Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1874-09-12

Hciu uS " Cuuuluules ~ oHCS
wrote to Mr.. Denison expressing
my astOnishment; reminding him
of our conversation, and asking him
IL the announce ment Of his name
was authorized by him. He repli
ed, and claimed that ! misunder
stood, or misinterpreted his state
ment to me, and that he only meant
to be understood that he had not
then determined to be candidate
l have only to say, that it such was
Mr.. Denison's purpose, he was eli
ther very infelicitOus in his use OF
language, or l was very unfortunate
in understanding it, and entirely
failed to ascertain the very fact !
was in pursuit Of
Mr. Denison said further in his
letter, that if he received the nomi-
nation he should be very grateful,
and that If | received it, he should
cheerfully support me.
l have stated the matter thus mi
nutely, not for the purpose of rails
ing any question between Mr.. Deni.
son and myself, but to absolve my
self from the charge of thrusting
myself into q contest for the candi-
dacy.
Having thus become IL party to q
conflict for the candidacy without
expecting it, l endeavOred to as can
didates usually do incite my friends
to active exertiOn to have my sup
pOrters at the caucuses for the choice
of delegates. Both my opponents
did the same. l received the nOm;-
nation at the convention by II hand
some majority over both my oppo-
nents. Everything pertaining to
the election of delegates and the
conduct of the convention was per-
fectly fair and honorable as far as l
have knowledge and infOrmatiOn.--
l believed it to have been so, and l
supposed the contest ended. But
IL portion of the delegates. who sup
ported my opponents left the con-
vention, held separate meeting,
nominated Mr.. DenisOn and opened
a vigorous and bitter canvass. Hav-
ing been fairly nominated in reg
ular convention l refrained from
further effort.
just on the eve of election circu-
lars were issued and handbills post
ed throughout the District alleging
that my nomination was in no way
binding upon the party because 1
had procured delegates to the con-
vention by buying votes with mon
ey. learn also that most marvel
GUS tales were told of the amounts
expended, with detail of circumstan-
ces. What influence this had I do
not kuow,-I have only to say that
the, whole thing is a sheer fabrica-
toni never expended penny to
influence the vote of any man, nor
did l ever authorize any one to do
SO for me, nor do believe any one
did so.
Both before the Convention and
afterward, was stigmatized as a
"Credit Mobiler Whitewasher," ga
salary grabber," and "Press gag
ger" My course upon each of the
matters referred to by these epithets
is open and known to all the world.
1 would not desire to change it. 1t
will bear the closest scrutiny, and
when all interests to malign me.
has passed away, have no fear but
my action will meet the approval of
all just men.
1t has been alleged that l belong
ed to "Rings." Precisely W hat this
means 1 do not know, but as l I'M
derstand it, it was intended to
charge me with having Joined in
the support of some unjust scheme,
with a view to my own personal
gain, or the personal gain of others.
l have to say, that have never
given vote or done any public act
that l would not have
been glad should have been witness
ed by every one of my constituents;
( have never done any act in con-
nection with my official duty, that
was not according 10 the dictates of
ny judgment and conscience; and
have never directly or Indirectly
0een the gamer of one cent by any
vote or other official act.
have not aspired to be a leader
n Congress, l have contented my
self with labOrious and faithful
attention to every duty, trusting to
such effort alone for my standing in
Congress. The positions of diff
,ulty and responsibility in which l
nave been placed, and the manner
n which those responsibilities have
been met, in my judgment have not
)een discreditable to you, or to the
state.
You can doubtless easily fill my
place with a man of greater ability
han myself and one who will attain
higher position in Congress, but l
10 not believe you will find one.
whose service, will be more faith full
md conscientious than mine has
)een,
have seen it stated that the eX-
'lanatiOn of the vote against me,
vas that the people of my District
lad lost confidence in my integrity
IS a public man.
1t would give me great pain to
relieve this.
have never been insensible to
he good opinion and appreciation
# my fellow men. | have endeav-
rod oil INV lilo 70 lacorva II NV |