Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-09-02
Senator Edmunds ON National Polite,

SGhANOE DM nNAuUAbA II
Senator Edmunds was invited by the Mass.
achusetts Republicans to address them at
their approaching state convention. Mr. Ed
munds felt compelled to decline the invita-
ton, and in doing so sent the following letter,
briefly outlining the work which the Republi-
can party should take up. This letter, it is
unnecessary to say, has received the warm
commendation of the leading papers of the
country
Dear Sir: l have received yours OF the 10th inst.
am sincerely sorry that cannot properly, have the
pleasure Of accepting the very gratifying invitation Of
the Republican state central committee Of Massachu-
sets TO attend and address the convention at worces-
ter the 2lst proT My Ill health in the spring led
to devote the summer to its restoration by appeal
ing to the forest and the sky (as have with
and by complete abstenton from public speaking. SO
have hitherto declined several invitations to'speak-
two Of them for the very day of your meeting
l cannot, therefore, fairly make an exception now,
tempting as the occasion Is. Could do so, should
be happy to visit Worcester and meet the representa-
tves OF the Republicans Of Massachusetts, who, not
long ago, did me great, undeserved, and very much
undesired, honor. To those who have faith in repub
hVan BoNeIheutt eNSly NuL " euy PoieiS
party is matter of interest. The character, indie
pendeuce aud courage of its members a valuable
index Of the progress Of the people who have chosen
them; and comparison Of the makeup Of the con-
ventons Of the different parties will usually throw
light political tendencies quite significant as the
declarations Of platforms The history Of your con-
yention shows that your political faith has come down
in living stream from the times Of Samuel Adams
and John Hancock, and like all great truths it can be
applied to the affairs of to-day conveniently and
justly as to those of q century ago.
The contest for the practical supremacy Of prin-
cipes is that in the nature Of things rarely ends,
for in some form other the safety of equal rights
equal in benefit and equal in burdens always mem
aced. Some Of the immediate measures for these final
objects Of good government think. ought to be- To
preserve and improve the laws for the security Of
onal civil rights to make as effective possible pro-
visions for the purity and fairness Of congressional
elections to establish by law the methods of
tanning the result of presidential elections to
give the conclusive effect the constitution demands to
the action OF each state and to prevent the exercise
by the houses Of Congress OF anything in the nature
of appellate revsory power the action Of the
constituted authority Of the state in such case; to
so improve the civil service to diminish, and, II
possible, remove, the evils of place hunting and the
interchange of favors between the members of the
legislative and executive branches Of the government
and to free the tenure Of great number OF Offices
from dependence upon political favor political opin
ion to reAdjust the revenue laws upon the basis of
producing the greatest revenue with the least and
nearesequal burden to the people, and of developing
and encouraging the industrial pursuits Of every call
ing of citizens to bring both the theory and the
practice of the government in regard to the currency
to the point of fixed and uniform metallic standard
Of values and making coin only legal tender in the
payment Of debs and TO promote, so far as the ma
tional government lawfully do the increase and
diffusion OF education among all citizens and in every
part Of the republic. Surely If am right in these
views there is occupation enough for grand party
to induce to drop all internal rivaries and dissen-
sions wherever they may exist and to strive in unity
and with ZEAL for the success that am confident will
achusets will do their full share in this good work
Very respectfully yours, GEO. +. EDMUNDS.
CHARLES A. SCOTT, Chairman MASSACHUSETTS, Repub-
/ licdn State Central Committee, LOtDell, Mass.