Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-08-01
Senator Thurman's Letter.

/ Our able Democratic Senator, the
Hon. Allen G. Thurman, Of Ohio,
wrote a letter bearing date Of July ~,
which has so many good points in re-
lation to the nomination Of Horace
Greeley by the Democrats, that we
cannot reflaid from publishing eX-
tracts thcrefrom, for the benefit Of the
"Bourbons" Of the party, and others
who do not ms yet give in their sad
hcsion" to the Baltimore nominations.
The words Of Senator Thurman are
sound, judicious, and contain advice
worthy Of the practical regard Of all
such as may need them, The letter
says =
individually, | preferred fighting
under the. Democratic banner with a
straight Democratic ticket; but |
could not shut my eyes to the fact
that great many good Democrats
were'ot different opinion, And to
me it seemed clear that any course
that did not cmanate from the masses
of the party would surely fail. Act
ing on this principle, hive not an
swored a single one Of the many let
ters that ] have received on this sub
jcct. Not that | was unwilling to
express my opinions or to assume my
share Of the responsibility, but because
occupying the position | do, | thought
| it the part Of wisdom and patriotism
not to interfere with the formation of
an opinion by the people-thc only
opinion that could safely be followed
by the opponents Of the Radical party,
| condemn no man who took a differ
ent view Of his duty, but ! think that
time and events have shown that mine
was correct. The nomination Of Gree
ley and Brown by the Baltimore con-
was the work Of the people, The
politicians had very little, or nothing
to do with it. 1t was tidal wave
that swallowed up everything in its
way, The true explanation of it is
that the people mean to have a change
Of administrations aud they will not
let pride or prejudice stand in the way
ofSucccsS. Not that the Democratic
party abandons its principles, for it
does nothing Of the sort. On the
contrary-alleging as it truly does,
that the course Of the Radical leaders
in the White House, and in Congress
threatens to destroy all constitutional
or Democratic governmental is, by
its principles, bound to seek the over
throw Of these leaders. And if it can
not overthrow them in precisely the
mode it would prefer, it is but com
mon sense to take the next best mode.
Therefore, although would have been
better pleased had our party resolved
to make a straight Democratic FIGHT,
| am now (since the party has so
willed it, and believing that the wei
fare and liberty ofthis country require
the defeat Of the present Administra-
tom firmly resolved to work with
earnestness and zeal for the election
Of Greeley and Brown. What else
can a Democrat do, who believes
what he has been saying for years,
that the continuance in power of Grant
and the Radical majority in Congress
would cudanger the very existence of
Constitutional Government? What
if Greeley has opposed the Democrat
ic palty-is it not better to elect
man who has frankly and openly OPP
posed us IN times past, but who now,
in many things agrees with us, than
to help to elect a renegade Democrat
like Grant, who was once with Us, but
is now opposed to us in everything
We have to choose between these two
men or throw away our franchise by
refusing to vote, But who is there
wiling to throw his franchise away ?
Who is there who places so little val
ne upon it that he will not exercise it a.?
Who is there ready to acknowledge
that he is so weak that he cannot make
up his mind and will not therefore
vote at all? trust that no Democrat
will be found in this category. Let
Every man who hesitntes reflect that
any change Of administration is likely
to be for the better and that it certain
~ cannot be for the worse