Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-05-31

That Mr.. Hendee's dcclinature has unset
tied the expectations of large portion of the
Republicans in this District, who had rested
in the belief that his reelection would dis
pose of all the troublesome problems, is suf-
fcently plain. Some Of these at once trans
ferred their support to one or another of the
other candidates. Many, especially in Chit
tenden and Lamoille counties, are asking,
"What is best to be dOne?" With a candi-
date as pertinacious. active and well-furnish-
ed with the means to secure adherents as Mr..
Barlow, it would seem to be clearly the part
Of prudence to unite, il possible, all the ele-
ments of opposition to him on one candidate.
Should he 20 into the Convention as strong
ly backed by his own county as he expects to
be, and with more or less help from other
counties, t. divide the opposition to him on
three 0. four candidates would ordinarily be
unwise tactics.
1t has seemed t. u7. therefore
and We remain OF that opinion that,
in order not to inyi.e defeat, the opposition
to Mr.. BarlOw-and it is very wide. numer-
Gus, and respectable opposition-should con-
centrate on the leading candidate VINO rep
resents their views. That candidate is plainly
General ". ". Grout, of Barton. lie is
sure to 20 into the Convention backed by
two counties-whch Is more than can be
said for airy other man. lie will have a
majority, We think, of Lamoille county;
and but one thing will prevent his having,
at the start, the support of majority of this
county-that is the feeling, which has been
growing in the minds Of many Chittenden
county Republicans and is quite too strong
to he overlooked, that this county should
present candidate in the Convention. We
have as COOL material, these say. for Con-
gressmen as any county in the District.
The county has not had member since
George 2. Marsh. thirty years ago. Mr..
Edmunds belongs TO the nation, or at least
to the State at large, and not to any one
town or county; and the fact that
he once lived here should not close
the field To all worthy men who
happen t. live in Cnittenden county
All this Is true. We believe fully in the
theory Of selecting the best man for the
place, irrespective OF locality, and only wish
that it wa' always practicable 50 to do.
That We have men here who would adorn
the Office, is beyond question. Hon. Daniel
Roberts, Of this city, has abilities, acquire
ments and personal character fully equal to
the position. lie is Il man OF ideas, OF
cultivated mind, graz ,Gul AMI finished
speaker. a trde and earnest Republican, a
man Of pura and established character The
District might well congratulate itself ON
being representa- 10y 20 able and 80 good a
man. General John l.. Blrstow would rep
resent Us with high credit, and has ele-
ment' Of personal popularity which would
make Lin very available candidate. lie
has, however, strongly discouraged all use OF
his Iame in thi, connection, and we allude
to hi II really in violation OF his wishes but
we have the right at least to say TINT, know
ing him well, we believe he would make
an able, upright, faithful and inhuen-
tial Congressman. The list might easily
be extended. At present, however, it
cannot be sal that Chittenden county
has any candidItc in the field
Whether it will have, !. more than We can
say. But, at any rate, let the square, hon
est and true Republicans of Chittenden
county. and of the District, sec to it, that
they are represented at the Convention by
men Of their own stamp-men who cannot
be bribed or persuaded to tn support OF any
unworthy candidate, IL the Republican
masses sill attend the caucu-c, and look
carefully to the choice Of delegates, and thus
see to it that thoS arc truly represented IN
the Convention, there need lie no fear that it
will not present an honest man, with Il rec
ord free from u-picion, anl character en-
titling him t. the conf ienco and support Of
all honest men.