Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-04-26

| As IT APPEARS TO SECRETARY SHERMAN.
The following letter from Secretary Sher-
man was read at meeting of Republica n
members of the Ohio legislature, Wednes-
day evening
Washington, April Is, lS7S.-Dear Sir
Your circular letter of April was duly re-
ceived. My official engagements will not
| permit me TO attend the meeting you pro-
pose to hold, and it would be better that. as
an officer of the government of the United
States, should not personally participate
in the direction of the campaign. | feel
deeply interested in the election of 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
hitherto has in the main been in the van
guard Of our political contests, and ought now
to be true to the principles and convictions
which gave to our State so much honor
during the war.
Upon two or three things We certainly
ought to agree. This is Republican Ad-
UlnlslTdtlOU ut fEtsiutHt was tleCteu "
the Republicans. lie has been faithful and
true to the pledges made by the party in
the convention that nominated him, and he
represents the aspirations and hopes of the
best elements OF our party. Some complaint
has been made as to the distribution Of
Offices and as to the interference Of officers in
elections !; but surely such complaints should
not come from the people upon whom prop
erly devolves the conduct of all political
movements, free from ofhcious interference
by federal officers. With very rare eIcep-
tions, founded upon local or special reasons,
Republicans have been nominated to Offices,
and official duty has been faithfully and well
performed, a. much so as during any period
of our history. 1t is true, also, that the
policy of Cancellation to tho 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 ascendancy
of the Republican party in several Of the
Southern States.
Upon the financial question We certainly
have done what We promised to do. We
have faithfully executed the law providing
for the resumption of specie payments; and
the equality Of gold and silver and paper
money is now so near that it would be the
height of madness to recede to the uncer-
tainty and perils Of inconvertible paper
money. The law-so much decried and so
much misunderstood worked its way to
successful execution, and in little while,
confidence being restored, all forms Of money
will contribute to promote the revival of in
du.try.
tn. only threat that endangers the public
peace and safety, is the restoration of the
Democratic party to power. Embittered by
being out Of power, composed largely Of ele-
ments that warred against the government,
and having no sympathy with the measures
that now are in course Of successful execu
ton, and from the nature of their position
interested in policy as to Southern claims,
which would impoverlsh the treasury and
arouse anew all the bitterness of sectional
strife, cannot but regard its restoration 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 patron
age and official interference in elections.
Very truly yours. JOHN SHERMAN,
To Gen. j. S. Robinson, Chairman. ETC.,
Columbus, Ohio.