Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-09-27
What Il Means.

What Il Means.
To the Editor of the FREQ Press and Times.
We are surprised. The news from Maine
shocks some of us, plcases others and as
tonishes all. The result in our Third Dis
trict is everywhere met with the inquiry,
What does it mean?
An earnest canvass resulted in the nomi
nation of Gen. Grout. Mr. Barlow and his
friends accepted the result and promised
their support. Suddenly Grecnback clubs,
like toad stools grown in a night. appeared
all over franklin county. Although during
the previous canvass no use was made OF
them, Immediately after the Hydepark Con-
vention Mr. Barlow's old letters appeared
and were widely circulated. A call was
issued summonipg the disaffected to St. Al
bans to organize a Butlcr-B Barlow bolt. Mr..
Barlow received and accepted the nomina
ton Of boilers and Greenies, notwith-
standing his promise to General Grout.
We expected that Mr.. Barlow's St. AL
bans and franklin county friends would
ignore party obligations and show their de-
votion to their fayorite. Mr.. Barlow is
supposed to be rich. Wealth alone will not
secure popularity, but when rich men are
disposed to allow their neighbors to share
their property, when they are ready to help
the falling, and abound in generous deeds,
and support literally the institutions on
which the safety and welfare of society
rest. they WELD immense power over the
objects of their benefcience. When the
business men of community tremble on the
verge of bankruptcy, aud rich man
stretches out his hand to aid them. he has
such q hold, such a mortgage upon their
gratitude, that they will do almost anything
to crafty him. especially if there is added
to his munifcience an attractive personal
magnetism. They are ready to forgive and
forget what they have previously condemn
ed So strongly entrenched is Mr.. Barlow
in the grateful appreciation of his friends
that they fail to discover, in what they did
not deny, any reason for declining to follow
him out of the Republican party into the
ranks of a new political organization. that
threatens the honor of the Nation, if not its
safety.
We expected that the workers in the other
counties wcqld be faithful to their purchased
engagements We expected that General
CIRCUITS personal enemies in his own neigh |
boyiood would embrace the opportunity his
nomination offered, to vent their malicious
rage. We supposed the Ne,rs and Citisen
would exert some influence upon their sub
cribers-newsrapers always do, however
unworthy.
These various influences, we supposed, |
would result in no choice but We trusted
the statements Of Democrats that they
should mind their own business, and vote for
their own candidate. There was no disaffec-
tion among them, of which We we're aware.
They we're Satisfied with Mr.. Waterman.
We did not dream that they would
set up candidate. and then desert him and
go over to tie enemy, especially when there
was no need of it, to prevent an election.
We supposed that Democrats were particu-
larly loyal to their party. Election came,
and it appears that nearly half of the Re-
publicans voted for the Bolter and Greeny
candidate, and with them voted also nearly
half of the "unterrifed Democracy" Gen.
Grout received majority of the Republi-
cans, and Mr.. Waterman a majority of the
Democrats. Now, why did 5000 Demo
Gratis vote for Mr.. Barlow? Was it on ac-
count Of their approval of his Republican po-
sition, or was it to we're those Of the Repub-
licans who are fsithlul to their convictions ?
Had the Democrats any assurance of special
consideration at the hands of Mr.. Barlow
Did they expect him, if elected, to vote
with Democrats in the organization OF the
House? Dependent upon the support OF
minoritics of both parties, how will Mr..
Barlow show his gratitude for their support?
Will il be by voting for q Speaker, sup
ported by Republicans, Democrats. or
Grccnies On that very vote the Nations
safety and welfare may depend. The Speak
II is a great power,-to him great things are
possible What will Mr.. Barlow do? Sup
pose the next House shall undertake to Gust
Inc President, in response to Democratic and
ireeny demands, what will Mr.. Barlow do?
lie will probably decline to notice my ques-
ions, and yet no one can reasonably deny
heir pertinence.
Where are We? Is there any difference
between Republicans and Democrats,-an
inc issue? DO not events in our District,
md in Maine, reveal the fact that Republi-
ans and Democrats in about square proper
ions have released themselves from their
cspective organizations, that neither cares
straw which of the old parties shall pre-
all? Tha. they are ready to welcome any
movement on which they may possibly ride
nto power?
The American people were seldom. if ever,
onfronted by graver questions. ITO your c
ents, q Israel. - and solemnly ponder the G
question of duty Is it not time for honest 9
ncn Of all parties to combine to stay the tide
f wild, communistic insanity? What
there to keep honest men apart? Is the t
reservation OF the old party name of more s
Importance than the protection of the Ma q
Ional honor ? When government gets to r
c dishonest, that will become of the pco-
10? When the Nation, through its govern
lent, makes solemn covenant, and then
rcdKs IL, What s1creuneSS IN tnele lclt IN '
rivate engagements? If in time OF peril
be Nation, for its own salvation. borrows I
,oney. and when peace comes its creditors !,
re cheated, who will lend when danger ,
gain threatens? II there is no sacredness
ttached to obligations assumed at such v
me, why take roundabout road o
} National meanness and treachery !? n
by not enact at once that no man is under Ii
gal obligations to Jay his debts? Honest Il
len would not feel released from the duty II
doing all IN their power to meet their OBJ .
cations. und the dishonest would hurry on .
the Lake which burneth with fire and = =
rimstone." None but rascals will refuse !
, pay their honest debts, and none but a
.scalls will Intentionally put the Govern a
ent into dishonorable position toward O
: creditors. This is the question We shall c,
ave to meet. II is upon US now. What r,
iall We do? Go with the crowd? Where
the crowd going? Toward the slough of 81
epudiation? And the hell that is the Il
male Of it? Never mind the names. Re- t.
nblican, Democrat. Let the man appear, II
ho is the soul of honor, and is willing to {,
.criiice personal case and thrift to serve his u
,untry, in this the hour of his greatest IT.
,ril, and We will vote for him. 8,
An OLD REPUBLICAN. q,
VERMONT NEWS. u