Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-08-06
Gov. Phelps.

To the Editor of the Free Press and Times:
You editors are queer fellows. You eulog-
ize the Democratic candidate for Governor
TO the skies. had supposed that the Repub-
licans Of Vermont had eminent men in the
legal profession, but it seems they are all of
them below Mr.. Phelps. You seem to lament
that such prodigy is not a Republican, so
so that the country might have the benefit of
his immense abilities. lou say that no fault
can be found with the nomination on the
score of personal character and fitness" 1t
occurs 10 me TO inquire what is the standard
of character and fitness" which you politi-
clans set up2 After giving Mr.. Phelps so
exalted II character rs almost to make us
blush at the thought of voting against him,
You give lis his speech. in which, among
other things he says, alluding to the parties,
The one is national, the other sectional
party Is that true If so, woe be to the
other" Are you prepared to acknowledge
that the Republican party is Il sectional
party :" If not. is it because you have not
reached that altitude of learning and ability
that alone would enable YOU to make such 4
discovery? If what Mr. Phelps AYERS is
net true, is no fault to be found with the
personal character and fitness of man
who can publicly make such statement?
I'VE, gentlemen, belong to a party which is
not afraid to show its head in every State
Indeed, why not: VIII MIR. Phelps tell
Again: The Republican party has one
distinguishing principlc-that is hostility to
the Southern half of the people. With
them it is the eternal negro first, last and all
the time: and they are rallying once more
to carry on the war against the South" Is
that true, If Mr. Phelps does not knon
better, what must we think of his intelligence?
If he does, what may We think of his honesty?
Or does not honesty and truthfulness consti-
tute anv part of a personal character inyour
estimation: And so the Republicans must
proclaim the gospel of eternal hate, etc
Can Il man Of intelligence and personal puri-
~ make such statement without 4 Iebuke
from the FREE Press? Is not a politician
standing, rs you affirm, at the head OF the
Vermont Bar, under obligations of candor
and truthfulness? What Il pity that Mr..
Phelps is not Republican,
Again But what is this race that it
is proposed TO put in the place of God
Almighty, above the Anglo-Saxon race 2"
venture the opinion that if Mr.. Phelps
VIII come over 10 lllc ilcpubHciu rdnhs, ne
will be the next Governor. Vermont Re
publicans have such Il scarcity of timber in
their ranks that Il Democrat need only ven
ture a peep in his shell and our party will
Immediately put him at the head. do not
know as trulhfulncss candor and honesty
have ANYTHING 10 do in constituting Fitness"
or character" but if Mr. Phelps, in his
charges against the Republicans had violated
no moral obligations. we all ought to be
Democrats. confess disappointment. had
supposed that Mr. Phelps occupied too high
Il position to descend to the depths of the
political mud machine and work the handles
himself.
lie Must kaor that his talk is mere
partisan abuse. had supposed that really
honorable man could not intentionally mis-
represent even hisencmics. Nothing bcttercan
be expected from the common run OF groggy
politicians, but really honest and high
minded gentleman must feel that he ought to
be- honest and truthful whether he speaks oi
his own or other people. Just persuade Re
publlcans that such representations of them rs
are made hy Mr.. Phelps do not dctract from
the character of an honest man. and one of
eminent fitness" for office, and You furnish
one of the best of arguments why We should
all vote for him.
1t is hardly sufficient apology that Alr.
Phelps undoubtedly is looking for something
higher than the candidacy ior Governor of
Vermont. .. u. w