Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-04-24
Good Advice 10 Republicans.

Secretary Sherman has just written let
ter to the Republican state committee OF
Ohio, wherein he declines to attend their
state convention on the ground that it is UNI
seemly for an officer of the government to
participate in conducting a political cam
paign, but in which he gives some excellent
and timely advice, which might well be
needed by Republicans in other states. lie
says feel deeply interested in the next
House of Representatives, in the hope it may
gain majority of those who agree with us
in opinion, 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 hith-
erto has in the main been in the vanguard
of our political contests, and ought now to
be true to the principles and convictions
which gave to our state so much honor dur
ing the war.
UPON two or three things we certainly
ought to agree. This is Republican adj
ministration. The President was elected by
the Republicans. lie has been faithful and
true to the pledges made by the party in the
convention that nominated him, and he rep
resents the aspirations and hopes of the best
elements of our party. Some complaint has
been made as to the distribution of offices
and to the interference of officers in cleo
tions but surely such complaints should not
come from the people, upon whom properly
devolves the conduct of all political move
ments, free from oflicious interference by
federal officers. With very rare exceptions,
founded upon local or special reasons, Re
publicans have been nominated to offices,
and official duty has been faithfully and well
performed as much so as during any period
OF our history. 1t is true, also, that the
policy of Cancellation to the South, from the
highest motives of public good, has resulted
in quiet, peace and order, and-as believe
will in due time result in the ascendency
of the Republican party in several Of the
Southern states.
Upon the financial question we certainly
have done what we have promised to do
We have faithfully executed the law provid-
ing for the resumption of specie payments ;
aud the equality of gold and silver and
paper money is now so near that it would
be the hight OF madness to recede to the
uncertainty and perils of inconvertible
paper money. The law--so much decried
and so much MISUNDERSTANDING worked
its way to successful execution, and in a
| little while, confidence being restored, all
forms of money will contribute to promote
the revival of industry.
The only threat that endangers the pub
lie peace and safety is the restoration of
the democratic party to power. Embittered
by being out of power; composed largely of
elements that warred against the govern
ment, and having no sympathy with the
measures that now are in course of success
full execution, and from the nature of their
position interested in policy as to southern
claims which would impoverish the treasury
and arouse anew all the bitterness of sec
tional strife cannot but regard its restora-
tiou to power as the only danger that really
threatens our public peace and safety. 1t is
far better that we should meet and resist
this danger than to quarrel among ourselves
about the smaller questions of official pat
ronage and official interference in elections.