St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1876-03-31

WAS nominated for the second. A sin
defeating Mr.. IIamlin's denomination at
Baltimore in 1864, and substituting An
drew johnson in his place. Newspaper
men assert that Mr.. COlfaX's failure to
secure IL denomination was due to his
refusal to accept AN invitation to one of
their banIuets.
/ In other words, the neglect of the
people to make their choice for this of
| flee known to the nominating conven-
ton, renders it more than probable
| that the selection will he the result OF
Il compromise between cliques, il con
ccSsion To Il disappointed minority, or Il
bid for the vote of II doubtful section.
Thus the dream of the trainers of the
Constitution that the second office of
the Republic would he filled 10y its sec
ond best and wiSest citizen, is likely to
be realized by the elevation to that
post of one of whom the country is not
only ignorant, but who always ought
to he, an unknown quantity what the
English call il STATESMAN X"
The cause of the popular apathy as
to the nominee for this office is not hard
to find. The people have come to be
lieve that the Vice President is "a gilt
tcring nonentity." Because the Presi-
dent oveIshadOws him, we forget both
the possibility of the elevation of the
latter and his responsible duties as pre-
siding officer of the Senate. These du-
ties demand ability, experience and
sound judgment. Throwing the cast
ing vote in the Senate, the Vice Presi-
dent should possess the judicial quail
ties of mind which fit one to be an ar
bitter between conflicting interests and
sections. If IL man of ability, his pow
Ell over Legislation must be large.
Bat If reasoning does not show the
necessity of choosing wise men for this
office, does not history prove the folly
of filling ii with nondcscripts ? The
/ w His StN tldl times UttIl
called upon to count the electoral votes
when he WAS IL candidate for the pIe>i-
drncN, and once has it fallen to the lot
of Il Vice President to declare himself
elected President. The opportunity
our electoral system affords. through
the counting of votes, to Il corrupt
Vice President. is clear to any one ia
milan with the defective rules govern
ing that proceeding.
Was 1t not Aaron Burr, II Vice Pre>i-
dent. who while in office murdered
Hamilton, and plotted for the disrlIp-
ton of the union Was it not john
| Tyler, elected a> Vice President. who
set on foot those measures which cul-
minated III the disgiaccs of the MeXi-
can war Was it not Willard Fillmore,
elected H. Vice President, who signed
the fugitive slave law ? Was il not
/ Andrew johnson, elected as Vice Pres
Idtnt, who, at the most critical period
of our Legislative history, when the
harmonious action of the Executive and
Congress WAS essential for the healing
of the Wounds of war, 10y his Ignorance
and obstimacy thwarted the efforts of
the legislative, courted the passage OF
laws that degraded his office and de
laNcd for years the progress of IL healthy
reconstruction
The evil entailcd upon the country
10y these men was the legitimate fruit
of the low estimate put upon their of
flee. Its Ieturn can he arrested only
10y the same early suggestion of camdi-
dates 10y the state conventions that are
made with reference to the first place
upon the ticket, and the same long and
winnowing discussion of the merits of
those recommended. The state con
vcutinIi> thus far held have neglected
this duty. Shall our convention bv its
silence, this week, acquieSce in this
policy of drifting with the tide and
| trusting t" the excitement of the clos
ing hour of the Cincinnati convention
t" turn Hp IA fair average specimen
tnI the Vice Presidency +! We trust its
course will Ice different. We believe it
would Toe wise were it to nominate one
of our own citizens toI that high office
Never has our state furnished IL Presi-
dent "r Vice President twice only has
ii had a seat in the Cabinet. When
other states have citizens qualified toI
these positions, state pride if nothing
more, forces their claims upon the at
tention Of the country. Can Vermont
do less if within our borders there is il
citizen whose large ability. long legis-
lative experience, sound Judgment and
national reputation command the Ic-
spect of the country? Such man, who
hIS hohorcd the state more than it has
honoled him, who has exposed corrup-
ton III high places and stood like i,
wall against the whole power of the adj
Ininistration in defense of local self
government, and by the faithful dis
charge of many an Onerous duty earned
the gratitude and honor of the whole
country, is Luke +. Poland.
HAMILTON.
Our New York Letter.