Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-10-25

To the Freemen Of the Third Congressional
District
Your attention has been directed by the
Governors proclamation to the choice, on
the 5th Of November next, of person to
represent you in Congress. This unusual
proceeding has been made necessary by the
remarkable conduct of certain gentlemen IN
the District. heretofore moving with the
Republican party, who, before the Septem-
Der election. inaugurated and carried for
ward q campaign-tbe character OF which
| will no: stop here TO discuss-out which,
taken as Q ho.e, Is withou. parallel IN the
history of the State. Among the many eI-
travasant thirgs said in that CANVASS, it
was said that neither the Republican party
in the Third District, nor the candidate OF
that party had any political principles. 1t
was certainly unfortunate that the Hyde
park CONVENTION did not announce a plat
furin Of principles; but that Convention
was one of unexamplSd excitement
and activity, and tho closing scene
was so unanimous, 50 .pll OF afPar-
| ent good feeling, that in the ecstasy oil
the moment it was forgotten Had the Con-
yenti0n put forth Il platform, there is no
doubt it would hsve been one OF pronounc-
ed Republicauism-une recognizing alike
the proud career of the party and the high
demands of this hour. IL is sale TO say that
| in it would have been found no comfort for
regulators or iufitionists-no license Tor
socialists or di-arganZcrs. Ii would have
declared in favor Of bouest money, VIZ
| coin standard--thu only fixed standard OF
the commercial world. 1t would have coun-
selled no backward step in the work oil re-
sumption but would have insisted that Ia
boris dollar should be real dollar, and that
that part of our currency represented by pa
per should DO equivalent to and convertible
into coin at the option of the holder. there
| by making it secure and steady currency
| Regulated by the laws of trade, and not, as
some would have it, By tuctuating major
ity in Congress, subject to all those politi-
cal vicissitudes which would surely
paraly-e tae arm of industry and cheat toll
of its pittance. That platform would doubt
less have endorsed the cffoIt put forth by
the present administration to elevate and
reform the civil service; would have de-
clsred in favor Of pure. frugal and efficient
administration in every department of the
government; would hare pleaded for free,
unsectarian public schools. and for the
equal civil rights of all before the law.
-, lar hra
the platform of tina: convention. Such at
least is my platform and II upon that
platform cannot win, then upon that plat
form am willing to lose. But | beg the
Republicans ;! the Third District to remem-
Der that this is not my affair alone, but
theirs as we'll that the issue Is not in my
hands, bnt in theirs; and that the result
will depend largely upon what they may do,
and very little upon what may do.
know that by convention | have been
charged with the custody of the Republican
standard. and have duty to perform. 1t Is
in obedience to that duty that write this
letter, IN order that all may know that, Tor
one at least, shall never consent that that
standard be lowered lone jot or one title
to the motley flag Of the opposition.
did not thrust myself into this cam
psigu. |, was with reluctance that | enter
cd it, and should have kept out altogether,
but thought only Of friendly and gener-
Gus rivalry for preference within the Re-
publican ranks-to be decided in the usual
wav, BY conventions. As it is, | would
step out how, but the standard is in my
keeping and like the Admiral, who, in the
midst of an engagement signalled ship of
the line to move alongside his own, and as
it came near said to the Lieutenant COM
msndiug the approaching vessel: 81 have
taken the depth of the water ct this point,
and if 60 down, it is no. so deep but that
the dag. which you sec nailed to the mast.
will still float above the surf. 1t Is your
business to stand by the flag. $50 fellow
citizens, | propose to 60 down-it go
down must-with flying colors; those
colors still bearing these Inscriptions
"4onest Money! - Resumption of Specie
Payments !" "Ciyil Service Reform '''"Free
Schools Equal Civil Rights!1
Under this banner. honest men from all
parties can rally. II such will do their
duty, do not believe the waters Of this
unseemly contest are SO deep, but that we
may still stand upon the solid ground and
beat back the dark wave that threatens to
euguli US. | do not believe that the hard
money men of the Third District are so de
moralized as to lie supiney by and surren-
der without a struggle. 1t il, however. all
with then and they need not be reminded
that they stand in the lull gaze Of the whole
State of Vermont. indeed Of the whole
country and thar the friends of honest
money and honest government, everywhere.
expect that on the 9Th Of November next
every man in the Third District will DO his
duty. This done, and all will be well.
am, fellow citizens,
Hopefully and faithfully,
Your obedIsnt servant,
WILLIAM w. GRouT.