Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-05-05
Mr.. HARRIs's LEI =.

BRAT. LEBoRo, AplI l., 1916.
john N. BaIter, Esq, Rutland. IT. My
Dear Sir i have received your favor Of
the Goth, calling my attention TO an editorial
article in the Rutland DAILY Herald. of the
same date, on 4" The Governor Question" in
which am sharply arraigned for my alleged
" Greeleyism, four years ago. Z few words
Will serve TO dispose Of this absurdly friyOl
Gus accusation. 1t may certainly be regard
ed as fortunate that the " representative
OF the Herald" in his % careful study of
the matter on the ground" found no more
serious charge to bring against me.
! More than twenty-five years ago, when
was lust making a very feeble beginning in
the editorial profession-s time you will re-
member well-Horace Greeley came TO Yer
mont 10 aid the Wing party in then pend
ing canvass Of more than usual interest. He
made his opening speech in Brattleboro.
and thence travelled to different parts Of
the County and State, speaking daily for
| two weeks or more. BY his invitation
| was his constant companion during these
two weeks, and enjoyed, as | then
thought, and still think. the very great
/ privilege Of free and unrestrained per
sonal intercourse with him. At any rate,
/ there grew out Of this c0mpanionship
on my part the highest admiration and
esteem and strong personal affection for
/ Mr. Greeley and, on his part, running
/ through his whole life, many inspiring
words Of counsel and cheer, and numerous
acts Of personal attention and kindness,
which Won my lasting gratitude. And,
therefore, when, during the exciting can
yass, four years ago, / heard him coarsely
/ and bitterly denounced a. the incarnation
Of all that was corrupt and vile, | ventur-
| ei to defend his good name, and 10 urge,
/ IN mitigation, his previous life Of well-do-
! ing ami bis still unquesti0ned integrity. |
| have never regretted il and cannot even
/ now tring myself 10 agree with the Herald
in regarding the act a. a political crime.
Only few months later these fierce de-
nunciati0ns were hushei into silence, in the
/ presence Of the great sorrow with which the
whole nation tewalei his loss Having no
sympathy with his later political affiliations,
l vet never ceased 10 regard him Is a man
OF pure lie and honest purposes. could
not forget. and did not hesitate 10 say
what now repeat-that, II ny opinion, be
did far more than any man Of his geners-
ti0n-m0re even than Garrison. Sumner,
Chase OF Seward-t0 inaugursts and carry
I forward those grand ideas and movements
iJr the Embarrassment and uplifting Of
mankind, which VII glorify the history Of
the asst thirty years. And vet, with al his
greatness of soul and intellect and schieve-
meuts, he had such marked eccentricities
ana obvious weaknesses Of character a., TO
nv mind rendered him an unsuitable man
10 be President. ! therefore never advocated
his nomination for that high office By nv
own party. and ili not vote for him, and
never for ! moment intended u vote for
him. when nominated BY the opposition.
Ny Greeleyism' had this e1tent-no more.
Ny repubLcanism. il NAV be proper 10
say. since the HsrCld thus calls il in ques-
ton, : the ouigr5v.h Of honest conviction,
and lot thing Of mere temporary expedi-
ency and hence deem it more important
for the Tar;y 70 be right, than to be always
successful | assisted at the organization Of
the party in this State, and thenceforward,
/ - the present time, have gwen is pin
/ ciples and il, candidates, both State and na-
tiona., nv constant support. But | long
ago ceased 10 believe in the iniallibility Of
/ party and have, from time 10 time, taken
! leave = indulge n tree and frank criticisms
| upon the men and measures Of the repub-
/ lican organization, condemning either, or
/ both. Is occasion seemed to demand, quite
a. emphatcally a. | would denounce the
| opposition under ike circumstances. And
/ tins conceive to be not only the privilege,
bat the clear duty, as well, Of every Repub-
/ lean who desires 70 keep his party IL po-
sition 10 command the approval Of the better
elements Of society, 10 (which alone il can
look for permanent support. Rascality and
official corruption should find no spologist in
our ranks aud he Is No true friend Of the
Republican party who seeks 10 shield any
guilty man. high or low, from merited ex-
posure and prompt punishment. If the
avowal Of such sentiments as these Is dis
qualification for full fellowship IN the Repub-
lican party Of Vermont, the time Is near at
hand when We shall have no party worth
belonging to.
TINS letter hss grown into far more for
midable proportions than intended at the
outset bur you viii pardon NE if suggest,
IN extenuation, that you have fairly drawn
the indiction on yourself, by asking ques-
tons. Most cordially yours.
B. D. HAKRB.