The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-11-01
Letter from B. R. Herbert.


DEAR SIR Under the practice in public dis
customs Of the present day, the disputant open
wish the privilege of saying few words in reply
to your answer.
You say that being charged with an offence does
against Major Strait were made by his own party
papers, by parties best informed in the premises
and the charges were made in manner to amount
10 direct testimony by the most competent wit
nes>es, and the papers making The charges, as
facts within their knowledge, have never taken
them back and they have not been cOntradicted
and therefore, Major is proved guilty.
Every charge brought against Judge Wilder has
been promptly met and refuted. In your argu-
ment with regard to the character of Judge Will
der, You misconceive his nature and life, when
you speak OF him as OF retiring disposition unfit
ted to mingle with and influence men. Judge Viii.
ders life has been such as to bring him in con.
slant contact with men of all classes, and cause
him to closely observe and study human nature
His practice has been almost wholly before juries
in the District Court, with opposition attorneys
watching every word, ready to take advantage of
tention and move the judgments of petit juriee,
as can Judge Wilder, would WELD no small infu-
ence in the halls of congress.
MI; strait mas never been in position to under
stand or sympathize with men, his life as banker,
taking seven per cent from the government and
twelve per cent from his customers has had
tendency to make him avaricious, and he desires
to get into congress for the money he can make
out oft, and to keep in existence the objectiona-
BILE feature Of the National Bank system, which
you have so heartily condemned, and in which he
is 80 directly interested.
Judge Wilder on the contrary. has always been
a lawyer of the people and for the people, and op-
posed to monopolies. and monied corporation,
and the poorest litigant, the widow and the
orphan, has always obtained his services as readi-
1y as the most wealthy.
His prac,c.. has brought him face to face with
the people. and made him understand their wants,
their feelings aud their trials. 30 man under.
stands better Than i, how to meet and de1.at he
r GgRt. VI " " '''> "' ''' '"''"-''S VI ''''''
You say that snch mon Judge Wilder are the
salt that sclsOncth society," and thinkers who
direct thought into ts proper channels. and in
this you are right, and know vi no place that
needs salt worse than does congress. and they
certainly need some one there to direct thought
into some other channel than the Keeping alive
the dead issues Of the war and the stirring up Of
partisan bitterness
You know that Geo. Washington warned this
nation in his Farewell Address, that one of the
greatest dangers to the liberties Of the people was
this miserable party strife, and 1t seems some
times that the only object of professional poll
ticians il to set the people at again and upset
our free institutions.
Judge Wilder is not that kind OF a man. If he
goes to Washington he will represent the whole
The Judge is no, too digniicd to meet with and
handle. bur he is TOO dgnifed to sell his country
for the advancement of his own interests or the
qualification Of his owl ambition. No man in our
mids, has done more for the cause of common
schools. for the building mp OF churches of all
sects, and no man is worthy Of greater praise for
his charities and his kindly deeds.
You misunderstood me when You say that cup.
friend, and am bitter toward Major Strait because
he is the opponent Of my friend. 1support the
for the position. and oppose Major Strait be-
cause tn0eu him to he unit for the place.
Yours respectfully, B. B. HERBERT.
Reioinder to Mr.. Herbert.