The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-02-20
A Vigorous Voice from the People.

The course of The WAToHMAN with
respect to the governor question has called
out many commendatory words and let
ters from different sections of the state.
Some of these have been published, and
below we give some extracts from per-
sonal letter by well.known citizen of the
state. The letter was not intended for
publication. The writer is no "sore-
head" nor, it is hardly necessary to say,
is he identified with any political clique
or ring, or the instrument of any inAu-
ence. He stands very near the people,
and is one of those men who is more
anxious for the prosperity and good fame
of the state than for the advancement of the
personal interests or ambitions of any in
dividual citizen. The writer says
"I believe a very large majority of the re-
publicans, and OF the people generally In this
part Of the state, greatly respect and admire
Mr.. Billings, and would rejoice exceedingly to
see him chosen governor. And their action
will be In harmony with this sentiment, 80 far
as they may be permitted to act, without ring
interference. But you are well aware that we
have some active men among US who make
politics and political management trade, who
are thoroughly identified with, and will surely
do the bidding Of, the wel-organized and COM
pact ring that has dominated so long in our
state politics and brought upon us land will
perpetuate, II 1t CAM the era Of little men and
little things, insomuch that the good name and
fame Of the state has been seriously COM
promised, and many good men, despairing Of
better things, are sorely tempted to withdraw
ira1 iatin xybf oh m
exceedingly dstastefu, to say the least, IL not
absolutely communicating And l believe the
great mass Of the people throughout the state
as well as In this county, are absolutely
nauseated with this state of things, and are
ready and waiting to seize the first practicable
opportunity to emancipate themselves from It,
Let the issue be but fairly and sharply made
between the ring on the one hand and the peo-
pie on the other, and the ring will go to the
wall with a velocity and force that will crush
the life out Of it. To accomplish this we need,
and can find, no better leader than Mr.. Billings.
He stands, in his own personality for just
what and all we want, and for just the oppo-
site, in respect to capacity, education, breadth
and varied accomplishments, of what ring rule
has usually given, or is likely to give. .
But IL the worst should come, and he should
still refuse to yield, even then there should be
no thought of abandoning the good fight, for
which | verify believe the people are ripe.
Some other man, who stands as nearly as pos
sible for what Mr.. Billings stands, must be
found-I say found, because, while we have
many men possessing brains, character, Gull
ture, experience and breadth, they also have
sef-respect, and 30 are seldom self-seekers and
never thrust themselves upon the public. II
they are wanted, they must be called for. .
The much-needed reform, of which he is a rec
ognized exponent, ought not to be abandoned,
nor even for moment lost sight of. 1t ought
to have, and, in my opinion, it has, more
vigorous vitality than to depend upon any one
man, or any dozen men, for the breath of life.
If not, then we are struggling in vain, and
shall deservedly fall an easy prey to our old
time masters | agree with you, that neither
Nichols nor Pingree comes anywhere near fill
ing the bill of qualifications required in such a
governor as the state should have. Only draw
| the line squarely and plainly, so the people
can see it, and not a county in the state, in my
firm belief, will again succumb to ring-rule.
The people are thoroughly Disguised with the
| whole business, and only wait for fair chance
to smash the machine, with all that 1t implies.
| At the outset very much will depend upon the
| vigor of the press in boldly preaching true
political gospel. II the independent papers
| will but have the courage Of their convictions
and speak right out in meeting they will
place themselves at the head of vast process
| sion OF the people Of the state, moving with nc
| funereal tread, but in triumphant march, tC
| political emancipation, redemption and regen'
Grafton"