Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-11-02


Next Tuesday will bring to an end the
hottest and most excited political campaign
which has ever been fought in the old Bay
State. The contest is a peculiar one and en-
tirely unlike any which it is easy to recall in
recent years. 1t does notturn on local, national,
or any well-defned political issues. 1t is sim
ply a struggle between "Butlerism," with all
that that term implies, on the one hand, and
the self-respecting, law-ebiding element Of
the proud old state Of Massachusetts, on the
other. What the issue Of the canvass will be
it ought not to be difficult to foretell While
Butler has brought all his forces into the
field and waged battle after all the vicious
methods which are so conspicuously peculiar
to himself the Republicans have met him
with a campaign so brilliant 80 effective so
thoroughly in earnest as leaves no room for
criticism. Few men in our history have ever
made a better fight in the political field, or
appeared to better advantage in the making
of it, than has Congressman Robinson at the
head of the Republican ticket. Harper's
Weekly admirably oharacterizes Mr.. Robin
son and the effect he has produced on the
stump when it says in its current issue that
from the moment of his public acceptance of
the nomination, which he did not seek, but
which sought him, he has steadily grown in
public favor, because of his manly bearing
his frankness and ghtforwardness, the
character of his public utterances, and the
cleanness and strength of his record. He has
been speaking nightly, sometimes thrice day,
and his speeches have been most effective.
He has met every issue brought into the can.
yass by the Butler party, disclosed the hum
bug and scandal of the Butler administration,
and shown the utter worthlessness of the
claim of the Governor that he has reformed
abuses, checked extravaganza, and exposed
| corruption. He has also displayed both the
| pluck and ability to meet the Governor on his
| own ground, and expose his demagogism as
fast as he exhibits it. He is strong in an ar
| gument, quick at retort and match for But
| Ter on the stump but the contrast between
them is sharp, for the former maintains the
attitude of gentleman and does not descend
to Misrepresentation, personal abuse, vulgari.
ty, and blackguardism to make his points.
As we have said, tho issue of such a cam.
/ paign ought not to be doubtful and we have
great faith to believe that under the stout and
well directed effort which men of the better
class in all Republicans, Democrats
and Independents-are making, Massachu
sets will redeem herself from the mistake in
to which she allowed herself to fall a yeai
ago. But at the same time il must be remem
bered that the fight which Butler is max
ing is desperate one. With him it is mat
ter of political life or death Defeat now
means the end of all hope of political pre-
ferment for him, and he will leave no stont
unturned and no money unspent to secure bit
triumph. He is posing and working fo
national effect and it is virtually acknowledg
ed by him and his followers that if he il
elected he will make push for Presiden
tial nomination next year. If he is defeated
he will become by.word and a laughing
stock for the country so far as any hope o
future advancement is concerned. For our
selves we cannot help believing that tn,
awakening and uprising in Massachusett
means something, and that next Wednesda,
morning the old commonwealth will rise NJ
and take long full breath in happy con
seriousness that she has shaken herself FIRE
from the clutch of an unclesn thing and ha
made herself once more worthy of the day
and the deeds of Andrew, Sumner, and a lonl
line of patriotic names If the reverse hap
pens it will lend color to the idea advanced b,
President Seelye of Amherst college in re
cent article in which be holds that Butler
ism is manifestation of deep-seated dis
ease which has laid hold of our body politi
evidences of which be finds in the fact tina
Buffers strength seems to come from hi
boundless effrontery, his INSCRIPTIONS audac
ity and general politcsl immortality, and no
in spite of them