The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-07-21
District 4
Committee.
LoVELASD Nuns,
J. II. HAzLEToS,
JAMES I. PECK,
FIRST DISTRICT POLITICS.

1t g now only about three weeks be-
fore the Republicans of the 1st Congress
sional District of Vermont. are called
t, meet by their delegates in Conven-
ton, for the purpose of nominating
candidate to be supported at the Sep
TENDER election as the successor of Mr..
Willard. So far as we know, no towns
in Addison County have yet elect
Ell delegates. Apparently but little
thought has been given to the matter
by the people. But it would appear
that the general sentiment of the peo-
pie of this county, is in favor of return
ing Mr.. Willard. Ofcourse it is claimed
10y aspirants and their friends, that
Mr.. Willard has held the Office for the
usual three terms and it is now prop
er that somebody else should have an
opportunity to try his hand at states
manship, and perhaps see how much
he can make out of the position for
himself. The people have very little
sympathy with such reasoning and
care Just rs little for the argument for
locality,
Mr.. Willard commenced his service
under very unfavorable circumstances
for himself. More than halfhis district
held opinions scarcely complimentary
to him. His first official acts in which
his relations to the people of his dis
tpin n n n
ders. If we consider them in the light
Of political wisdom. But in the light
of his subsequent official career, and
the Vindication which time had made
for him, they appear the acts of con-
scientio1s man. who was seeking the
public veal mere than personal aggran-
dizement. That some of them were
really mistakes in public policy none
will deny, But we can easily forget the
mistakes of his inexperienced especially
as the greatest calamity resulting from
them. was felt by himself in the opposi-
ton which arose against him in his own
district.
Since he recovered from the effects
of his unfortunate policy in the bestow-
al of patronage at the beginning of his
service, Mr.. Willard has been steadily
gaining in public esteem. With rec
ognizedhbility and an unquestioned in.
tegrity from the first, and the wisdom
born of experience, he has como to hold
place in the estimation of the people
Of his district of which any one might
be proud. His influence in the coun.
ellis Of the nation has been constantly
increasing, and now his position and
influence and usefulness are recognized
as second TO none upon the floor of the
House
Now the question comes home to hi:
constituents, whether they shall accept
the theory of frequent rotation, take
upon trust new and untried man
either with the hope Of securing higher
qualities of service or to crafty thu
personal ambitions Of some,who hop'
in the overturnings of political changes
to secure some personal advantage t
themselves. We have no word of hos
tile criticism for Col Joyce. Yer,
likely he may have all the excellen
qualities of head and heart which ar
claimed for him by his friends. HI
may have all the qualities which ar
necessary with experience, to place hin
in the highest niche of fame and upol
the pinnacle of influence. He may b
true as steel, firm as adamant, stron
as Hercules. But we have not trie,
him. We do not know whether h
would stand guard over the Treasur
to prevent the passage Of unjust claims
as Mr.. Willard has done, or not. ii
certainly has not had Mr.. Willard
experience.
1t Is n well known fact that the it'll
state of Vermont with her contracte
boundaries, her mountain fastnesse:
her lack of wealth and luxury. and he
small population, to-day, carries an il
finence In national affairs, fully equl
TO that of any state in the Union. An
why? Because of the strength and re'
ognized integrity of her delegation !
in Congress. Shall we cheaper tn;
influence by substituting for exper
ence, inexperience; for qualities thu
are known and have q national recol
milton, those OF which We have 1
knowledge?