Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-07-10
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE

Editor Farmer -
have noticed much in your excel
lent paper recently which seems to rec
ommend the voters of the second dis
trict to transfer their sufTmges from the
present honorable incumbent to one Col
Mead, OF Randolph. | come to you with
few inquiries, not that may provoke argu
mcnt but simply to obtain that sound, sub
st'ntial information which shall lead me t.
cast my ballot for the best man in the com
ing election.
l confess. sir, that hitherto l have beer
prejudiced in favor of our present venerable
representative, who has so much advanced
the influence of the state and won so man,
honors for himself and his constituents.
l confess that hitherto l have read witt
pride tho testimonials passed upon him b,
the leading journals of the country, which
have SO strongly testified to tho efficient
character of his public services, his active
labors in the cause OF reform, and his com
manding influence at tho capital. confess
that "thc father of tho house" sounded
pleasantly in1ny ears when knew il had
been conferred. by the common consent
Of tho first Legislative body in the land, upon
fellow citizen of mine. l own feeling
of pleasure and satisfaction when the Jour
mails told us of his successful efforts to eaui-
tably distribute the Geneva award of the
faithful labors and judicial insight which he
exhibited rs chairman of the Credit Mobil-
inr nOn.,iffna Of a
the Utah difficulty. of his honorable coHnec-
ton with the committee which is to invcsti-
gate the Arkansas troubles, and moro than
all things else, of his distinguished public
service in bringing to completion the 're-
vision OF the laws" which has reduced the
body Of the laws Of the United States from
seventeen volumes to only one, and which,
according to distinguished authority, gives
tho United States n better code than any
other nation Of the civilized world now
possesses. | had thought this last work
alone which has required so many years of
labor and saeh eminent ability to bring it
into its present complete form. was a sulii-
ciont guarantee of Mr.. Polands ability and
willingness TO do faithful work. Indeed,
Washington reporters say it is the best sena-
torial work done in the last decade but 40
you not think tho reporters must have been
mistaken in regard 10 this?
Then, too, when call to mind tho lessons
which history teaches concerning the SUI
premo advantage of choosing experienced
men to fill the highest positions in legislative
affairs, considered that perhaps Mr.. Poland
ought to receive our votes on this account.
Perhaps | mistake; but tho example Of sis
ter states, which have kept thoir best minds
in congress during tho whole period of their
greatest usefulness rs Clay. Sumner, Web
ster. and many others of no mean fame.
and have thereby procured for themselves
the mcritcd honor of having produced the
wisest statesmen America has known, seems
to advise us to mako use of sound ability
while we possess it. But very likely history
and its teachings arc all wrong. 1t may be
that the time has come when brains are at n
discount, and honorable ability and faithful
service shall bow to youthful ambition and
BY the way, who is Col. John MeadP In
what way has he distingui shed HIMSELF
What public services has he perlormedP
What evidence of ability and strength has
he over shown? What public record can ho
show by which he can in any way be enti-
led to the peoples gift.
As | have said, have been prejudiccd
N favor Of his opponent, yet II these ques-
ions can DO fairly answered. although his
reputation Mt present bears no more resem-
1lance to the illustrious famO which Mr..
Poland possesses than the translation of II
ireek sentence does to the translation of
Elijah, II may be that he will gain fow
additional votes. STANFORD. |