF
st. Adams on last Friday, by hin
to be made public at the convention
at Hy,lepark on the 18th of this
month.
Perhaps we should best consult
The very tender feelings of Mr.. BaX
ter's friends, by making no further
aliusion to the matter, yet justice t.
those who have fought the battl,
agaiast him in the campaign just
closed demands fuller statement
than many would be glad to hear
Ills opponents have fought the bat
tie upon principle; their weapon
have been the weapons of truth
their arguments have been confine,
to the narration of facts, which LAT
er events have proved TO be facts
and we should now like to see On
man (even the pimps who buy hi
Oflices) have the hardihood to dis
pute them. Mr.. Baxter was acclls
cd before his constituents with hav
ing sold certain Offices and Of re
ceiving the money tor them specil
the last moment did he deny them
proof was adduced which if pr
scented to sworn jury of twcl,
persons, would have convicted hi
beyond IL peradyenture many
person has been justly hung 4,
IlUIttI III ldi SliiiiiiiNi ttNtliii'i
than has been sustained against NJ
Baxter. To befog and hoodwink Il
people into the belief that the'
charges were false, he resorts to Il
very shrewd (as he then though
eXpcdient of prosecuting Mr.. Ben
diet of the Free Press for libel, Ia
ing his damages at so, 900. TIL
mastery stroke Of policy as we sha
shortly show is what proved his ri
and forced him to decline in favor
W0rthngton G. Smith, in orderth
the damning testimony and Il
storm which himself had evok,
might be smo,hcrcd.
Mr.. Baxter sued the editor of q
Free Press for the purpose of sho'
ing to the people Of the district th
he was deeply conscious Of his ov
innocence, and that he was II
afraid to yindicate his deeply woun
cd honor in the courts, well AVA
that as soon as it became nois
abroad that he had instituted les
proceedings his friends would Ia
M the hue and cry and she
Now what do YOU think, he is
pocent else he had not dared 10 SUI,
Mr.. Baxter knew that in the III
run he could make capital out
this artifcc and possibly take
election, knowing all the while I'll
trial could not be had till long aft
election had passed, and guilty
innocent il would he too late,
he thought. for the people to arr
ut the truth Of the matter. Here
was in error. Prosecuting the r.
tor of the Free Press il where Port
Baxter made q great and terri
mistakc.-The lloyt III q II ma
many mistakes, but they made II,
that reacted like this. He pl
cd for u trump card, bnt it
been lost. Although the trial COZ
not have been had till after the ell
tion the testimony could be- heard
al