Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1866-06-15
The Senatorial Question.

err Mr.. Morrill, would positively decline
reelection to the House; and we wrote an
article two weeks ago giving some reasons
why it would be advantageous to the coun-
try, the State, and the District, if he would
consent to hold his present position; and the
purposes for which we wrote that article be-
ing in part already accomplished and others
in the way of fulflment, we consider it OPP
perfume for us now to have our say. Being
fully assured that Mr.. Morrill, declines re-
election to the House, as appears from his
card which we publish below, the choice for
Senator on this side of the mountain lies be-
tween him and Mr.. Poland. In giving our
support to Mr.. Morrill, for that place we
have not one word to say against Mr., Po-
land. We respect the latter for his talents
stand he has taken in the Senate, and we
cordially approve of what he has said and
done while member of that body, and were
he now the only candidate we should cheer
fully give him our support And in what
we have to say in favor of Mr.. Morrill,, we
wish to have understood not as comparing
or contrasting the two men, but as simply
personal to Mr.. Morrill, We think he has
the requisite qualifications and characters
tics for the Office. In the first place he is a
man of high moral character, of answering
adherence to the great principles Of justice
and right, courteous and gentlemanly in his
intercourse with others, and correct in the
habits of his life. His character is unex-
ceptionable. In the second place he is a
man of national reputation, He is not mere
partizan, not simply politician devoted
only to the interests of clique or party, but
is a true statesman, consulting for the inter-
ests of the State, the nation, and humanity.
The Union as a whole and in all its parts
has received his attention, and he has earn
estly labored for their interests, both for the
r.oonnt time aud for future years.
In the third place he is well acquainted
with the business, the resources and the fl
nancial condition of the country. His knowl-
edge of these matters, and his sound iudg-
ment pointed him out as the most suitable
man in the House to be placed at the head
of the Committee on Ways and Means, and
how well and how faithfully he has dis
charged the arduous duties of that position
we all know No man understands these
subjects better than he, or how to shape laws
to our financial condition and wants
In the fourth place he has especially iden-
titled himself with the masses of the people,
the farmers, the mechanics, and the laboring
classes generally-that is, with the vast ma
jority Of the people. Many of the promi-
nent measures which he has inaugurated and
helped forward had special reference to the
elevation and benefit of laboring men. His
sympothios with the people aud for the
people, and here he has a strong hold upon
their respect and confidence,
In the fifth place he has had great expert
ence in public affairs. Both in peace and in
war, in the most troublous times of our ma
TONS history he has been public servant
laboring earnestly, patiently and persever-
ingly for the nations safety and welfare, So
long and so faithfully has he labored in the
public service, and withal with such good
judgment and wise discretion, that he has
won the confidence and respect of his own
State, of Congress and the whole country,
and there are few if any in either House that
have larger share of public confidence, and
of genuine respect than he.
Having these qualifications we think Mr.
Morrill, every way fitted for a seat in the
Senate of the United States. And since he
has so long, so faithfully and so well served
the State in the House of Representatives
we think he deserves promotion to the Sen.
ate; we believe he has fully earned it, is
justly entitled to it, and that we ought tc
give it to him. And further, Vermont owes
it to herself, to her own reputation, to show
her appreciation of worthy and valuable
services, to say by thus honoring and pro.
noting Mr.. Morrill, that those of her sons
who do her honor by faithful and worthy
deeds, shall not go unrewarded. For these
and for other reasons which we may state
at another time we shall support Mr. Nor.
rill for a seat in the Senate with the same
hearty good will that we have heretofore
supported him when a candidate for the
House, and shall use the influence Of oul
widely circulated. paper by fair and just
statements and arguments, and by such per.
suasions of truth and candor as we have in
our power to secure his election.
The following is Mr.. MOrrill's letter de-
clining reelection
To the uoters of the Second Congressional
District Of Vermont:
1t may be proper for me to say that re.
spectfully decline to be a candidate for re-
election. Proud of my constituency and
profoundly sensible of their long-continued
favor, it is right that my decision should be
authoritatively announced in season for them
to fix upon some one to be chosen as my
successor. If have been able in any de.
gree to be useful in the public service, it is
entirely due to the generous support of the
people of the Second District of Vermont
who have honored me with six consecutive
elections. Inretiring from this post of hon
or, which l have faithfully endeavored to
make the post of duty also, tender to my
friends and constituents the tribute of a
grateful heart. JUSTIN S. MORRILL,.
House of Representatives, Washington
June 8, 1866.