The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-04-29
Mr.. Harris Letter.

sponsibilitY Of handing II to you for that
purpose. JONI N. BATTER.
Mr.. Harris Letter.
BnATrLRBoRo, April 81, 1870.
John N. Bdrter, esq, Rutland, VI. My
Dear Sir Il have received your favor of
the 26:h, calling my attention to an ed
itorial article in the Rutland Daily Herald
of the same date, on 1.-THE Governor Ques-
tion," in which am sharply
arragned for my alleged "Grecley-
lem" four years ago. A few words will
servo to dispose of this absurdly frivolous
accusation. 1t may certainly be regarded
as fortunate that the representative OF
the Herald" in his careful study of the
matter on the ground" found no more &C.
rious charge to bring against me.
Moro than twenty-five years ago, when l
was just making very feeble beginning in
the editorial professional time you will
remember well-Horace Greeley came to
Vermont to aid the wing party in a then
pending canvass of more than usual inter-
est. He made his opening speech in Brat
tleboro, and thence travelled to different
parts of the county and state, speaking
daily, for two weeks, or more. BY his in
vitaiion was his constant companion dur
ing these two weeks, and enjoyed, as 1
then thought, and still think, the very
great privilege of free and unrestrained
personal intercourse with him. At any
rate, there grew out of this companionship
on my part, the highest admiration and es-
TEEN 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
vass four years ago, heard him coarsely
and bitterly denounced as the incarnation
of all that was corrupt and vile, ventured
to defend his good name, and to urge, in
mitigation, his previous lie of wel-doing
and bis still unquestioned integrity. l
have never regretted it and cannot even
now bring myself to agree with the Herald
in regarding the act as a political crime.
Only few months later these fierce de-
nunciations were hushed into silence, in
the presence Of the great sorrow with
which the whole nation bewailed his loss
Having no sympathy with his later political
affiliations, l yet never ceased to regard
him as man Of pure life and honest pur-
poses. could not forget, and did not
hesitate to say-what now repeat-that,
in my opinion, be did far more than any
man Of his generation-more even than
Garrison, Sumner, Chase or Seward-to
inaugurate and carry forward those grand
ideas and movements for the enfranchise-
ment and uplifting of mankind, which will
glorify the history of the last thirty years.
And yet, with all his greatness Of soul
and intellect and achievements, he had
such marked eccentricities and obvious
weaknesses of character as, to my mind,
rendered him an unsuitable man TO be
president. / therefore never advocated
bis nomination for that high office by
my own party, and l did not vote
for him, and never for moment intended
to vote for him, when nominated by the
opposition. My "GreeleyIsm" had this
ex;ent-no moro.
My republicanism, 1t may be proper to
say, since the Herald thus calls it in ques-
ton, is the outgrowth Of honest conviction,
and not thing OF mere temporary expedi-
ency and hence deem it more important
for the party to be right, than to be al
ways successful. assisted at the organi-
zation of the party 10 this state, and
thenceforward, to tho present time, have
given its principles and it's candidates, both
state and national, my constant support.
But l long ago ceased 10 believe in the In
falibility of party, and have, from time to
time, taken leave to indulge in free and
frank criticisms upon the men and meas
ures of the republican organization, con.
demning either, or both,a occasion seemed
to demand, quite as cmphatlcally as
would dcnounce tine opposition under like
circumstances And this conceive to be
not only the privilege, but the clear duty,
as well, Of every republican who desires to
keep his party in position to COM
mand the approval OF the better clements
of society, TO which alone it can look for
permanent support Ra.calily and official
corruption should find no apologist in our
ranks and he Is no true friend Of the re-
publican party who seeks to shield any
guilty man, high or low, from merited ex-
posure and promp. punishment. If the
avowal of such sentiments as these is dis
qualification for full-felowship in the re-
publican party Of Vermont, the time is near
at hand when we shall have no party worth
belonging to.
This letter has grown into far more for
midable proportions than intended at the
outset ; but you will pardon me IL / aug
gest, in extenuation, that you have fairly
drawn the nfction on yourself, by asking
questions. Most cordially yours,
b. d. HARRIS.
E-k=EI-.
Keene, N. d.