Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-10-28
TO THE FREEMEN OF The THIRD
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

essary by the remarkable conduct of
certain gentlemen in the District. here
tofore moving with the Republican party,
who, before the September election, in
augurated and carried forward cam
paign-the character of which | will not
stop here to discuss-but which, taken
as whole. is without parallel in the
history of the State. Among the many
extravagant things said in that canvass,
it was said, that neither the Republican
party in the Third District, nor the can
didate of that party had any political
principles. 1t was certainly unfortunate
that the Hydepark Convention did not
announce a platform of principles but
that convention was one of unexampled
excitement and activity, and the closing
scene was so unanimous, so full Of appar-
ent good feeling that in the ecstasy of
the moment it was forgotten. Had the
convention put forth platform, there is
no doubt it would have been one Of pro-
nounced Republicanism-one recognizing
alike the proud career of the party and
the high demands of the hour. 1t is
safe to say, that in it would have been
found no comfort for regulators or in
flationists-no license for socialists or
disorganizers. 1t would have declared in
favor of honest money, viz: coin
standard-the only fixed standard of the
commercial world. 1t would have coun-
selled no backward step in the work of
resumption-but would have insisted
that labor's dollar should be real dol
lar; and that that part of our currency
represented by paper should be equiva-
lent to and convertible into coin at the
option of the holder; thereby making it
secure and steady currency-regulated
by the laws of trade; and not, as some
would have it, by fuctuating majority
in Congress-subject to all those polit-
ical vicissitudes which would surely
paralyze the arm of industry and cheat
toll of its pittance. That platform would
doubtless have endorsed the effort put
forth by the present administration to
elevate and reform the civil service !;
would have declared in favor of pure,
frugal and efficient administration in
every department of the government !;
would have pleaded for free ansectarian
public schools, and for the equal civil
rights of all before the law.
Such, IN brief outline, would have
been the platform of that convention.
Such at least is my platform and if
upon that platform | cannot win, then
upon that platform l am willing to lose.
But l beg the Republicans of the Third
District to remember that this is not my
affair alone, but theirs as well; that the
issue is not in my hands, but in theirs
and that the result will depend largely
upon what they may do. and very little
upon what may do.
l know, that by convention 1 have
been charged with the custody of the
Republican standard, and have duty
to perform. 1t is in obedience to thai
duty that 1 write this letter, in orde
that all may know, that for one at least
[ shall never consent that that STANDARD
be lowered some jot or one title" to tn,
| motley flag of the opposition.
1 did not thrust myself into this cam
; paign. 1t was with reluctance that
entered it, and l should have kept GU
altogether, but l thought only of
: friendly and generous rivalry for prefer
: ence within the Republican ranks-to b
decided in the usual way, by convention
{ AS it is, l would step out now, but tn
standard is in my keeping; and like tn
. Admiral. who, in the midst of an engage
i ment signalled ship of the line to NOV
. alongside his own, and as it came nea
{ said to the Lieutenant commanding tn
Il approaching vessel: Il have taken tn
depth of the water at this point, and
60 down. it is not so deep but that tn
flag, which you see nailed to the mas
will still float above the surf. 1t
your business to stand by the flag.
So, fellow citizens, I propose
- 90 down-if 60 down must-wlt
flying colors those colors still bearir
: these inscriptions: "Honest Money
= Resumption of Specie Payments
~ Civil Service Reform!" "Free Schools
v Equal Civil Rights l''
'. Under this banner, honest men fro
- all parties can rally. If such will {
- >. their duty, l do not believe the waite
" of this unseemly contest are so deep, b
that we may still stand upon the sol
~ ground and beat back the dark wa
: that threatens to engulf US. / do n
~ believe that the hard money men Of t
Third District are so demoralized as
~ lie supinely by and surrender without
:, struggle. 1t is, however, all with ther
- and they need not be reminded that tn
:, stand in the full gaze of the whole State
" Vermont, indeed of the whole countr,
=, and that the friends of honest mon
= and honest government, everywhere, {