Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-04-26
Secretary sherman to the ohio TIepub-


WASHINGTON, April II, 1873
DEAR SIR Your circular letter Of April
was duly received My official engagements
will not permit me to attend the meeting you
propose to hold, and il would be better that
as an officer of the government of the United
States, | should not personally participate in
the direction Of the campaign feel deeply
interested in the election Of the next House of
Representatives. in the hope it may gain n
majority Of those who agree with us in opin-
ion, that republican policy should prevail in
the popular House Of Congress- and no effort
should be spared to bring about that result
especially in Ohio which hitherto has in the
main been in the vanguard Of our political
contests and ought now to be true to the prin-
ciples and convictions which gave to our state
so much honor during the war.
Upon two or three things we certainly
ought to agree. This is a republican admin
istraton. The president was elected by the
republicans. He has been faithful and true
to the pledges made 10y the party in the con
vention that nominated him, and he repre-
sonts the aspirations and hopes of the best
elements Of our party Some complaint has
been made as to the distribution Of Offices and
rs to the interference of officers in elections
but surely such complaints should not come
from the people, upon whom properly de-
wolves the conduct of all political movements,
lItt llOlll billiAbNN interference ~ ANhGlul VI
fcors. With very rare exceptions, founded
upon local or special reasons republicans
have been nominated to offices, and official
duty has been faithfully and well performed
as much so as during any period of our his
tory. It is true also, that the policy of con-
citation TO the South, from the highest mo-
tives of public good has resulted in quiet,
peace and order, and-as | believe-will in
due time result in the ascendency of the re-
publican party in several of the southern
states
Upon the financial question we certainly
have done what we promised TO do. We have
faithfully executed the law providing for the
resumption Of specie payments; and tire
equality of gold and silver and paper money
is now so near that it would bc the height of
madness to rccede to the uncertainty and per-
lis of incouyertiblc paper money. The law
so much decred and so much misunderstood
has worked its way to successful execution,
and in little while, confidence being restor-
ed. all forms Of money will contribute to pro-
mote the revival Of industry.
The only threat that ondanger, the public
peace and safety is the restoration Of the dem
ocratic party to power Emhttercd by being
out Of power composed largely OF elements
that warred against the government and hav-
ing no sympathy with the measures that now
are in course of successful execution, and
from the nature of their position interested in
policy rs to southern claims which would
impoverish the treasury and arouse anew all
the bitterness of sectional strife, cannot but
regard its restoration to power as the only
danger that really threatens our public peace
and safety II Is far better that We should
meet and resist this danger than to quarrel
among ourselves about the smaller questions
of official patronage and official interference in
elections.
Very truly yours JonN SHERMAN.
To Gen j. $. Robinson. Chairman of the
Republican State Committee. Columbus, o.