The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1868-06-16
The Congressional Question.


through your columns, few words upon
the subject of the next Congressional Rep
resentative from this District? l have
no personal considerations to present,
neither do Iwisl 10 advocate any partisan
interest. But | believe that the peopk
should nominate our national representas
tives, and hence that there thould be a
free dacusson Of all that pertains 10 the
subject, and that the management of these
things should not be left to few political
ring leaders. And believe that If the
people should give an unbiased expression
of their sentiments, that expression would
be nearly harmonious against long con-
tinuance in Office The very cons,itu-
ton which institutes the term of service
of a member of the House of Representa-
tives, clearly indicate that, in the view of
the trainers of that constitution, the people
would be best represented by the biennial
election Of various prominent men to that
office, rather than by continuing one fin
cumbentsin that position for protracted
period. And the correctness of thiswiew
is substantiated by consideration of the
facts in the case. IN country which
comprises so many varied interests as ours
docs, it is evident that one man, from a
single locality, possessing individual views
however broad they may be,-cannot
so faithfully represent the diverse opinions
and interests of all the agricultural, man.
ufacturing, and mining inhabitants of this
district, as three men of equal ability
from different portions of the same region.
This is principle which will not be de-
MED. And it is fitting that it should be
fairly considered as bearing upon this
question. And if in its application the
people should decide that it is best to
send some other able man to our next
Congress instead of Mr. Woodbridge, that
gentlemen or his friends should rot feel
that he was sighted thereby Or that any
lack of confidence in him was thus ex-
pressed, For one | would not say any.
thing derogatory to Mr. Woodbridge, but
would rather express my entire satislac-
ton with the manner in which he has
discharged his public duties. But we
have expressed our confidence in him, by
repeatedly intrustng our interests to his
hands And if now in obedience to what
we deem sound principles of policy we
choose to commit those interests to other
worthy hands, no one need complaint
If then the principle of rotation in office
is good one--and our whole govern
ment is based upon 1.-THE only question
is, whether we have other men who are
equally worthy Now in regard to this
l do not suppose there can be Disagree
ment among candid men. No one sup,
poses or claims that Mr. Woodbridge tow.
ers so far above all the other men of this
district, in intellectual and political abili-
ty that he alone is worthy to bear our
banner. Without caring to advocate the
claims OF amy particular candidate or to
draw comparisons, | do not suppose that
the people consider Mr. Woodbridge supe-
dor in ability to the gentlemen named in
II recent number OF your paper,-Col w
G Vcazey. Col Veazcy has reputation
Tor intellectual strength, sound political
principles and sterling qualities as a man
second TO none in this district And !
should feel perfectly secure in regard to
the public veal, if he were our next cho.
sen representative in Congress But |
am not the especial advocate of any one
candidate, and believe that we have many
men who are eminently worthy of such
public trust. There is one consideration
however which ought not to be pas ed
lightly over in treating on this subject
And that is the recognition which is due
to military service. No man would dis
sent more strongly than myself from the
doctrine that mere military service is any
qualification for office. And yet mhen
OTHER things are equal, we are under the
most solemn obligations to give the sold-
ier the first place. This was what we
promised to our army in the days of trial
and danger. This is what we have Just
re affirmed in the Chicago PLATFORM
This is what we mean by placing the ma.
tions first soldier at the head of the presi.
Dental ticket. The only sound polite:
to-day are the politics which carried
through the war for the preservation o.
the Union. The men best fitted to re-
construct the south are the men who's,
cool brains and brave hearts subdued thu
rebellion. That this is the creed of tn,
nation is shown by the high position
which have been given to the leaders o
our army, in Congress and IN every state
And yet here is the significant fact, tha
loyal Vermont, is tie only one Of all The an
ion States Uhich does not haze is representa-
tire soldier IN tie Congress Of tie nation-
This. it seems to me-joined with tn
" other considerations which have name
: gives Col Veazy a prominence abov
, that of the other candidates.
But will not trespass further upo
your space. Hoping that our people wi
9 look at this question in the light of thei
own interests and duties and the generi
good, l am yours UNUs.
Il Take heed Of drunkenness it is like