Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-06-24
House OF REPRESENTATIVES,, }

w ASHlNGION, u -, May ~, 100 X
Hon. george Nichols, Secretary Republican
State Committee:
SIR:-I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter of the 18th inst
inviting me as one of the delegation from
Vermont in Congress to meet the Republl-
cans of our state ut their State Convention,
to be held at Burlington on the 18th proXi-
mo.
Nothing could give me greater pleasure
than to be present on that occasion, but
public duties here seem so imperative in
their demand on my time as to forbid my
leaving Washington before the adjourn
ment of Congress, now fixed for the 22d of
June
You say the occasion seems to demand
the presence of some, at least, who are
familiar with the political topics of the
day" While these topics are not the same
in terms they are much the same in prin-
ciples rs they have been for a century.
But Republican Convention in Vermont
has, perhaps, this year more need than
ever be fore to give emphatic expression
to the Vermont idea of Republicanism.
This idea is rs old rs our State Constitu
ton, and is happily expressed in that in
strument 1t contains these fundamental
propositions:
That all power is inherent in and derived from the
people and all officers Of the government are the trus
iegal Way accountable to them.
ht protection and security of the people, nation or
community, and not for the particular emolument or
who part only OF that community
that every member of society has right to be pro
That the people right to hold themselves, their
houses aud papers and possessions free from search
That the people have a right to freedom of speech
cerniu- the transactions of government
and firm adherence to Justice moderation temper
to the blessings OF liberty and keep govern
ou ha' eSf hvf 5a rdesSn clin or
whereby he may honestly subsist
oficcs Of profit the usual effects which are Deepen
lence aud ssrylty unb ming freemen. in the expec-
ants and factious contention and diseord among
That men called to the public service have right
to enable compensation but whenever office.
lessened.
Here the rights of the citizen. the func-
tions of the government, and the duty and
responsibility of officials, are set forth
with wonderful precision and force; and
what has the Republican party, in its best
estate. attempted which has not stood as
the fundamental law of the State for near
ly Il century?
Here is the law of universal freedom
Here the demand for equal civil and poll
teal rights is urgent and without qualifi-
cation. Here the highest aspirations of
civil service reform find expression as
clear and decisive rs in any of its later re-
vivals. Here every species of legislative
or administrative favoritism is denounced
And here the law which should govern
officials and people alike, and by adhering
to which alone will liberty be preserved
and our government kept free. is written
in language so plain that Il child may I'M
derstand and apply it.
The political topic of today ought to be
the necessity of compelling administra-
tons. parties and officials to obey these
principles. The Republicans of Vermont
their duty-to require of every govern
obedience to the law Of freedom and equal
mentS only rightfullv exist This work is
never complete. The country is saved as
men are saved, not alone by one supreme
effort, but by eternal vigilance and the
never-ending battle of right against wrong,
VI justice si2ttiiict lNlotlNt- VI pun
against corruption. The battle is as hot
today rs ever, and no cry of party eXpedi-
ency should silence single voice or I'M
nerve single arm raised to denounce or
strike down the foes of honest administers
ton. The life is more than meat; the
body is more than raiment, and the life of
the state. the liberties and the rights of
the citizens are more than party ascend
ency. The Republican party lives. and only
has right to live. while it is right both in
principle and administration. Its grand
record should not, and believe will not
be dishonored by any weakness in its war
upon the foes of righteous government
now. In Vermont, at least, its voice and
its vote will never be wrong, for it has
behind it the hundred years of honest and
free government, and its people never
failed to answer 4 call when there was
peril to the country.
| expect to hear from your convention
an expression of the will of the Republi-
cans of our COOL state, that will leave no
doubt as to the vigorous future of the party
there, and will give new hope of honest
and pure administration everywhere.
Respectfully yours,
c. w. WILLARD.