National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-08-09

! IloIl, htVtINH tuOt JuVkc steele IN
termed him as late ~ the first week
in July that he should not run
against him."
From the description given and
from Mr.. l.ankin's previors state
ments on this subject 10 reasonable
doubt il left rs to the person Aud
cd TO. The actual facts are that on
the ri Of July, Judge Steele inform.
rd this gentleman at Randolph that
he had not fully decided whether to
he u candidate or not, but that he
sh0nld be If there was any likeli--
hood that any else wOnld appear in
the field, as was not improbable. and
zee are authorized by the gentleman
supposed 10 be referred 10, to say he
has written no letter gfrily any other
rersi0n Of the intirriec.
Great complaint is made by Judge
Poland because Judge Steele allow.
cd himself to be announced as a
candidate while Judge Poland was
IN Utah. Judge Steele knew moth
ing of Judge Poland's going until
he was gone. Two years ago the
convention was held Aug. 10. 1t is
understood that the committee
would be likely to be in Judge PO-
lands interest. Under the circun-
stances Judge Steele could not safe.
~ delay to await the uncertain re-
turn of Judge Poland.
Judge Poland has, We are credi-
bly, in formed, repeatedly stated in
this campaign that he had n prom
Use or assurance from Judge Steele
that he would not be % candidate.
On the 10Th of July he wrote Judge
Steele letter i'll which he makes
no such claim, but on the contrary
says, ~ had supposed from what
others had told me of your declar-
atiOns on the subject you would not
be Il anddate for the brief time ]
may desire to remain in Congress. !"
This isvery far from promise. That
he even at that hour had not tho't
of the plan of claiming these dec
larauons as promises is the more
a parent from the very next clause
" tie letter. 81 have no right to
COMPLAIN OF your being a candidate
against lie if yOu choose to be So"
Would he not have every right to
complain if it was contrary to agree
mcnt or in any respect unfair In.
stead of writing this, would he not,
if there had been any such state of
facts as is now alleged, have de-
manded Of Mr.. Steele an explana-
ton of his running for Congress
contrary to an understanding be-
tween them.
On the 18th day of July, this
same Mr.. Rankin, who is the repnt.
ed author of the article in the Cale.
DOMAIN, and who as sonin.law and
political manager for Mr.. Poland
would have known if there was any
unfairneSs in Mr.. Stecle's becoming
a candidate, wrote him among 9th
er things, III don't blame you part
icle for getting the nomination if
you cam These letters are not
marked confidential andwcre written
since the canvass opened. We pub.
lish them in full so that the public
may Judge of these so called PROM
Uses and assurances which were not
t OH yht of until the canvass began
to show the necessity of some new
and unusual element to help MIR.
Poland.
The article in the CdIedonian re-
fcrs TO Mr.. Steele's "unnsual obliga
tions to Mr.. Poland" 1t is under
stood that they have been friends.
How the balance of obligations
stands is not an easy matter to de
tcrminr, but they certainly have not
all been one way.
Mr.. Steele did not suffer himself
to become a candidate from hostility
TO Mr.. Poland. 1t is assumed by
the Cdledonian writer that the seat
belongs to Mr.. Poland. This is the
fundamental error. IL belongs to
the peOplc--tO give it to whom they
likr-and if after the usual full term
of service they choose to give it to
a new man the incumbent has no
right to complain. Tho press, so
far as it advocates Mr.. Steele's cleo |
ton. has done so in all courtesy to-
wards Mr.. Poland. 1t is to be hop
ed they will continue to follow the
same course, not bccaueS Mr. PO-
land is more invulnerable than other
men, but because if is a more manly
couse. II this vile abuse of Mr..
Steele is continued the public will
have full opportunity to show how
they disapprove Of it, and they
will surely do it.
ST. NonSsBrRY, July II. 1872
nv Dear .yuigr .Trelr
Next to Judge p had rather see vou in
Congress from this District than any other
nan. would be glad to have YOU succeed
,ut not supcrccde him. This last his friends
10 not design that you shall do, and we shall
ave merry time Of it and all with good feel
NJ. trust. too | do not hlan" YOU a parti-
10 for getting the nomination if you can it is
ne of the inaIicnablc rights of an American
| &,
ne good about it. the District will he well rep
psented by either of you. don't feel that
ssurancc with RI ference to the nation if Gree
y beats Grant
With all good feeling IN yorr most devo-
ID political enemy, A. +. RANKIN.
ST. JonNsEtRY HoUsE}
&. l.. Gilman, Propr. ( | ,
ST. JonNsnrRY, VI, July 10, 1872.
" Dear Sir.