Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-12-29
Hayes and Reform"

The Argus of this week has two questions
for US. First, as to what church We belong,
which tolerates "lberty Of conscience" We
fear the fellow is not much of theologian,
nor very we'll versed in ecclesiastical history,
and as this is secular aud not religious,
and espe oally UNCONVENTIONAL journal, we
shall not discuss that point. This much may
be said however, that at our latest adv;ces
we were in good and regular standing"
in that church, and We have always spoken
our mind right out in meeting not always
to the liking Of some straight jackets. But
We hold that the day Of legal and religious
ostracism is past, aud the era OF a Christian
charity as broad, as deep and as genuine as
that which characterized the Founder OF our
holy religion should belong to man. We
may be expelled as the Argus expects, though
we think not. Tor does he not say that "all
the expectations Of the wicked shall perish. "
All, friend, have ye never read 10 Hamlet Of
things not yet dreamed of by philosophers
as great aud wise rs thou art?
Second, the Argus asks how We, VITA our
independent views, could support Hayes
when he was surrounded and his campaign
conducted by such men as Morton, Chandler
aud Cameron Frankly. sir. VIC say We
did it under protest, as We have already said
in these men and men like them, as Blaine
and Dawes. aud Boutwell,, and Butler, and
Logan. we have no confidence, that is 10 their
craftsmanship, as distinguished from parti-
sanship nor in their political sagacity, for
partisanship destroys that nor in their broad
patriotism which recognizes the rights Of the
whites as we'll as the blacks 10 the south (;
nor 10 their wisdom to devise aud carry out
measures for the healing Of the nation.
Twelve years since the close of the war :;
twelve years Of republican supremacy !;
twelve years OF legislating for the south, and
then the party under the accepted leadership
of these men went into the presidential cam
paign with violence aud bloodshed, and ter.
rorism at the south for its great rallying cry
That disguised US, Mr.. Argus, as it did the
better elements of our party, because, though
we knew the old slumbering embers Of slav-
cry and secession needed to have an eye kept
upon them, the great and crying needs Of the
country were reform in civil service, in ad-
ministration and finance. Aud the small
majOrities Of the republicans compared with
its former overwhelming SUCCESSES, demon.
strates the existence as well as extent Of this
dissatisfaction of the best republicans with
the conduct of their party leaders and to
us it Is painful and humiliating fact.
How then could we support Hayes2 On
these grounds We did it. First, because we
were reduced to a choice between the two
men, as the independents who met in New
York failed to put Bristow into the field af-
ter the Cincinnati and st. Louis conventions,
which being done would have thrswn the
election into the house and BristOw would
have been chosen. Second, because in his
grand type of character, moral and otherwise,
in his chosen political assOciations--not
those thrust upon him--and in his public ca
reer we thought Hayes the superior man.
We say this not to disparage in any way Mr..
Tilden's personal character nor bis success
as governor Of New York. Third, because
the democratic party has put forward too
often during the last few years its inferior
men it has not shown a disposition to meet
the independent aud better elements of the
republican party half way and unite with
them in the work Of reform. Not long ago
seOatOrship in Connecticut was in the hands
Of the democrats. Whom did they select,
such man as Daniel A. Wells, an indepen-
dent man Of unquestiODed integrity and first