The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-12-19
From the Argus and Patriot of December IL. 1881
Our Duty to Republicans.

Since the publication OF the articles In the
argus and Patriot upon Frederick Billings,
we have received letters from some OF our old
est and most respected democratic subscribers,
suggesting that 1t would have been much
shrewder, in a political sense, for US to say
nothing at present about Mr.. Billings course
10 lodging his taxes. but to Gle low" as the
saying Il, and, after Mr.. Billings nomination, to
make our charger, and let the voters say whom
they would prefer for governors tax dode
Inf" republican or an honest democrat. There
is a good deal OF force In this criticism, and 1t
is due to our old friends, as we'll as to the pub
lie generally, that we do not pass them by In
silence. II Vermont we're doubtful state,
and the Argus and Patriot circulated solely
among democrats, and our position was merely
that Of partisan political organ, it might be
that we should adopt the course suggested,
and say nothing about Mr.. Billings until after
his nomination. But Vermont ~ politically a
singular state. and the Argus and Patriot en-
JOYS patronage and support which, We be-
leve. is unique in the history Of journalism in
this country.
As to Vermont, we are sorry to say that we
are afraid that no arguments which we could
make, and no adroitness which we could en-
| poy, would prevent the success OF the republic
can ticket In his state in 1884, even with can
didate as Objectionable as Mr.. Billings would
be. Hence, even II we should adopt the course
suggested by our friends 1t would do no good.
II nominated, Mr.. Billings would be elected by
somewhat less than the usual mai ,rity; and
nominated he probably would have been. had
| It not been for the exposure which we made Of
his failure TO pay his fair proportion OF taxes.
| As to the Argus and Patriot, we believe that
we need take no time in explaining that we
are democratic to the backbone. For many
| years, in season and out Of season." we have
upheld democratic principles In this state, In
the face of powerful maj rity; and to-day
we believe a. sincerely as ever that the future
| tim md ifv Of mr. md
upon the triumph OF the principles which
| actuate us, the principles Of those immortal
statesmen-Jefferson, Jackson and Tilden. But
the constituency to which wa preach is not all
democratic. OF the nearly 900 subscribers OF
| this paper, q large percentage are epubcans.
10 the list are senators of the United States,
congressmen and ex-congress men, judges and
| ex-judges OF the supreme court, members OF
the legislature and ex-members, and many of
the most substantial and intelligent OF the gen.
tlemen who habitually vote the republican
ticket in Vermont We have no doubt that the
Argus and Patriot il read every week by thou
sands of the pick of the republican voters In
this state Our republican subscribers pat
roniza us because-to judge by what they have
told us over and over again-they know that
from US alone can they get the truth about
matters and affairs in Vermont. Every re.
publican paper 10 the state is the particular or
gan Of some little clique, which owns it and
manages 1t for their own private ends
Against no member OF its clique dare an organ
open it's mouth, no matter what may happen
We alone dare discuss questions without feal
or favor and hence the great size OF our circu
lation, more than double that of any Other
paper in the state. To these republican pat
rons of ours we have duty to perform, and
one of the chief duties Is to keep them in
formed about the aspirsnts for office In the
own party. The chiefs OF the rirg which
runs" the republican party In this state have
constituted themselves into close corporation
so far az this, that no matter what private dis
sensions they may have among themselves, M
organ OF the parry shall ever be allowed to al
lude to them No matter how much tn,
"caudron may seethe," no hint is given BY
the org ans that everything is not rs calm al
n summers sea" For these reasons a larg,
number of Republican voters have learned I,
turn to the Argus and Patriot as their source
Of information in regard TO matters within
their own party. Their desires shall be- graft
fed in the future as fully as they have been IL
the past.
Hit had not been for u., there Is little doub
but that the nomination OF Mr.. Billings for tn
governorehip would have been accomplisbe,
by regular "hnrrah boys" stimulated b,
the Rutland Herald and Burlington exchange
Now, we have no doubt whatever that he |
rs dead as door nail" thanks to our un
answerable statement of his conduct. W
have received large number Of letters iron
republicans during the past week, thanking u
for our editorials on the subject, and remark
ing that their "home papers" never woul
have dared to say word,
To sum up: the Argus and Patriot, II W
! cannot have democrats elected to Office in Vel
mont-and we are afraid we cannot in an
: great numbers for the prest nt-is determine
TO have the very best republicans elected
those who are the least under control OF TIL
, rings, and who will conduct themselves as i'm
: partially and publc.spiritedly as Is possibl
I Tor them, with their party affiliations.