Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-05-08
Walnhman Sc journal.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1872.
TEnrs-t2oo per year, strictly in advance or $3.50
nnot paid within three months.
The Governor Question.

A brief article on this subject in the last
WArcnNAS AND Journal has, in some quar-.
ters at least, received broader interpreta.
ton than was intended. What We undertook
to say was, in brief that we had the best pos
sble reasons for believing that the personal
preference Of Gov. STEWART, so Gar as il was
proper for him to cherish and express a wish
in the matter, was to receive at the hands Of
the Republican voters Of Vermont the usual
compliment of reelection. Further than
that we had no design to 60. Selected for
that high position without any agency or
scheming Of his own-chosen by a majority
almost unprecedented, and sustained by a
hearty friendliness and generous enthusiasm
alike creditabIe to the chief magistrate aud
his constituency STEWART can but see
aud appreciate the vested right Of the Re.
publican freemen Of the State to decide this
whole matter 10 the premises nor can he
have any wish or motive to go counter to
that decision, when fairly reached, Never
theless, we can but cherish the highest re-
spect for that personal aud individual choice
which, setting aside entirely eeery other con.
sideration brought into this discusSion would
6nd its highest qualification 10 such plaudit
as Vermont usually bestows upon her honored
Chief Magistrates.
But we say frankly that the indications
are that Gov STEWART will be ovcrruled in
regard to his individual choice in this matter
There are strong combinations both legti.
mate and honorable, that will tend to bring
about this result. In the first place, antici.
pating division of the State into two Con.
gressiona districts, Eastern and Western, the
West.side Republicans, with remarkable unan
unity, seem to be resolved upon sending hin
to Congress They believe him to be jus
the man to aid in maintaining the high posi-
ton and wide influence of Vermont, notwith
standing the loss Of member and further.
more it is thought that his popularity aud
strength will give him the election without
serious opposition. This reconciles the West
sders to the one term principle, so far as the
Governor is concerned, at least for the time
being. Then the East-side Republicans, with
an amiabiity that is quite natural, will be
pleased with the Goyernorship at the earliest
possible moment and doubtless the one-term
advocates upon the Eastern slope are more
numerous than they will be two years hence
But inside of all these considerations is the
still more significant fact, that large proper
ton of the leading Republicans of the State,
especially Of the younger and more vigorous
class, 10 anticipation Of the existing favora-
Bile combination of circumstances have their
minds concentrated upon representative
man Of their class, whom they desire to hsnor
with this position and to whom they are de-
voted with an enthusiasm only begotten by
the possession of the noblest qualities. We
refer, Of course, to the Hon. FREDERICK Biz.
LIMOS, Of Woodstock. Nor are the earnest
friends and advocates of Mr.. Billings con.
fined by any means to the Eastern section OF
the State, but his name seems TO be received
with marked favor in every quarter. The
cause Of this popularity will certainly need
no explanation to those who attended the Bel
lows Falls convention. With his captivating
manners, his admirable dispatch of business
and above all, the more than statesman.like-
the heightened, manly and Christian quaitie,
Of his address surely he won the hearts, il
not the heads, of ALL and every one of the
four hundred sturdy Republicans present,
whose hearts were thrilled with his eloquent
appeal for fidelity aud reform, went home
to join the ranks Of his friends.
These are, in short some Of our reasons
for anticipating change in our State ticket
And this brings us to repeat what we hay,
said before - that if Gov STEWART is to be
candidate for reelection to the office which h
has filled with so much honor and to uniyer
sal acceptance, then shall we most unhesita
tingly join the ranks Of his supporters. Blu
If, under the circumstances, he chooses to re
turn to private life, or yield to the cal
to wider field, we certainly know of n
wortbier shoulders upon which his mantle cal
fall than those Of Mr.. Billings.