Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-08-30


Federal army to insure success in State
electio ons to the party which elevated hin
to power. You have seen him call arounc
him, as his associates, advisers and aids
men possessing not an iota Of moral prin
ciple, decency or intelligence. You have
seen vice rewarded and virtue insulted, at
his dictation. All these, and countless
other abuses have you witnessed undel
the reign of Grantism and yet the Re
publican party, at their Convention al
Cincinnati, endorsed these acts of misrule
by a resolution expressing thanks for his
administration ! Nor have these deplor'
able tendencies and abuses been confined
to the National Government. They are
as widespread as the republic ITSELF
Have you not, Freemen OF Vermont,
witnessed here, in your State, Munlcl-
cipnl and Local affairs, men elevated
TO power through the aid Of the same
great machinery-who possessed not the
first qualification or requisite 1of the
Office In reviewing the public records
Of those who have held positions Of trust
and responsibility doyou not find ample
and unouestionabe evidence that q very
large number of them were actuated ny
no better, purer or higher spirit than that
of lust, of cupidity, of irredeemable self
ishness, and intolerable mcanness =
Have they not-in a word-suiliclently
demonstrated their incapacity for taking
any broader, higher or worther views OF
their duties, than those prompted by mere
sclf.intcrest ? And have they not, in'
stead of being servants OF the people
proved servants to themselves Ana
have they notify enacting, or causing TO
be enacted, laws to exempt from taxation
their own property, thereby shifting the
burden of taxation upon the shoulders OF
those who for years had already been sad
died with a most unjust, rulnous and op-
pressive measure Of taxation, absolutely
reversed the rule and made their constit-
uencies the SERVANTS p? And while, as we
are happy and free to admit, there nave
been few who have nobly stood the tests
of honesty, intelligence, and capacity
have not the many proved wanting, en-
tircly wanting. in those great essentials.
There occurs to our mind, at this mo-
ment. an instance in this county during
the past three years, which in our Judg'
ment seems a fitting example. Weeks III
al, ause 30 .i,s n-r.-hi;~~" f"""''' fHn-
yention which was to be held 1he Uooo-
stock Post-a sagacious, fearless' aole
iourna-exposed the work OF scheamlnS
clioue of interested politicians and wire
pullers who secretly assembled in WOOD
stock, and created estate" Some OF
the names which this slate embraced were
also exposed by the Post 1t was also
strongly intimated, through the columns
of that journal, that at least ONE OF th'
gentleman in whose interest this Clique o.
, fuylcrs were said to have been working
was known to lave had cmissaries ira
versing the hills and securing the valleys
of the county. and for the purpose OF folSt
ing into an office,--to do ,rhOSe bidding
the peoples, or his own ? The Conven
ton assembled, and despite the exposure
and warnings of the Post, the slate wa
voted in. The gentleman from one OF Gu
neighboring towns was nominated for IN
State Senate, and was subsequently ciec
ted And how did he serve his constltu
ency e? Whit high and noble qualities Q
craftsmanship did he .dcvelope Was Ii
an honor or disgrace to the Count
) which returned him, and to the State Z
Was his whole soul, body and mind CT
listed for the advancement of theirs, Q
for his own personal interests Z voter
of Vermont, do you, or do you not Ell
II dorse such officials rs the Senator troi
Hartford
Do YOU, or do you not intend to give
. favorable verdict to the repeated acts
u Republican misrule, prostitution, Dartel
II ing, venality and fraud which have chal
acterized the administration OF Grant an
. Co.? You are soon TO pronounce you
~ verdict. May it be in no doubtful, feeb
~ tones. Send it forth, round, full, an
y piercing, that it may be echoed and .
:, echoed throughout the land and strike te
- ror to the hearts of those who IN u
> November election, hope to bind do"
- the masses with weigh.ier chains in hop
> less bondage. Freemen of Vermont, Il
= test your fitness as sovereigns OF a 1r
- land at the ballot.b0x September 5th.