The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-08-12

JUDGE OF PRoBArE--ADDIsoN DISTRICT
SAMUEL T.. COOKE, Mlddlebury.
JupaR OF rRoBATE--SEw HAVEN DISTRICT,
JOHN d. SMITH, yergonnes.
s.4-Some Of the clerical friends of
the Rev. c. s. Smith, probably from
their personal acquaintance with him,
think an item inadvertently published in
the REGISTER referring to his decliuation
Of the preferred d. d. does him injus.
tico. IL it does 80. we regret that it
found place 10 our columns. We would
not willingly do injustice to any man.
There is an unfortunate impression, how.
ever, among some who ought to be well
Informed upon the matter, which came to
US in the form Of an absolute statement
to the effect that Mr.. Smiths more 10.
innate friends made application, first to
the University, and failing there came to
Middlebury, presumably with his knowl.
edge and assent ,basiDg claim rather upon
the advantage which would accrue to the
Vermont Chronicle and the Vermont Do.
nestle Missionary Society, which he rep.
resents, than upon any personal merits,
though these we're supposed not to be
wanting. Upon this statement of facts
the inference of an unworthy motive for
declining the honor may not be necessary.
but it certainly is natural. We have not
seen the letter of doclination, but presume
1t to be entirely inoffensive 10 terms
If the statement above referred to is
not correct it should be known, so that
those who have always had high regard
for Mr.. Smith as a clergyman Of distin.
guished worth and ability may not have
their esteem leasened by almost necessary
infer onces to his disadvantage.
SEA mass convention has been call.
ed by the executive committee of the Ad.
disoD County Temperance Society at tha
camp grounds 10 New Haven, for Thurs
day, August IL to nominate a candidate
for the Office of states attorney. This
call purports to have been issued 10 re.
Spouse to the direct request Of eight hun
bred voters of this county. If SO, the
disaffection is not entirely insignificant, ia
say the least. Besides. the very highest
motives must be accorded to those who
are moving in this bolt And yet it in
wolves such serious consequences that W.
cannot refrain from expressing regret
that there should be considered necessity
for it. If the grave charges made
against the present incumbent and nom
inee of the Republican party, Of offcia
neglect and misconduct, are we'll founded
and can be shown to be so, We have moth
ing to say in opposition to the movement
We recognize "the divine right of bolt
ing" unworthy nominations
But is il quite SO serious as that |
so that 10 nn end OF all discussion Ii
the absence Of The distinct statement o
: charges and reasons which are prompting
the gentlemen from the north part of thi
county, who, of course, have much BETTE
opportunities for judging of tue ofiicis
, acts aud qualifications of the present in
cumbent than anyone further removed, ",
can only state what we consider the geo
ersl principles Of duty in the premises
First, no mere personal consideration
should be allowed to influence tho vote
! to favor bolt from the regular party
nomination. When q nomination is fair
. ly made each member of the party max
, ing it is under obligation TO sink his per
sonsl preferences in the general prefer
enee. OF course this rule does not 10
vOlve the surrender Of principle, which
stands on different basis. Secondly. il
estimating the reasons for bOlting. if an
exist beyond the personal, We shout,
. proceed upon the presumption that tn
party would not have made the nomina
ton il it had not been a worthy one. Il
4 other words, the 0nus proJandi falls upol
the other side. Those asserting that tn,
r nomination is not proper one must max
!, their case.