Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-07-17
The First District.

The Congressional canvass grows active in thc
First District a. the day for the District Couyen-
ton draws nigh. 1t is watched with strong in
terest throughout the State, and rightly So; for
though the direct responsibility Of the selection
Of their representative rests with the voters iu
that district, the whole State has Vital interest
in the selection made
Our three members represent VERMONT IN the
House Of Representative Every citizen bears
the shame Of an unworthy representative. and
all share in the credit won for his State as well
as himself, by every true, fearless. honest and
able one. True everywhere, this is especially
the case in Vermont Ours i, proud little
commonwealth, peculiarly sensitive to .lught
that touches Its reputation, conscious to g. fault
of it, past prestige, and jealous in like degree Of
it present character and influence Every
Vermonter, therefore, who las an opinion To-
express On SO important a matter. should .out
with it.
Having for ourselves clear and deliberate
opinion 10 who ought not to be the nomiue,
at Rutland on the 9TH of August. We according
ly make no apology for expressing it, and We
do not hesitate to say that whoever else the Re
publicans select, they ought not TO return the
present member
Mr. Woodbridge we are sorry TO believe and
to say, has not, on the whole. served with credit
in Congress. We have watched his course there
from the outset with a kindly interest due TO
pleasant acquaintanceship and sincere interest
in his welfre,-and in the end with utter di,lp-
pointnent To speak only Of fiilings, directly
affecting him in his public capacity. Mr.. Wood
bridge has been too iudolent AMI easy too will
ing to be the friend Of every body, good ami
bad too really to promise and too uncertain Of
performance,-his name ha, been too often
whispered in connection with lobby Jobs. ''-he
has been on too good terms with President John
son and his right-fand man. Randall. TO make
his discharge of hi, duties acceptable TO the pct
pie Of Vermont
If he has supposed That he, of AL mort.l-.
could "huh with the hare and run with Tia,
hounds, and retain the confidence of both
sides or that an occasional ,pread-eaele speech
would take the place Of careful and constant at
sention to the duties of his post. he has made d
sad mistake. His course has not been one to
win solid esteem. With mdoubted talent and
many generous and good impulses. his congres-
sional career has been a failure
We say these things, reluctantly but the more
plainly because some of the papers ia his dis
trict, opposed to Mr. Woodbrilge's return.
seem disposed to mince the matter when
kind hut outSpoken utterance Of the
truth in the would be far more
effective on their part. We do not believe that
our estimate Of the Representative of the First
District differ substantially from that Of every
well informed and right minded citizen of his
district There was certainly no di~iutcro-ted
support or enthusiasm for him, in the convcu-
ton of two years ago, and his nomination then
date saw fit to press any claims, If now he has
any support, except from the ofiice-holders. ac-
tual or expectant, who depend upon his favor.
We do not know where it sand as this time
there are other candidates, active and energetic.
in the field, the result can hardly be doubtful
80 far a he Is concerned.
II he knew his own true interest. Mr. Wood
bridge would at once peremptorily decline To- De
sgain candidate, and permit the Republicans
Of the District to send in his Place who shall
better Illustrate the industry. purity. steady
snd straightforward adherence to principle
frankness of speech and singleness Of purpose,
which are still-aud will We tr11st lone Lo-aIa
ments Of Vermont character.