Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-04-16

1t was to be expected that Gen Grant, or
any other prominent candidate whose merits
might be discussed, would meet with op-
position in Massachusetts. and, indeed,
everywhere else. There is at least an equal
ly strong sentiment of opposition in that
State to Senator Blaine and Secretary Sher-
man. Why not include them in the exclud-
ed list, or even extend it until there should
be TO one left bu, the favorite of the special
advisers of the Republican party? What
has Gen. Grant done against the United
States or the Republican party that he alone
is to be branded as one whose merits and
claims are not even 10 he considered?
The address docs not leave us wholly in
the dark on this poirt. lie has served the
country already for two terms, and such
men as Judge lloar and Mr.. Parkman stoop
so low for an argument as to put this forth
as the main reason for not trusting him
again, and to repeat the twaddle about
the example of Washington and the rest.
1t would not amaze lis if Tie people of the
country were To rise up to vindica.e their
own independence and get rid of the pre-
tended restriction upon their liberty of
choice, by choosing the ey-President for
this, II for no other reason. The argument
based upon this precedent. which is no way
precedent except that it happens to be n
historical fact, is an insult to their intcli-
gcnce. The fortunes of this man or that
man ought net to be set against the present
or future Interests of our country" quoth
the self-constiiuted Board of Advisers.
Who cares for the fortunes of this man or
that man as such, and why does the state
ment apply more to one man than another?
II any man is exceptional, it is his character
and qualifications that make him 50 and if
hIl IYtt
against him, why, then, character and quail
lications are to he got rid Of A consider
able body of Republicans" we are told, are
dissatisfied with some of his methods and
affiliations in the past. Show us somebody
who has done anything and has satisfied
everybody. Again, it is said, the canvass
would turn upon defence of his measures
and his methods, instead of turning upon
the eyigent issues of the day." but if any
one fact is plain, it is that the exigent issues
of the day are the one thing that suggested
the proposed nomination. The signers of
the address speak of the effort ''to force the
nomination of the ey-President whereas ii
has thus far forced itself against no little
resistance, and is the only one thought of
that has in no sense been worked up. Ii
may or may not be wise or expcdient; that
is for the National Convention to consider.
but us opponents are WOnuerluily poor IN
argument and unfortunate in the use of
logic and when they set out to secure har-
mony in the party by antagonizing in ad-
vance the choice of its largest section, they
simply stultify themselves.-N. y. Times.
The last of the 350, 900 shares held by the
New York Central railroad syndicate has
been disposed Of, the demand being
SO great that subscribers could get but
50 per cent. of the amount they de-
sired. Il is said that the Gould clique
hold the entire $50. 900 shares, and that
Gould and Dillon will be made direct
ors Of the Central railroad at the II xt cleo
tion in June. 1t is furthermore stated that
Vanderbilt is working in harmony with
Gould in carrying out the lailer's idea Of a
grand railroad monopoly between the At
aniic and the Pacific. Vanderbilt invested
$50, ,OO0. 900 in government four per cents,
all ef which a. L.ii.vsd to i...s bs... derived
from recent sales of Central stocks. As he
has disposed of but about one-thrd of the
whole amount of the Central stock, all of
which has been hitherto held by himself and
his friends and assistants. an approximate
idea of his enormous wealth NAV be formed