Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-10-09
Senatorial Question---who Shall IL BE 2


Before the Legislature convened we noticed
we think, in Senator Morrill's Burlington
organ, the statement concerning the impend
ing Senatorial contest, that there could b,
no question but that MIR. Morrill, would bt
the choice of the members If they were lei
alone. Was this the reaoon why Mr.. Morrill,
appeared here in person and actively en-.
gagged himself In personal canvass ? Does
this also explain the presence of the largest
lobby gathered at Montpelier since the agita.
ton Of the question of the removal of the
state capitol, actively engaged in his in
terest under his own personal supervision 2
There have been some filings against Judge
Poland's ambition. Does it argue much for
the modesty of Mr.. Morrill,, that he persis-
tently asserts his claims to reelection after
having spent quarter of century in the
enjoyment of the high honor conferred upon
him by the people of vermont2 And this
especially at an age when mental powers
have already begun to wane. For no man ever
yet reached his SEVENTEEN year without hav-
ing suffered some physical deterioration or
some considerable abatement of mental force
But the question is not simply what Mr..
Morrill, is to-day. II is well to consider what
Mr. Morrill, will be six years from next
March. Call to mind men of your acquant-
ance who are seventy-sx years of age. Are
their eyes not dim Is their mental force
not abated Mr. Morrill, is not an excep-
ton to this rule-quite the reverse.
What wise man, having private scheme
of great moment, requiring for its success
full execution great mental force, great
physical energy, and whose accomplishment
must consume six years, would be likely to
intrust it to one whose years had reached the
Scriptural limito average human ife-three
score years and ten Yet no private scheme
can compare In importance with the inter-
ests to be entrusted to the man who shall
be selected to represent the state in the next
Senate.
The Republican party of the nation de-
mand of the Republicans of each state to
send to Washington their strongest man.
There will be need enough. The democrats
have already for some time had majority
in the House. They also have a majority
in the next Senate. The men who will be
useful must be men of aggressive tendencies
and combative force The Republicans will
no longer as now shape the policy of legisla-
ton. They will occupy no prominent posi-
ton upon committees. As is always the case
with minorities they must rely upon aggres-
sive action; their strength must be in a ca
pacity for ready debate, in force and CO.
gency of argument, in pluck, in daring.
Prettily written speeches will be at discount
in this new kind of warfare. Which of the
two Republican candidates for the Senate
possesses the requisites for this emergency
Mr.. Morrill, in his best days had no fitness
for this kind of work. 1t is precisely in the
line of Judge Poland's gifts. The man who
stood against the whole force of Grants
powerful administration and carried his |
party against their own will, by his power in |
debate and the cogency of his reasoning in |
the great controversy concerning Arkansas
will not be found wanting in any emergency
which may arise. He is the man who will
most honor Vermont and can most serve her
interest and that of the nation.