Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-11-14
Che fmEmau.
MONTPELIER VT.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. IA, 1877.
Oar Boston Letter,

away, lne situation reviewed, and the re
sults summed up. In great measur
prophecy has failed, the most acute an,
logiraI deductions have come utterly shor
of the truth. Notwithstanding that Their
WAS an extra candidate in the canvass
and that the friends of prohibition hav
been unusually active, circulars. party or
gans and appeals having everywhere beer
Scattered with liberal hand, the result j.
brilliant victory for the republicans ant
the administration. Even the most san
guine hardly dared hope that Rice woul
be elected by more than very small ma.
jority, and were agreeably surprised by
ihe handsome plurality of seventeen thou.
Band
Massachusetts has shown that she hear.
ply approves the southern policy" Of
the president, and has no sympathy with
ihe croakers. 1t WIS this rather than any
Particular State issue or admiration for
Governor Rice which caused such large
Republican vote. But the republicans are
not the only ones TO congratulate them.
selves, the prohibitionists having made
m 'teriaI advances, and their prospects be-
ing much more hopeful. But II short time
has elapsed since this was made distinct
we, political issue, yet much advance in
public thought has been made. Il thorough
foundation has been laid upon which time
and the good sense Of the people, who are
sick Of the promises of both parties, will
feIr the beautiful and complete superstruc-
ture of government uncompromislng
lp It's warfare upon the rum traffic. As an
advance in public opinion on this subject
II is noticed that, ut the reception of Gov.
tlice, on the eve OF the election, no wine
vas served on the tables. This is Ger
lainly encouraging, since the governor is
Bald to be Il license man.
"a The recent auction of the Paine Me.
mortal Hail. together with the Statements
pf Col. lngersoll, have callad public at
lention to the last hours of Thomas Paine.
a glance over his history will DO much to
correct the public sentiment concerning
bis life work, Mr.. Paine WAS horn in
Thctiord, England, Jan. 30, 1857, was of
Quaker origin, and learned the trade of
When he was twenty-five
gears of age he settled in Sandwich, work
ed ut his trade and preached in the dis.
Renting pnlpits of the place. Five years
laler by the advice of Benjamin Franklin,
he came to America, and was appointed
edior of the Penn, Magt=jne. This was
lhe commencement of his public career.
Ills "Serous Thoughts" Il series of ar
tices on slavery, attracted public attention
y once. Following this were his pam
phIels OIL Common Sense" and the
4 Crisis" written for the purpose of fur
therlng republican sentiments and of rous-
lng The sleeping ardor Of the people
Amid the exciting times of &c these were
|nyalaabe and by general order were
lead ut the head of each regiment of the
colonial army. In gratitude for this the
government gave him fifty pounds, and
|he University of Pennsylvania the degtce
pf A. NJ. lie then was in government
Employ for some time, and while clerk in
|he Pennsylvania Legislature started the
nOvem"nt which resulted in the formation
"A the Bank Of North America This gave
|he government II financial basis, and
proved the salvation Of the army, which |
We're then clamoring for their pay. Sub
Sequently he represented America at the |
french Court, AMI performed distinguished !
'eryircs His pamphlet, " The Rights of
Nan" i'll defence of republican doctrines,
PAL an immense circulation. In 1892 he
gns elected to theFrench National Conven
'on, wacre he played prominent part,
leplng to frame the new constitution. |
During the a>cendency OF Rpbe9pipr,e,
whose hatred he had incurred Paine bare
N escaped the guillotinc. From this point
Ais career seemed to have been down
yards He had already composed II part
a his " Age Of Reason" and, soon after
lis return to America, finished it and
Frotc theirs Of like character. While this |
look is extremely radical in some of its
Ratcmcnts, it does not deny the belief in
FOL and future life. Its great attempt
Rns to inyalidate the truth of the Bible
llis later years were those of debauchery
lnd The most complete degradation. Thus
lis life was fall Of inconsistencies. Out
awed by England, he became the apps.
le Of Liberty in France" " preaching in
'andwich, he hero sought to overthrow
be eI'gious belief of centuries; the earn
81 advocate Of republican principles, he
iter sought to undermine th. foundations
# all true government; ut one time IL
nodcl in his private life, he sank so low
bat even his friends abandoned him to his
ate; decryng he religion of Jesus Christ,
e on his death-bed, implored forgiveness
Ind salvation from this same Christ,
OF late there has been much discussion
Yin regard to the cost Of keeping the
Common and pleasure grounds in order
! is alleged that lhe city hts not only had
pay eXorbilant prices for labor and ma-
eriaI, but public dinners, wines and car
iages for the officials have been included
the bills presented. Naturally the peo-
lle are somewhat indignant, and have be-
Jun to investigate the matter. 1t has been
Duni that, compared with the number of
c0es, Boston pays for pleasure grounds
lve times as much rs BrOOklyn,and twenty
imes us much rs the authorities of Fair
nount Park, Philadelphia.
1t may be II question whether, if tho
resent incnmbunls are kept in office, Bos-
on will not soon be in the control of u /
ing ITS blse us was the rweed- -Tammany. |
The plank walks on the Common arc now
icing placed ready for winter. The plants
Jhe public gardens have all been taken {
p and tulip and hyacinth bulbs planted, h
be beds being covered with II rich mulch.
be seats under the trees are becoming less I
nd less occupied, the apple and peanut s