Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-07-11
Was Mr.. Billings Responsible -!

SH1P p IL was pIlfdeol1 OuaLSOuS ahu noe SiHOo
! then been publicly insinuated, that Hon.
Frederick Billings, who received large
plurality of the votes of that convention on
the first ballot for candidate for governor.
had resorted or been privy to the use of
improper means to secure the nomination.
No man dared in that convention openly to
make such charge, nor has one been since
70 und demented or fool-hardy enough TO
attempt to openly specify any particular
improper act or advice IN that matter on
the part of Mr.. Billings. No one who kzes0
that gentleman, or understood in any small
degree the position he maintained during the
entire canvass, but felt assured that these
insinuatiOns were as utterly false as they
were mean and scandalOus. II they did not
originate with disreputable persons, they
certainly were bruited about for unworthy
and disreputable purposes We had hoped
that after the heat and passion engendered
before and at the convention had subsidized,
and Mr.. Billiogs had sought to harmonic
and unity the Republican party of Vermont
by one of the most eloquent, self -abnegating
Gnu tNdotOAA1 bIGCOAC6 VIC SfNA AAohOuN0 w
to have heard no more insinuations that that
gentleman was capable of STOPPING to any
meanness which his caluminators brand
themselves as being conversant with or guilty
of by thus suspecting him.
1t was therefore with deep sorrow we
noticed these unworthy imputatIons creeping
into the editorials and correspondence of
certain writers, who seemed not to under
stand that there was higher level in politics,
and in the methods of conducting political
campaign, than the one they had yet at
tanned, or from present indications they are
ever likely TO attain. We have known Mr.
Billings personally, and for several years by
reputation, as gentleman of unblemished
integrity, and as politician above reproach.
We had learned to love and admire him for
the sterling qualities Of his heart as well as
the intellect of his head During tins time
we have never heard or known the slightest
unworthy OF disreput,be imputati0n to be
breathed against him We felt that his selec-
ton as a standard bearer in the present CUB
ernatorial canvass would be creditable TO the
Republican party Of the State If be was
elected we were confident he would honor the
Office Of Governor quite as highly as the
Office would honor him. Entertaining these
views, we CHANGED TO be selected as delegate
in the State Convention, which was to nom
mate a man for Governor. And vet IN
Difference TO what we deemed the wishes Of
this county and our town, quite as much as
TO our own personal feeling We voted on the
first ballot with Washington County for the
denomination Of GOV. Stewart. Bat zee at
least were not sold out by Mr.. SIade OF Mid
dlebury, To vote for =. anybody to beat Bill
hngs on the second ballot Although we
found ourseIf with the minority on that
ballot, we felt we were IN excellent good
company, and, after sleeping over it, were
ready to 20 into the canvass heartily for Mr.
Converse, who Is every way worthy the honor
the Convention voted him, and Will make an
excellent governor. We only insist that Mr..
Billings shall be as hon5rably Judged as his
previous reputation and his magnanimity at
the close Of the convention enutle him to be
judged.
We desire further to here call attention t.
the following letter from Mr. Greene Of the
Woodstock Standard relative % the charge
that Mr. Billings caused 70 he circulated
large quantities of Woodstock papers
containing unlavorablo comments upon GOV.
Stewart:
EDITOR OF TUE FREExAN.-I am informed
that certain persons have industr;ously cir
culated the report IN Montpelier that Mr..
Billings, during the late campaign. procured
10 be printed and distributed throughout
the State for campaign purposes, large num-
bers of Woodstock newspapers. on this
point allow me u say that neither directly
nor Indirectly has Mr.. Billings been a party
TO anything that has appeared in the news
papers. The Standard earnestly supported
him for Governor and by some perhaps. was
regarded as a sort OF &c organ, vet during
the whole campaign be never, in his own per
son or through another. c0unselled OF &c
quested the Insertion of a line in its columns
Furthermore, for newspa pers or for postage
he has not paid one cent, nor has he OF any
one for him promised anything. For aught
know to the contrary he is as Ignorant to-
day where and 70 who copies OF my paper have
ben sent as Is any gentleman in Montpelier
Mr.. Billings Is in the habit of attcniin. 10
ms own business strictly, and leaves others
to do likewise.
| write this without consulting Mr.. Bill
lings, and be has no knowledge that I in
tended to write it. In justice to him. a
well as 70 myself, beg you 10 give it place
in your columns.
LUTHER 0. GREENE.
Editor Of Vermont .>lasdtrd.
Woodstock. Vt, July 18th, 1872.
In further confirmation Of our belief thar
Mr. Billings was not responsible for OF privy
to any personal reflections upon Gov Stewart,