Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1868-05-21
THE RUTLAND HER AID
WEDNESDAY, MAY %, ISIS,
The congrc>s,onni question:

=
upon the subject in Saturdays llrRNn,
ACCOMPANYING the letter If Mr. Dorr and
the communication Of ID" hut our co.'
umns contain this morning communities
tion signed . IL" which is so cNtraor-
binary in il, tenor and spirit that in JUS
ticc To ourselves should be noticed,
The writer is correct in hi, supposition
tina, our columns are open to the frank
consideration and free criticism Of the
people" and We do no, mtho least shrink
from attacks upon any opinions We may
have or shall hereafter promulgatc in
reference t. the congressional question
We claim the right to form and express
opinions Of our own, and arrive at such
conclusions as our observations and cSpc-
ricnee lead Us, and having reached a de-
cision TO announce il II is said there
is some doubt ii any one can .y What /,
the public sentiment of the masses since
they have not yet discussed the question
in public We will admit that the sub
Jet has not been publicly discussed, but
the gentlemen should know that the peo-
pie Of Vermont have opinions and views
of their own upon questions, which are
rarely expressed through the news prints
or from the rostrum, but il the gentleman
will go among the masses of the people
Of this district he will discover perhaps
that this question ha- heeit- somewhat dis
cussed among the people, il not in
public.
The writer says that the public consid-
erations which demand the return Of Mr..
Woodbridge are not put forth. II Is not
necessary they should be, for the people
already understand the situation Of pub
lie affairs, and that changes are not desir-
able at such period as he present; and
they also know full well the services
which their present representative has
rendered 10 hi. constituents, especially 10
their material and business interests, but
we can assure the writer that the record
will be presented in due time, We do
not know that there is any custom or
usage prevailing among the peoplcof Yer
mont in reference to this subject, er that
any specified time is laid down in the po-
litical calender as TO how long a faithful
representative shall remain in the public
service. We would point to terms of SET
vice of Rollin C. Mallory, William Slade,
Horace Everett, Hiland Hall, solomon
Foot, Jacob Collamer and Justin Morrill,,
in Congress, four Of whom at least were
from this district. win he point 10 the
rnle and if any exists we think he will
find a short service has been the cxcep-
ton rather than the rule.
Our claim to know the choice of the
masses is criticised We do not claim to
be professional politician, but perhaps
lifelong residence in this district, and
personal knowledge with some of its peo-
pie, have given us a standpoint of ohscr
walton from which conclusions may be
drawn, land an estimate formed, Of the
opinions of the masses, which may posi-
bly, be as accurate as those Of some others
whose observations have been more recent
time to determine, and We have no fear
Of the result.
Our correspondent does us injustice
when he assumes that our article Of Sat
urday Disseminated against and quos-
toned. Col Neasey's fitness for the Office
Such view Of what was said Of Col. Y
cannot be fairly deduced from our Tr.
marks, which are given as follows:
Tho writer of the second article in a
positive and enthusiast manner, present,
the name of Col. w. c. Nea2ey, as can.
didate. While We fully agree with the
writer in what he says relative to the gal
LIANT and heroic conduct Of Col. Neascy,
we cannot believe, as is intimated, that
the civilian is less loyal, or will less faith.
fully advocate the "re-establishment up
on just principles the government Of the
old states" or do less in their sphere fol
the establishment Of the principles o.
sound government upon the permanent
basis of freedom and equal suffrage than
will other classes We are ready on all
occasions, and have recognized the claim,
Of the soldier TO civil honors and OF
none more than those Of the gentleman
named. Col. Neazey has won for him
self an enyiable reputation, and is gem
tleman whom we could cordially support
His residence in this Congressional dis
trict has been about four years and dur.
ing that period he has served the peopl,
in various offices aeceptably. Yet it is,
question whether gentleman moro thor
oughly acquainted and identified Will
the people and their interests is not de-
sirable, as a representative in tn" Ma
tional Legislature.
We submit it 10 the people even to
Col Neazey himself, if the language i,
liable to any such Interpretation as III.
charges, and furthermore. we do not pro
pose to discriminate against any of tn,
candidates, but give all a candid hearing
and consideration. Conducting the can
vass on our part in a courteous and man
w way, while at the same time we do no
shrink from frank discussion OF the j.
sues or the men, We do protest against
misrepresentation of our language am
motives, when We treat gentleman in
fair and honorable way.
We have no doubt that Col. oaley'
name is received with favor in this an,
other counties OF the district, and know
he is representative man Of the soldiers
and have never questioned hi ability
nor has the writer any authority 10 s.
construe it from any langua e that la
been used. Neither have any >lurs o
Misrepresentation been cast upon hin
by any article OF our own OF those III on