Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-08-23

order to protect his interests as great
mail contractor. There stands the testimony,
uncontradicted to-day.
Was il falsehond tn say that Mr. Barlow

oruer 10 protect his interests as d gfeat
mail contractor. There stands the testimony,
uncontradicted to-day.
Was it falsehood to say that Mr.. Barlow
was in close relations with the Democrats,
and would have their help. which, Of course,
he must reward in future? The whole
course of the campaign has but brought into
clearer view Mr.. Barlow's affiliations with
the Democracy. There are indeed honest and
worthy Democrats who know him we'll, and
who would not support him under any cir
cumstances; but they are the exceptions and
not the rule If Mr. Barlow could possibly
be elected BY the aid of the Democratic vote
in this District in September, he would have
that vote almost entire. Plenty Of Democrats
make no secret of their hope-a vain hope,
it is true,-that there will be no election in
September, and of their purpose to vote for
Barlow the next time, if another opportunity
is offered.
Was it falsehooi and calumny to say that
Mr.. Barlow was running money-canvass ?
We never said or thought that all OF MIR.
Barlow's support was purchased, OF all his
supporters prrchasable-iar from it; but we
charged that Mr. Barlow was making very
free use Of money; and we are willing to
submit to the intelligent voters Of the Dis
trict how far the history of the campaign has
verified this charge. The people in each
town in the District know how it was in
their own locality-what sudden conversions
took place; what help in votes and influence
was secured 10 other ways than by honest
argument, AMI to which side the purchasable
material, if there was any, went. 1t is
worth noting that the best claim Of Mr..
Barlow's defenders on this point IS that
there was corruption on both sides. They
arc entitled to speak only for their own side.
was any corrupt use of money in his behalf,
or any use of money on his part, e1-
ccpt in conveying information to the
public in legitimate and proper way. They
have challenged, in vain, proof of any votes
bought or attempted to be bought in his
behalf challenge which, tits somewhat
significant to see, is not offered from the
other side.
Was it falsehood to say that Mr.. Barlow
showed himself unworthy to represent the
District, when he showed himself capable Of
coming to Burlington to manage his own
| canvass in our city and of spending week
here, with headquarters at both hotels,
with carriages in waiting, with Democrats
and Republicans as ushers, with agents con-
stautly on the streets. himself personally
soliciting votes, and asking men who could
not support him at least not to fight him, and
in person connecting and experimenting
plans to rush Barlow ticket through our
caucus? Certainly no such sight as that
was ever seen here before. Was or was it
not seen here during the first week in July ?
During the period Of determination and
harmony at Hydepark, after the adjournment
of the Convention, when Mr.. Barlow and his
friends had accepted the result, and while
they had no idea that they were the abused
mortals they have since been told they were,
some of his most active St. Adams supper
tiers freely admitted to Gen. CIRCUITS friends
that Mr.. Barlow had killed himself BY in
judicious methods, by too free use of money.
by taking into his service agents and helpers
who were only load upon him and BY his
personal presence and attempt to run the
Burlington caucus and the canvass preceding
it in this city.
Such were the chief charges against Mr..
Barlow-were they or were they not false
hoods and calumnies? These things damaged
Mr.. Barlow because they were rereldtions
of character. And now. while they are con-
firmed, what additional revelations have the
past three weeks added? Have they not
shown that Mr. Barlow was even less worthy
OF confidence that he had been believed to
be? lie was believed to be frank man,
whose word. when he passed it. could be re-
lied on, by many who could not support him.
But of what value Is his pledge to-day
What became of his manly acceptance Of the
decision Of the District? Who knows that
he will not take back his word, in any
case, as easily as he gave it, or violate it be-
| fore he takes it back ?
The canvass has been melancholy one in
its revelations, for Mr.. Barlow; and it is the
| truth that has hurt him.