The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1866-08-31


supposed too that Mr. PortuS Baxter, the
member for the northern district, would
support Mr.. Morril. | had no right 10
complain oi this, and never did. MIR.
Baxter and every other man who chose,
had Is much right, and perhaps better
reasons. Tor supporting Mr.. Morrill, than
my friends had for supporting me, and |
never felt the slightest unkindneSs toward
amy IMAM for supporting Mr. Morrill,, who
did il In a fair and honorable way.
But for some reason Mr. Baxter deem
ell ii advisable 10 commence and prose
cute systematic effort to malign my po-
liiical character and standing. Certain
newspaper correspondents under his iniIu-
cncc and control, i'll papers out of the
state. week after week reiterated insinua-
tons that | WAS soon going TO be a john
son man. Mr.. Baxter himself Oh every
favorable occasion gave currency to them
In the heat oi Il political canvass. it was
not singular that active parlizans should
take up and repeat them without stop
PING TO enquire whether there was any
iu>t foundation for them or not In this
way quite a General teelin" OF suspicion
WIS obtained that | WAS not Il republican
TO be trusted. feel entirely justified in
saving that there l. not 4 republican in
lhe senate. against whom such charges
ni"ht moi he IL justly made, and as much
proof furnished, as mvsclt.
1t Is proper that | should allude here
10 the circumstances attending my nomi-
nation 10 the house Tor this district Some
little time before returned from Wash
lmgtom. was applied to bv some of the
leading supporters of Mr.. Morrill, in the
district, 10 know it the exciting senatorial
quarrel could not be settled. They urged
that ii WIS becoming personal and bitter,
and threatened the future harmony and
welfare 81 tie party. L; was urged that
the friends OF Mr. Morrill, had no ohicc-
ton whaicI eli 10 ne. and would all gladly
support Inc. but for the feeling that IIr.
Morrill,, b; his lon@ and faithful service in
fhy hou>... WAS entitled 10 it. They said
that public opinion in the district had noi
settled with any unaniiniiy upon any can
.I,latv 10 succeed Mr.. Morrill, in the
hoa-,., ami that il would accept the
nomination, they could assure lie that. 80
iar - llr Morrill, friends were concern
&, il would be rendered unanimously. [
consulted such friends a. could at Wash
in-Iom ;,nl finally replied. s;lyin" that |
would iioI b. Il candidate. nor ,.1cn >.,.niiv
% any Of !iy friends that woul,i accent
II. hut ii the nomination should ir thus
voluntarily offered me | would accept ii.
Il :, means of putting al end to Il VERY
'ji-a-rt:r.hIr strife. This i all | know.
and ali had 10 do, about Inv nomination.
VI the con, cnilon winch nominated me
Nh Ioriu~ Baxter appeared and mad.
!i:s~~i. very bu~y in declaring that WAS
NJ = sound republican WAS the most
c.rraPl man i'll congress politically. ami
could moi IL trusted 4; all. etc. This con-
,!rici ii Mr.. Baxter III this time could not
ne regarded a Tor The purpose of adm"
Mr. Morrill,. but l. Il settled and delib
CRAZE attempt 10 iniure me. No man
KNOWS h,iirr than Mr. Baxter the inter
an1 entire iai>ily ot all these charges and
ln-inuations IL iia~ put in circulation
39;in-t M. ant that there l. not now and
never WIS the slightest foundation Tor
them.
y day OF two since >aw an account OF
the recent convention 1t lIyirpark. signed
"lraNG-." in which il was said that
'i"'iay Poland MS rrrscm; H. Il stump ora-
Ter i"r Mr.. iloyt. Before caIne home
from Washington, and before WAS no.,
inaIed iar c"ngFc>>. | had agreed To attend
Tar dIsInrt convention at lIv,lruark. ,
Sine my return. had been requested to
a':.irc~s my old icig.rprs at AIorriStowp
'mv residence when lirel in I.amoillc
c""niyy.j the cvemiH" before the conven-
il"n | male Il short speech Al HE Vii I
ia-e ot Morri>viii. the ni.it before the
convention. and before the convention or
@anlZcd III ilydepark. WAS called ont
an" spoke a snort time 10 the people a.
>cnb.ad there. In both places s!,oke of
Is great effort which had been made 70 +
destroy my political character. and in
both place, spoke CT Mr. Baxter as lis
chlti author and manufacturer, AZ have
here. | SAID nothing about him a a can
d.I'tc, nor about hi~ competitor. Mr..
li"!i | confined myself wholly 10 nv
own defence that felt had not only
the right, bnl it WIS my duty TO make.
I haI@c> were m;l,ic In that convention
publicly. against Mr.. Baxter. far more
damaging than his SANDERS of me. Ii
WAS ALLEGED that he had taken money for
Recommending persons TO appointment. I'M
Ter Ma. CtaPr, the late collector. and an
o!ier MIS- made to prove it before the COP
Nenilon, This WAS declined and prevent
cd by Mr.. Haxtcr'> friends.
" hlie | was in Lamoille county tbe
evidence to establish one instance Of sucb
action OF hir. BAXTER WAS exhibited to me.
ami IN my judgment Mr.. Baxter and his
friends acted wisely in declining IN inve>-
ii"aiion.
l am free TO say that Mr.. Bakers
treatment OF me has bren such. and Inv
orlnioh OF lis character is such, that | do
not desire 10 associate with him in con-
Eress or elsewhere.
There Is enc other point in the article
OF MIR IL. that | desire 10 notice. He
thinks what | said at the convention in