St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1876-05-26

sion. ever countenanccd corrupt prac-
tees or combinations, or impeded their
exposure and punishment, or opposed
necessary measures of reform. We shall
support no candidate who. while possess
ing official influence and power. has
failed to USE his opportunities i'll eX-
posing and correcting abuses coming
within the reach of his observation. bus
tor personal REASONS and party ends, has
permitted them to tester on. for such
men may Ice counted ON. not to uncover
and crush corruption, but, for the par
tvs sake. merely to conceal 1t. We
shalI support no candidate, however
conspicuous his position, or brilliant
his ability. in whom the impulses of the
party manager have shown themselves
predominant over those of the reformer.
for he will bc inclined to continue that
fundamental abuse, the employment of
the government service as Il machinery
tor personal OF party ends. We shall
support no candidate who, however fi-
vorablN Judged 10y his nearest friends,
is not publicly known to possess those
qualities OF mind and character which
the stern task of genuine reform re-
quircs, for the American people cannot
now afford Ia risk the future of the re
public III experiments on merely sup
posed virtue or rumnrcd ability, to he
trusted on the strength of private rec
concentrations.
In one VOID, at present. no candidate
should he held entitled to the support
of Il patriotic citizen of whom the ques-
ton may he fairly asked, Is he the man
To carry through IL thorough going re-
4, II h.N Ia
certainty hc depended upon to possess
the moral courage and sturdy resolution
to grapplc with abuses which have ac-
quircd the strength of established Gus
tom. and to this end firmly resist the
pressure OF his party friends? When
ever there is room ion such Il question,
(and doubt as to the answer.) the call
didatr should he considered unfit for
the emergency. This is 10 time for So
called availability. springing from dis
tinction gained on fields OF action for
eign To duties of government, nor for
that far more dangerous sort of availa-
hilitN which consists III this. that the
candidate lie neither 81 bad as to rcpcl
good citizens, nor So good aS to dis
courage bad ones. Passive virtue in
the highest place has often been to per
nit the growth of active vice below.
The man to he entrusted with the pres
IdcncN, this year. must have deserved
not only the confidence of honest men.
hut also the fear and hatred of the
thieves. He who manages to comciliatc
the thieves cannot he the candidate for
honest men. Every American citizen
who has the future of the republic and
the national honor sincerely at heart,
should >olcmnly resolve that the coun-
Try must now have Il president whose
name Is already IL watchword of reform:
whose capacity and courage ioI the
work are matters of record rather than of
promise: who illrcStorr the simplicity.
Independence and rrctitudc of the early
administrations hose life will he IL
guarantee of his fidelity and fitness IL
nau at the mere sound of who>,. name.
even the most di>hcartcned will take
new courage and all mankind will SAY.
1.-THE Americans are indeed in earnest
To restore the ancient purity of their
government.
1t Is fortunate that the Convention
named no caudidatrS tor just as soon
;> ii man is nominated then the wire
pulling and other machinery devoted
to self, are SET ~ motion. and the pun
poses .ot u reform convention alc
thWutcd.