Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-05-05
MIR. HARRIs's LETTER.

DHATILEbOhOs ApIll ~ loiO'
John N. Barter, Esq, Rutland, ". My
Dear SRI have received your favor
of the Goth, calling my attention to an edi-
torlal article in the Rutland Daily Herald
OF the same date, on 1.-THE Governor Ques-
tion," in which am sharply arraigned for
my alleged "Greeleyism" four years ago.
A few words will serve 10 dispose of this
absurdly frivolous accusation. 1t may GER
tainly be regarded as fortunate that the
Representative of the Herald" In his
careful study ofihe matter on the ground"
found no more serious charge TO bring
against me.
More than twenty-five years ago, when 1
was just making feeble beginning
in the editoria! professional time you will
remember well-Horace Greeley came to
Vermont TO aid the wing party In then
pending canvass of more than usual inter-
est He made his opening speech in Brat
tleboro, and thence travelled 10 different
parts of the county and stale, speaking dali
ly, for two weeks or more. BY his invita-
ton was his constant companion during
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 adm iration and esteem and a
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 at
tention and Kindness, which won my last
ing gratitude. And therefore, when, dur
ing the exciting canvass four years ago, 1
heard him coarsely and bitterly denounced
as the incarnation of all that was corrupt
and vile, ventu red to defend his good
ma me, and 10 urge, in mitigation, his pre-
vious life of well-doing and his still I'M
questioned integrity. have never regret
ted 1t; and cannot even now bring myself
to agree with the Herald in regarding the
act as political crime. Only few months
la tier these fierce denunciations were hush
ed into silence, in the presence of the great
sorrow with which the whole nation be-
walled his loss. Having no sympathy with
his later political affiliations, yet never
cea sed to regard him as a man of pure life
and honest purposes. 1 could not forget,
and did not hesitate to say-wbat now re-
peat-that, in my opinion, he did far more
than any man of his generation-mo even
than Garrison, Sumner, Chase or Seward
to inaugurate and carry forward those
grand ideas and movements for the enfran-
chisementan uplifting of mankind, which
will glorify the history of the last thirty
years. And yet with all his greatness of
81 o,,l TIT .,1 I, 4
such marked eccentriciies and obvious
weaknesses of character as, TO my mind,
rendered him an unsuitable man to be
presid ent. therefore never advocated his
nomination for that high office by my own
party, and l did not vote for him, and new
or for a nom ent intended 10 vote for him,
when nominated by the opposition. My
"Greeley ism" had this extent-no more.
My republicanism, it may be proper to
say, since the Herald thus calls II in ques-
ton, is the outgrowth of honest conviction,
and not thing of mere temporary exped-
ency and hence deem it more important
for the party TO be right, than 10 be always
sue cessful. 1 assisted at the organization
of the party in this state, and thencefor-
ward 10 the present time, have given its
principles and its candidates, both state
and national, my constant support. But I
long ago ceased 10 believe in the inlallbil-
ity of party, and have, from time TO time,
taken leave TO indulge in free and frank
criticisms upon the men and measures of
the republican organization, condemning
either or both, as occasion seemed 10 de.
mand, quite as emphatically as 1 would de-
nounce the opposition under like circum-
stances. And this l conceive TO lie not on
ly the privilege but the clear duty, as well,
of every republican who desires TO keep
his party in position TO command the APP
proval of the better elements of society, to
which alone it can look for permanent sup
port. Rascality and official corruption
should find no apologist in our ranks; and
he is no true friend of the republican party
who seeks TO shield any guilty man, high
punishment. II the avowal of such sent-
ments as these is disqualification for full
fellowship in the republican party of Yer
mont, 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 1 intended at the
outset; but you will pardon me if sug-
gest, in extenuation, that you have fairly
drawn the iDfiiction on yourself, by asking
questions. Most cordially yours,
b. d. HARRIS.