Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-10-18

we're about to discuss the problems OF
the day and to turn their attention to
the duties of the hour. He has been
the Governor of a State he has been
\ chief financial officer OF the Gov
eminent he is q leading man in the
Senate of the United States no man
in our land has had better means OF
knowing the causes of the evils which
alfiict our country, the remedies which
can relieve its sutierings or the policy
his party has to pursue in the future.
Nv personal acquaintance with him is
but slight. But we have all held tav-
orable opinions of his integrity. When
such man came to our State to speak
10 our people, at a time like this, we
had a right to expect calm, thoughtful,
patriotic, business-llke addresses, /
appeal to men of all parties if they
were of that character if they touch
ed the duties of the day if they threw
light upon the problems which disturb
mems minds if they told us what h's
party would do in tie future, except
that his praises Of its past intln*ted
that Republicans would do hereafter
as they had done heretofore. will
say no unkind thing of this Repnoll-
Can leader | will not only look upon
his speeches as proof of the stress
which must have been brought upon
such man before he made the adj
dresses printed in the Repub'lca"
journals. They did more injustice to
himself, to his party and to his State
than to the Democratic party On
our part we have sought to meet the
issues of the day III Il fair spirit.
only repeat what have said hereto
fore in this place, on like occasion:
when say l will do no injustice t'
the party which now governs the coun
try. I admit that the same spirit o
extravaganza which marks its cxpen
ditures has been shown by every Stat
and municipal government wlthou
regard to the party which controlle'
them, since the close of the war, Ih
) American people nave lost much q
their former habits of industry, econ
omy and public virtue.
WHERE THE TROUBLE Is.
Our troubles spring in great dc
gree from public rather than from pc
iitica decentralization. 1t is sa
truth that we must confess that 4
branches OF government represent II
spirit of speculation and the efforts
gain wealth by other means than h
industry and economy. We cann'
correct these evils, we cannot 9
back our people upon higher plan
: OF morals and habits by partisan abus
: Reform must begin with each man
his habits and those of bis family. L
!. litical parties must show their meFl
by lerretiny out wrongs in their o"
I ranks, and they must prove the
9 claims to public support, not by co
e cealing, but by exposing the guilt
Il their partisans. The highest trlbu
= paid to the labors OF Governor lid
'c and to those who are uphoIIinS nj
q is the fact that Republican journ;
II and speakers claim that their exp'
! ures reflect most strongly upon t
T. party to which they are attached. 1
Il darkest shadow which rests upon th
Az party is made by the fact that they
Il sail these efforts at reform, and &
:, moro ANXIOUS to condemn the condr
- or mistakes of the men who are lS
- inc bare hidden crimes than they
u TO punish criminals. An occasion
W compliment to the Governor, or
- hement claim that they mean to
VI hold him in his work, do not att
" the constant stream OF censure or
u labors to break down his supporters
"' NEW YORK AND THE CIVIL WAR;
~ Was il wise in the Senator tr
~ Massachusetts, when he came Il
~ this Democratic State, to charge Il
~ we were opposed to putting down
y, rebellion Was it polite IN him
remind the public that the Republl
m section of the Union, from which
its comes, did the least OF all the MOI
|is. ern States to furnish men to tight
mo battles tor the Union, while n
all York sent IL larger ratio than any {
NV er Atlantic State Here is II cutt
do. rebuke to the statement OF the sc
ak tor. New York furnished more I
III. other States in proportion to its |
\ ulation. This is shown by the
ith lowing statement
49,. Tho ovarooa ratio of enrolment