Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-10-30
General GrOut to the Voters.

To the Freenen ora Third Congressional Dis
trict Your attention has been directed by tl
Governors proclamation to the choice, on the 5tl
IT November next of a person to represent you iii
Congress. This unusual proceeding has been made
necessary by the remarkable conduct of eertaii
gentlemen in the district, heretofore moving witt
the Republican party, who, before the Septembe'
election inaugurated and carried forward a cam
paign--the character of which will not stop here
10 discuss-but which, taken as whole, is with
out parallel in the history of the state Among
the many extravagant things said in that canvass
it was said that neither the Republican party ii
the Third District nor the candidate OF that party
had any political principles. 1t was certainly I'M
fortunate that the Hydepark Convention did moi
announce platform of principles; but that con
venton was one of unexampled excitement and
activity, and the closing scene was 80 unanimous
so full of apparent good feeling that in the ecstas,
OF the moment 1t was forgotten. Had tue couven'
ton put forth a platform, there is no doubt il
weuld have been one of pronounced Republican
ism-one recognizing alike the proud career OF
the party and the high demands of the hour II
is safe to say that in it would have been found no
comfort for regulators or inationists-no licens'
for socialists or disorganizers 1t would have de
clared in favor of honest money, viz; coin
standard-the only fixed standard of the CONNER
cial world. 1t would have counselled no back
ward step in the world OF resumption-but would
have insisted that labors dollar should be a real
dollar, and that that part OF our currency repre-
scented by paper should be equivalent to and con
veitible into coin at the option Of the holder,
thereby making 1t secure and steady currency
regulated by the laws OF trade and not, as some
would have it, by Il iuctuating majority in Con
gress subject to all those political vcissitudes
which would surely paralyze the arm Of industry
and cheat toll OF its pittance. That platform
would doubtless have endorsed the effort put
forth by the present administration to elevate and
reform the civil service; would have declared in
favor of pure, frugal and efficient administration
in every part of the government; would hav,
pleaded for free, unsectarian public schools, and
for the equal civil rights OF all before the law.
Such In brief outline would have been the
platform of that convention. Such at least is my
PLATFORM and II upon that platform cannot win.
then upon that platform | am willing to lose But
beg the Republicans of the Third District to re-
member that this is not my affair alone, but
theirs as well; that the issue is not in my hands
largely upon what they may do and very little
upon what may do.
know that by convention have been charged
with the custody of the Republican standard, and
have duty to perform. 1t is in obedience to THAI
duty that write this letter, in order that all may
know that, for one at least, shall never consent
that that standard be lowered one jot or one tit
tie to the motley flag of the opposition.
did not thrust myself into this campaign. 1t
was with reluctance that entered 1t, and should
have kept out altogether, but thought only of
friendly and generous rivalry for preference
within the Republican rauks-to be decided In the
usual way, by conventions. As it is, l-would
step out now, but the standard IL in my keeping
and like the Admiral who, In the midst of au en-
gagement, sgnalled ship Of the line to move
alongside his own and rs Il came near said to the
Lieutenant commanding the approaching vessel /:
have taken the depth of the water at this
point, and II go down, II Is not 80 deep but that
the flag, which you see nailed TO the mast, will
still ioat above the surf. l. Is Your business to
stand by the flag, $50, fellow-citizens, | propose
To go down-ii go down | must-with flying
culors those colOrs still bearing these inscrip-
tons: Honest Money!" Resumption Of Specie
Payments" civil Service Reiorml' Free
Schoolsw Equal Civil Rightsl"
Under this banner honest men from all parties
can rally. II such will do their duty, do not tie
lieye the waters Of this unseemly contest are 81
deep, but that we NAV still stand upon the solid
ground and beat back the dark wave that threatens
TO enguli us do not believe that the hard
money men Of the Third District are so demoral.
lied as to lie supiuey by and surrender without a
struggle, II Is, however all with them; and they
need not be reminded that they stand in the full
gaze of the whele state OF Vermont, indeed of
the whole country; aud that the friends OF honest
money aud honest government everywhere, ex.
pect that ON the 9th OF November next every man
In the Third District will do his duty. This DONE
and all will be well. | am, fellow citizens,
Hopefully and faithfully
Your obedient servant,
WILLIAM W. GnouT.