Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-08-23
For the Free Press and Times,
L. n IIanarahIeS

have never read the Barlow letter..
" neither his views would commend them
selves TO my Judgment, do not know. II
they are right, Of course, every body ought
to adopt them.
The question Just here occurs to me, Arc
they Republican No matter whether they
arc or not? Consider. Mr.. Barlow and hi.
friends have made tremendous and costly
attempt to procure his nomination to Con-
gress by the Republican party. Financial
questions are now of paramount importance.
The present system, including bonds, green
backs and National banks, is Republican, in
so far as that party is responsible for their
existence. They are the children Of war,
wagcd to save the Republic, and it
is probable that without them the
country would have suffered incalculable
evils, perhaps destruction. | think it is
generally believed that We never had a pa
per currency so reliable, so convenient, so
safe. There may be n better-I cannot say
but the Republican party is responsible for,
and identified with, the present system.
Frsn the fact that the Greenbackers are
meditatng the nomination Of Mr.. Barlow.
it is lair to infer that his views are accepta-
Bile to them. The Greenbackers assume that
the Republicans and Democrats are opposed
to their policy.
Now, was it honorable in Mr.. Barlow to
seek the nomination from Republicans,
hot h,u 10 Isti m
their policy?
his views? Yes; eleven years ago. How
many of the Republicans of the Third
District knew anything about them? Prob
ably not one in n hundred. Why did not
the Messenger republish them before the
Convention? There was no issue so impor-
tant. lie was urged upon US, as true Re-
publican and yet not word from him or his
friends in regard to his financial views, as
being at variance with those commonly held
by Republicans. 1t seems to me that the
manly thing to have done, was to have told
the public frankly what Mr.. BIS financial
policy was. and SO let us judge for ourselves
whether we desired to have such views
represented in Congress. Was there de-
sign surreptitiously to slip into Congress, on
the score Of personal popularity, under
a Republican guise, to promote, when
there. legislation unfriendly to known
Republican measures 1t may be
that the Republicans have changed
their views upon the most important mat
tiers now before the people. Perhaps they
arc prepared to 90 back upon the policy
that saved the credit of the nation. Per-
haps they are prepared to join hands with
their enemies Of course, under present
circumstances, Mr.. Barlow. if elected at all
must be sent to. Congress by Greenbackers
arc correct, we might not deplore such re-
suit Bot, if we are Republicans, and de-
sire Republican House, can we give coun-
tenance to movement that may result in
sending to Congress man 80 acceptable to
our opponents as Mr.. Barlow seems to be ?
The call for Republican mass convention
seems to he committed to leading Democrats
in these parts for distribution. Perhaps
there is no significance in this, but it seems
pericctly clear to some of us, that the ulti-
mate destination of the votes Of the Demo-
Gratis is for Mr. Barlow. They do not concea
their preference for him over Gen. Grout.
Republicans, does it follow that because
you were in favor of the nomination of Mr.
Barlow heforc the Convention, that now,
since another man has been fairly nominated
to whose election you have no serious Ohjec-
tons, that you should join hands with
Grcenbackcrs and Democrats to defeat him
Would it be honorable?
If you have become Democrats from con.
yiction, of course, it is right you should afiil-
late with them. If you are Republican:
still, ought you to endanger their supre'
macy? REPUBLICAN.