Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-10-03
Mr.. Raymond's Position.

Mr.. RnymOnd's Position.
Mr.. Henry j. Raymond. having used his
own influence, and that Of his paper, to break
down the Republican party since last Decem-
ber,-his abandonment of his former political
friends having been most conspicuous in his
participation In the Philadelphia bread and
butter Convention, whose oracle he was, and
through whose address be srraigned the Re-
publican party as false to the Constitution
and the Uniop,-is seised with repentance and
remorse. Some considerate. gentlemen of
New York City, knowing undoubtedly his
through the machinery offs letter asking him
to consent to be candidate for reelection to
Congress. kindly gave him an opportunity to
define his position, which be did in a letter
occupying three columns of his paper. The
following is the most important part of this
communication
The old contest between the Union party
which stood by the government in its struggle
with the rebellion, and the Democratic party
which resists and opposed 1t, is again renew
ed. am disappointed that the controversy
believed that the differences of opinion, on
she subject of representation, which prevailed
In the Union party could be settled within
its own ranks without involving the risk Of
bringing the Democratic party again into
COVER. Everything that have done has been
done IN that hope and to that end. In the
face OF evident and signal failure, l claim
nothing tor my action but a sincere purpose
to promote the peace and harmony of the
whole country, by extending over the whole
country and natIOnaIizing the principles estab-
lshed by the war. acted according TO my
best Judgment, confirmed by that of men to
whose wisdom and patriotic devotion to the
pubic good have been accustomed to defer
during the whole OF my public life. If erred
IN this, am consoled for my error by your
kindly construction of liz motive, and by your
recognition of some degree of independence
is DOT unbecoming your Representative IN
Congress.
You have assumed, and With perfect JUS
tice, that l am now as / was when elected two
years ago-as l have always been and shall
always remain-a member OF the Union par
ty holding the faith as declared in its conven-
tions, seeking its welfare, and striving ior
advancement and reform, In everything touch
ing the public good, through its agency.
With the Democratic party, as it has been
organized and directed SIEGE the rebellion
broke OUT, | have nothing IN common, and
should regard its re-establIshed ascendancy in
the government OF The country, State or Ma
tional, q public calamity. There are no
perlis impending over the country which de-
maud resort to SO desperate a remedy, or
which can be aserted by 1t and have i'm
piIcit faith that the people, while checkin 6
he excuses of rash aud extreme men In the
Union party, will still commit to its hands
Tr,n t,1a
and devotion have saved.
Mr.. Raymond expresses his determination
not to be q candidate for reelection, as fol-
lows:
There are many considerations which would
render this unwIse. My past action does not
CT mmand the approval of large body among
those who originally gave me their votes !;
and apart from such approval. go far as it can
be had consistently with proper independence
of pers nal opinion, seat IN Congress ceases
70 have Tor me any attraction, or to offer any
opportunity for useful public service and
shall best consult my own self respect, as we'll
as the sentiments OF my constituents and the
interest of the Union cause. by Withdrawing
my name from the canvass altogether. THIS
involves no special sacrifice on my part, as
shall easily find opportunities, whether IN
Office or out, for promoting Union principles.
While this letter contains some misrepre-
sensations Of the Republican party, and spol-
ogizes for the political tergiversations of Mr..
Raymond. it Is yet, on the whole, tolerably
frank. Mr.. Raymond is now satisfied of two
things viz t. at the Democratic party will
not take him for a leader, and that the Repub-
lican party cannot be led BY him into the
copperhead ranks. If he learns some politi-
cal wisdom by this rather bitter experience, it
may, after all. be profitable lesson for him.
He has found that he and Weed and Seward,
separately or jointly, cannot mislead any con-
slders BILE portion of the Republicans of bis
own state, much less of the country. Not
having any political virtue himself, be doubt
ed whether the party had any, and according
ly be and his few associates supposed they
could debauch it as easily as they we're them
selves corrupted. He has found out bis mis-
| take, and is now endeavoriDg to eave the cir
collation. of his paper by again opening its
batteries on the Democratic party, with whom
patby. He has thus proved his character 40
q mercenary political prostitute, and whstev-
er other party may choose hereafter to trust
him, Republicans should never give him An
another opportunity to even attempt to be-
tray them.
PROMPTLY PAD.-Gen. Gustav, Who vas
conspicuous at the Cleveland Johnson.S oldiers'
Convention, has been commissioned BY the
President as brevet major-general in the regu-
lar army, and assigned to q command in Kan