The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-03-19
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TUESDAY. MARCH, 10, 1872.

5G-Thc papers Of the State are be.
ginning to discuss the question of candi.
dates for Governor. 1t is rather earlier
than usual but perhaps not too soon to
give the people ample time to think the
matter over,prcparatory to intelligent nc.
ton in the convention to be held in ear.
ly summer. Thus far in The discussions
it is conceded that our present incumbent
may be reelected if he wishes it, but
some Of them infer that he does not wish
it, and they are therefore casting about
for candidates. Among the names men.
toned are those Of Julius Converse and
Frederick Billings of Woodstock, and
Horace Fairbanks Of st Johnsbury, either
Of whom would perform the duties of the
Office of Chief Executive in manner
creditable to themselves and satisfactory
to the people, we have no doubt.
But there is preliminary contingency
which must be settled before discussing
the merits Of these candidates, according
to all these Governor makers. Will Mr..
Stewart seek reelection This is rot
the exact form in which we would put
this question. We do not think he need
be consulted AS loyal Vermonter,
we aprrehend that he will be ready to
obey the summon of the people to any
service which he can reasonably be called
upon to render The proper question is,
do the people wish him to serve in that
capacity? BY adoption, qualification,
and experience, he has come to sustain
the relation Of a servant of the people,
who may be called upon for any service
not incompatible with the high order of
his abilities Not that he could not re-
fuse if there were reasons why he should
do so, but it cannot be expected that he
will hesitate to render any reasonable ser.
vice.
Taking for granted then. that he is to
serve us in some capacity, tho first
question is, what places are there which
we can properly ask one Of his ability to
fill? We have this summer to select our
representatives in Congress, and we need
our best men there, as well as for the of.
flee Of chief executive of the State. We
can properly ask Mr.. Stewart to serve us
in either of these capacities, and the
question now is, do the people prefer his
services in the Gubcrnatorial Chair, at
home, or in the National Congress?
There is too much of this sclf.seeking
in politics. 1t is to be hoped we may
sometime return to that good old custom
of asking, whom do VIC want for our pub.
lie servants? Not, who wish to serve
us? We cannot expect the glorious
millennial day, in politics, to come very
soon when there shall be no candidates..
1t is certainly impossible until we are
better educated in our duties and privi-
leges as citizens. But all must admit that
the position Of candidate especially if
self.sought, is demoralizing one, and
one which should not be taken except for
reasons more urgent and weighty than
those Of personal ambition or cupidity.
Hence selfimposed candidates. should be
discouraged so far as practicable. They
too often lead to the use Of improper in.
fuences to secure election and certainly,
position obtained by such means ought
not to be reckoned as q thing to be proud
Of. To return from our DEPRESSION. If the
people desire Governor Stewards service
as Chief Executive of the State another
term, let them call him to it, and we may
rest assured he will not refuse to obey
the voice Of the people. But if, on the
other hand, they feel that his services
would be more valuable in the National
Congress, let them assert their right to
call him to that position. AS for the one
term principle, we hold it to be just as
valuable in state as in national affairs, and
no more SO. 1t is not of overshadowing
Importance in either. So throwing this
aside, it is, with US, merely a question of
service. If the people wish to express
their opinions upon these subjects, the COL
umns of the Register are open to them
for that purpose.