The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-08-27


vote for e. J. Phelps in the coming
election. These assertions are from
Democratic sources, and probably great
ly exaggerate the truth. There may
be some personal friends of Mr.. Phelps
in this, the town Of his birth, who will
vote for him, though belonging to the
Republican party. To those who vote
for him out of personal friendship we
can say little. But it is said there are
those who are misled by desire of
manifesting their Independence" by
voting for a man whom they assume to
be superior TO the Republican candidate
in the qualities which make a useful
public man. This view of the voters
duty requires little consideration.
The "lndependent" is truly such only
as he casts his vote for the best good OF
the country. He claims freedom from
party trammcls, and with it the right
to vote for whichever candidate will
give his vote most power for securing
the objects which he deems of most i'm
portance. To him men and parties are
nothing, except as means TO carry out
certain purposes, such !, as economy
and administrative purity. But what
is there in the present situation in this
state which can lead the Independent
Republican to vote the Democratic tick
ct? The fact that Mr.. Phelps is man
of culture and learning unusual among
business men, and that he is easily the
leader of the bar in this state, is in his
favor. No one claims for Mr. Farnham
that he is superior of Mr.. Phelps in
these respects. But It is claimed for
him, and rightfully, that he is gentle
man of first-rate business ability, a
scholar, and a good lawyer. Many of
our best governors have been inferior 10
him in several respects. He is amply
qualified for the highest Office in the gift
of the people of Vermont. In this re-
spect he is fully the equal OF Mr.. Phelps,
even if he be not his superior in that
mental balance and ability to deal with
practical subjects which is the most i'm
portant qualification of business man,
which, more than anything else, the
executive or state must be. There is
certainly, as far as these personal quail
fications are concerned, as much reason
tor the Independent to support Mr..
Farnham as Mr.. Phelps. i-
There are no real state isues between
the two parties. The cry of econemy
is false Issue on the part of the Demo-
Gratis, inasmuch as the Republicans, far
more than the Democrats, are interested
In reduction of state taxation. The
executive has little to do with bringing
about reduced expenditures. The leg
islature is the body which is responsible
for that matter. and only by electing
competent and experienced business
r'en to the legislature can the desired
economy be brought about. Purity of
administration is not an issue, for no
reasonable fault has been found with
our state officers or their administration.
The only real issues between the two
parties in the state are the grand
questions which divide the party in the
nation. The question is whether Yer
monters shall record their ballots for
national supremacy, or states rights;
political and social freedom, or party
despotism and astrocism; for free and
fair ballotlfairly counted. or tissue ballot
frauds and. terrorism at the polls; for
maintaining the financial honor of the
nation unstained, or partial Reputation
for continuance of the financial policy
which has brought prosperity to the
country and subsistence TO laboring
men, or a reckless change of policy
which shall put American industries at
the mercy of European capital and pau
per labor. The unprecedented efforts
put forth by the two parties in the state
in the present campaign are not for the
purpose of deciding the election of Mr..
Farnham or Mr.. Phelps. for the craziest
Democrat has no idea but that Mr..
Farnham will be overwhelmingly
elected. Their desperate efforts are
made only for the purpose of innuen-
cling elections In other states. A simple
gain of few hundred votes is all they
are striving for; cutting down of the
Republican majority below that of past
years. The effect in the close states
Of snch an exhibition of changing pub
lie sentiment in their favor In Vermont
Is properly deemed by them an object
worth putting forth every effort to Sc
cure. For this they have put up the
man whom they deem the most lkely
10 attract votes, and for this they are
exerting ali their power.
Such being the case, cannot every
Republican see that bis vote cost for
Mr. Phelps. while 1t will not in the
least avail to elect him, will 20 simply
10 aid Democracy In the nation? Why.