Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1867-08-31
Mr.. JOSselyn'S Letter.

II Democratic County Convention held |
at Windsor on the 9Th inst. In said
report | also find in the ticket of nomi-
nation presented upon that occasion for
County Officers, my name rs n candi-
date for Assistant Judge Of Windsor
County. Now as silence on my part
might he construed to mean acQuicscncc
and endorsement of the action of said
Convention, beg leave to say, after
returning my sincere thanks to the
members Of the Convention for the
honor Of the nomination, that l. respect
fully decline the same, and cannot uul-
cr any circumstances be considered a
candidate for the position. Justice to
MYSELF as we'll as the Convention who
put me in nomination, requires it Of me
to give my reasons for the course |
take will therefore improve the
opportunity thus presented TO define my
position. / Supposed it to be generally
known, especially among my friends,
that some three or four years ago l
advised and advocated the abandonment
of the Democratic organization through
out the State, and stating distinctly tina,
il not abandoned, they need not consid-
cr me rs belonging thereto. My reasons
for adopting this course, were, that the
old issues, upon which the party was
based, and upon which they had fought
many good fight and successfully too,
had become obsolete, that circumstances
had so changed the condition Of the
country that the continuing Of the demo-
cratic organization was usclcss not only
so, but injurious, to the best interest of
the country, binding the eyes of the
people to other new aud important
issues, and hindcring action upon the
same, by keeping up the old democratic
war cry, when the enemy, or issues
upon which that cry was predicatcd,
had vanished forever. Having come
then to this conclusion, or rather force
Of circumstances, having compelled me
to this conclusion, what is my duty :
What is the duty of every man under
; the circumstances? The answer i
plain, adapt himself to the present condi.
ton Of things, instead Of looking back
and harping upon what has been; take
hold Of the present, with an eye to tn,
future uphold what is right, condemn
> what is wrong he willing to oct viii
: any man or organization Of men to re
c dress The same. You need not comics.
' that YOU have been Il KNAvE or 4 roo!
" heretofore (un'oss you wish to be elect
cd to some high aud important Office
we have such cXamplcs). Take thing
" as you find them, aud turn them for III,
: best GOOD of the community. Adopt NJ
= resolutions about this being a whit,
j mans government, discard all sucl
IDEAS: whatever may have been th
. intentions Of the founders, at this prcscn
time it embraces in lis ample folds al
colors and conditions, and is bound anc
. required to protect each and all in lhci
political rights and privileges. Tn
negro, that BONE of contention, whicl
came so near exploding us as a nation
=, is now citizen, entitled to all Il citizen
" privileges, among which is the right t.
" vote; to hold Office if his fellow citizen
see fit to elect him, from the Office O
road surveyor to that Of the Presidency
| hold further, that rs the social con
diiion is matter of TASTES, the race
:, have, or ought to have, the right t
iutcrmarry and mix up in whatcvc
way or manner inclination may suggest
:, This need not alarm or give trouble t
- any one, as at present individuals hay
:. the privilege to choose their own As
! SOCRATES. No doubt in some parts {
-, the country where the negro race pre-
. dominate, they will, as it is right the
a should, be elected to Office most ccl
NJ tainly if lie has the capacity claimed fr
"a him by his especial friends, he will pr,
-, fer to elect men of his own color, rattle
than give his SURFACES to one Of hos
70 demagogucs, who are Iawnng aroun
p, him hoping TO get IN election by til
49, negro vote. AS between the two, I'll
~ negro is undoubtedly the better man.
!; | apprchcnd no trouble or danger i
IL having negroes elected to Office. Tal
. ing into consideration the doings of ii