Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-11-19
For the Freeman.
What is the Cause.

Mr.. EDITOR 1t is really amusing to a
/" locker on in Venice - to see the explana-
tions given by different individuals and diff
terent papers, of the real cause of the appar-
ent change in the minds of the people in
regard to the Administraton-its men and
measures.
One man, bound not to see anything in
the result Of recent elections condemnatory
Of the powers that be- explains by saying
the Changers movement. has run into poll
tics, especially at the West, and L" raised
hob with the Republican party, "just as
he was afraid it would Some papers. in
fact, We fear. most of those friendly to the
existing order of things, stubbornly shutting
their eyes to the 90 handwriting on the wall .
attempt to calm their own fears, and those
OF their readers, by saying it is only the re-
suit of tie Indifference which always mani
tests itself in years succeeding the presiden-
tial election.
Not 50, gentleman. 1t means more than
that, and wise will they prove themselves to
be who rightly Interpret its meaning, and
profit by its warnings. One paper, of some
note, says, among other things which have
helped to bring about this change in the
minds of the people, that they feel " irrita-
ted by the Z" salary grab
Irritdted! Mild term, very. A laboring
man seats himself by an open window, at the
calm sunset hour, to read his morning paper.
An insect keeps buzzing about, and lodging
to and fro, between him and that which he
fain would read undisturbed. He is annoy
ed, rritated, just the word. But, if an hour
later word should come to him that his gar
den was being robbed of choice fruit, which
had cost him 50 much toll and care, would
he be only simply irritated Would he not
be indignant? That's the word to express
not only the feelings, which may be supposed
to be his, but also the feelings of the - SOW
ereign people" at the robbery to which they
have been subjected by those whom they had
chosen to serve them.
Can members Of Congress not to mention
those higher in ofice-be so blind to all the
teachings of the past, as to suppose they caa
join In such iniquities as they have been en-
gagged in for the last few months, and still
retain the confidence of those by whose ia
vor they hold their positions Not wild
flight of fancy would it be to believe that
Ben Butler might be the chosen Governor of
Massachusetts for the coming year, but for
his part in plundering the public Treasury
His capabilities and talents as an executive
officer are undeniable. The experience of New
Orleans proves this. But the experience of
the last few months proves, also, that he is
wholly INSCRIPTIONS about the means which
he employs to advance bis own selfish ends.
1t may be justly looked upon as a hopeful
sign that he was thrown high upon the beach,
trust, of political bankruptcy. Let him
rest there, and let others profit if they can,
by the lesson of his defeat.
The acts OF those who make and admins
ter our laws have had much to do in bring
ing on the existing state of affairs-the want
of trust and confdence,-in word, the
Panic; which paralyzes industry and stills
the hum of business, which trips men worth
their millions, and causes deprivation and
want to stare in the face of tens of thousands
OF honest, deserving men. The charge is a
grave one, but he who denies it might as
well deny the relationship of cause and
effect
The ties of party are strong and hard to
sever. They held the writer to the old Dem
ocratic party until there was no democracy
left about it but the name, until it came to be
only defender and apologist for the South
and her peculiar institution When it
became entirely evident that forbearance was
no longer virtue, then these ties were snant
asunder, and our position taken in party
having noble end and aim the noblest
which had actuated any party since the
Revolution. Will not the leaders of the Re-
publican party be wise in season ?
Mortified, Nov 18th, 1873.
Our correspondent puts his points so
forcibly that we presume he will not deny
that he was considerably "riled.'' Well,
we think he had reason to be-