Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-07-12

G.. 4. HOUGHTON, of BENNINGTON.
The Acceptance Of Governor Hayes.
We give the letter Of Governor Hayes |
accepting the nomination of the Republican
party, TO our readers, in another column. |
The position which we have taken on the |
civil service reform makes this letter ex
ceedingly welcome to us. II is the first time
that candidate for the Presidency has
avowed so earnest and intelligent opinions
on this subject. lie repudiates utterly the
rule and custom Of making appointments TO
serve party interests or to reward party lead
ers. lie condemns the whole system Of ap
pointments to Office on the ground that the
spoils belong to the yctors in political con
test, aud recognizes the fact that the only
real qualifications for official trust are hon
esty, capacity and fidelity. lie promises, ii
elected. 10 return to the usages of the early
days of the government, in regard TO ap-
pontments to Office, and he will retain an Of
fcer so long as his personal character re
mains mtarnished and the performance of
his duties is satisfactory. The arguments
by which he sustains this position are as
good as the position itself.
On this topic the letter is very forcible,
wise and admirable 1t will strike the pop
ular heart and give more meaning TO the
canvass than mere controversy for spoils
could possibly have. 1t is good thing, in
a political campaign of this sort, to have
some principles and objects, fundamental to
the controversy, for which it is worth while
for an honest aud intelligent man to contend
There are thousands of men over the country
who have ceased 10 care for mere party poll
itics. II is all one to them whether this or
that man, equally honest or equally dishon-
est, shall be postmaster, collector, clerk, or
tide-waiter. There is nothing in such an
issue that stirs a thoughtful mans blood, or
wakens any other feeling in him than
hearty contempt for politics. But give a
living issue for which TO contend, rescue a
campaign from its purely partisan and per
sonal character, by infusing into it prin
cple which is essential to the integrity and
permanence of the republic, and the high
minded and clear.headed men Of the country
will engage in it with some heart and courage.
Governor Hayes letter will redeem the pres
ent campaign from the utter frivolity and
pitifulness OF partisan warfare for political
spoils. We are grateful that he has not only
taken this position, but sustained it with
irrefragable reasons.
His attitude on the currency question is
decided and sound. lie is opposed to an
irredeemable paper currency, to a currency
inconvertible into gold. lie will use all his
power, if elected TO accomplish the speedy
resumption of specie payments. In this,
also, he takes ground on which honest and
patriotic men can stand with him.
lie also pledges his influence to place our
public school system beyond all danger of
sectarian control or interference This is
90 obviously Just and necessary, that the
thoughtful men of the country will give it
their hearty concurrence. The first great
source of danger to liberty is ignorance
The second great source of peril to civil
freedom is ecclesiastical interference and
uigotry To erect sufficient constitutional
barriers against Ignorance on the one hand
and ecclesiastical interference on the other,
is an object that would redeem political
campaign from all littleness and vanity.
The few words he says with regard to the
~. i Al.
point. The interference of the general gov
ernment with local elections by means of
the military power ought to cease, We
wish the excellent generalities of the letter
could have been exchanged for an incisive
utterauce on this point But Mr.. Wheeler
has given the country satisfaction on this
subject, and we have no doubt that Governor
Hayes means, under his general statements,
to indicate his real sentiment of hostility to
military interference with local elections,
even in the South
The assurance he gives of his infexible
purpose against second term is as vigor-
GUS as it is acceptable. In no better way
could he have given the country an assur-
anee that he is unalterably opposed to the
peculiarities of what so many have objected
to in that system which has been briefly and
CURLY styled Grantism.' Governor Hayes
has given his brother Governor of New York
something TO think about The canvass
must now be on noble issues, and the popu
lar choice will be determined mainly by the
confidence which the people may have in the
honesty and sincerity of the promises and
pledges Of the two candidates, aud in their
ability 10 execute them.