Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-06-03
The Governorship.


The suggestion Of the rame Of Judge
Peck for the governorship was very for
tunate and happy. THIS is evident, not
merely from the responses Of the public
press generally in the State, and Of several
in other States where the Judge is known,
but also, so far as we have had occasion to
observe, from the hearty approval Of people |
Of every sort. Indeed, setting aside few
who favor other gentlemen for the Office,
partly from personal friendship and partly |
from interests which are entirely local, pub
lie opinion seems already to have settled
the question and we apprebend that the
State Convention have only to present Judge
Peck's name formally to secure his election.
We are so strongly impressed with this
conviction that we suspect it will be dan
gerous politically to attempt to nominate
any other man, and difficult to agree on any
other, even if Judge Peck should perempto-
rily decline, as, if another is nominated,
we have no doubt be will Close and eau
tious observers have discovered that the polit.
ical elements are in a whirl, and have doubted
whether the outcome is to be a sweeping tenn
pest, or a clearing up Of the atmosphere and
a cleaning Of the field Of whatever is dead
and rotten This has risen not only from
tho discomfort which attends any political
party which has long been in power, and
the weakening Of party tics when the pur'
poses that bound men together have been
substantially effected but from the birth Of
new questions aud clashiug interests to
foment new divisions. Certainly we have
something Of this even in Vermont, and
it behooves all who care for the honor, the
peace and prosperity Of the State, to act
cautiously, Time, patience, conservatism
that is, time and patience to learn just
what is the wisest policy to secure just
ice to all and advance the interests Of
all the people and the State-are what
we need most We want no ambitious
adventures, no mere politicians, no tools
Of cliques or rings in public Offices; but
rather solid, substantial intelligent, thor
oughly honest and thoroughly independ-
ent men, who will advise no wrong and
consent to none. Looking over the whole
field, we can see no man so admirably
adapted to the emergency as Judge Peck.
For twenty years he has been acting under
the oath to do equal right and justice to
all men, to the best Of his judgment and abil.
tiles according to law" and so faithfully and
thoroughly fulfilled the pledge that the PEG.
pie Of the entire State honor him. This
fidelity to every public interest, and this
justice to everybody, are just what we want
in Governor, for such men only are wise
in council and faithful in the execution Of
the laws. The simplicity, modesty, integ-
rity and fidelity to every duty, which emf
nenty characterized the late Chief Justice
and Governor Royce, are all combined in
Judge Peck, and this character it is which
has commanded for him the respect and CON
fdence of the people. These popular re.
sponses in favor Of the Judge, be it noted
are spontaneous. He had not thought OF
being candidate. and wa happen to know
that when it was first suggested to him, be
smiled at the suggestion as a joke. lie
therefore has not sought the office, but al
the first mention of his name the people
have sought him to fill it. And so it should
ever be. Though responsible offices are
worthy Of any mans ambition, yet no mar
worthy Of such offices ever thinks of asking
for them, or seeking for them in any mod,
other than by SO performing his duty il
every station, and so fitting himself b,
character and culture, that wise men will
seek him for the service.
AS to the lieutenant-governorship, tn
list Of candidates suggested-we certainl
do not believe all the gentlemen name
consider themselves candldates-now nun
bers a dozen or more aud this is a suff
ceut hint to wait until the greater part q
least have Withdrawn their names w
have only one suggestion to make now, i
view of the certain nomination Of Judg
Peck, This nomination will be quite {
much a compliment to Washington count
as to Chittenden, as he was born and brs
in Washington county, and is noble spe
linen of its best productions. We thin
therefore, the usual ruLe as to locatiC
may be applied in this case, and the lieute
ant-governor be sought for in some of IL
eastern counties.