Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-05-12
THE GoVERNORSITlR

IHE W IEh4NOhNIIIF
To The Editor of the Phoniz Twin you
allow me the privilege through your col
umns OF referring TO the Governor ques-
ton, which of late has occupied so large a
space in some of the Vermont newspapers.
1t seems quite too early TO agitate the
question, yet such was the anxiety of the
early candidate to appear before the public,
that his friends deemed it wise and neces-
sary 10 push him without moments de-
lay. The discretion of The editors and
skilled men in tactics were at once brought
into requisition. The honest voter Is be-
wildered and perhaps mised by the inge-
nuity of those who have enlisted in the
work Of electioneering, as real facts are of
ten concealed from the public. The peo-
pie OF Brattleboro, just now, seem TO be
making themselves quite conspicuous
throughout the State for their judgment of
what constitutes man fit candidate for
Governor. Whoever the unfortunate man
may be that Is brought out as candidate he
soon becomes the model of perfection or
the personification of all that is bad, or at
least such would appear TO be case judging
from some OF The papers. Yet lis not fact
that the masses are willing to endorse false
statements, neither do they wish TO ignore
facts.
1t does not follow that successful man
in his own business has all tho qualilca-
lions requisite for Governor. 1t is not I'M
derslood that the people of Vermont are
yet prepared TO pay homage TO wealth as
the all-important qualification for the high
est office in the gin of the people, regard
less of those qualifications which other
states consider of such vital importance.
If the people and the press of Vermont
have lost the respect for their own honor
which other states have had for them, we
shall soon find ourselves on the retrograde
plan. Shall we falsiry our oath by misrcp-
reservations as to facts as they actually ex-
list? Under the circumstances it becomes
each and every man TO think and act for
himself
If 1t is conceded 10 Wihdham county 10
bring out candidate for Governor, shall
we not take stand which we can fully
sustain by presenting a man who is actual
ly qualified for the office, man who is not
u partisan to any clique or clan, a men who
has the ability and talent necessary to fill
so important an office, even ii he has not
accu mulated a fortune. Some of us who
have been so unfortunate us 10 be obliged
to grope our way through life without a
common school education, are fully sensi-
BILE that we are not prepared or fitted TO
fill position in which a good education
would be indispensable, and few would as
pire TO an office for which, for the want OF
common school education they were
wholly untitled. Hence we do not believe
Vermont has dropped so far behind her
sister states as 10 60 for man for Govern
or for no other reason save that he has been
successful in piling up private fortune.
Wealth is honorable and even desirable, If
rightly used, but is that 10 be the test as TO
a mans fitness for Governor? Are there
not other qualifications necessary? If We
have man among us who has not amassed
so large a fortune, but who is equally hon
est and true, man equally public spirited
and patriotic, and whose character will
bear as close scutiny, with the addition OF
liberal education, with respectable rec
good record while in the employ of the
general government, together with the fact
that he has always stood firm to true Re-
publican principles, would he not be far
preferable, and would he would he not be
lar moro acceptable To the people by being
able TO fulfil The duties of his office as the
education of the age demands? Amer di-
costing the various communications which
have appeared in our village papers, and
others, can understand the reason why
the neighboring counties make fun Of us.
1t Is not strange that Windham county Is
to-day suffering the ridicule of those who
do not believe in backward III Movements.
Ii, with my regard and respect for Jacob
Estey. l am obliged to surrender my opin-
ion OF his ability for the Office of Governor
simply because a public journal sees fit to
turn all of its special labor in his favor,
should feel like selling out my share in
modern Republicanism, or If the injunc-
ton 10 "fOllow peace with all men" means
vote for the first man up, l should be
obliged to believe in some other dispense
ton. If 10 he friendly TO person l must
sacrifice my own opinion aud my self-re-
spect, fail to understand my duty as a
citizen, as a voter.
If my choice is for the Hon. Broughton
ID. Harris for Governor on account of his
qualifications, IL does not follow that |
should disguise or ialsify him or his COM
petitor TO carry out my claim, and only
deplore the disposition of some Of our citi-
Zens 10 give such unnatural coloring TO
their statements and writings. Let each
town in our county see 10 1t that they elect
delegates to the State convention that are
true to their oath, voting untrammeled for
a man fully capable OF performing the du-
ties OF the Office of Governor.
EDWARD Crosby.