The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-03-26


drawal of this proposed candidate and
that proposed candidate before some awe
inspiring or blasting influence, 1t is be-
coming a pertinent inquiry If the rank
and file of the voters have any rights in
the selection of candidates, which this po-
litical power that moves in a mysterious
way its wonders to perform" is bound to
respect 1t seems to be convenient
dogma with these swift partisaus that the
abilities and qualifications of no man
should be considered unless it is first as
certained that to be, or not to be, candi
date for Office, exactly suits his individual
"wishes." In other words, to be candi-
date, is made to imply work and scheming,
decker and establishment to get within
the charmed circle, and thus make call
ing and election sure; not to be, either
lack of moral courage or satisfaction by
some other means for remuneration of
official honors and emoluments. And
still we believe that there is here and
there in history precedent, not only for
not consulting mans wishes in NAM
ing him for Office, but for thrusting him
into Office, despite his reluctance. "Wholly
against his Wishes" Cincinnatus was
taken from the pillow and made dictator of
Rome. "Wholly against his Wishes"
Washington was dragged from the cher
ished seclusion of Mount Vernon, and for
eight years endured the crucifixions of
the presidential Office. "Wholly against
his Wishes" Senator Edmunds' name is
used in the opening canvass for republi-
can candidate for the presidency, and it
is barely possible that the people of Yer
mont may yet be guilty of similar breach
of courtesy in choosing the men who shall
constitute the republican state ticket in
the coming election. If the people of
Vermont do not, at time when the ma
tion is turning to her Edmunds as a re-
buke to self-seeking candidates, stamp out
this political evil in the state, it will GER
tainly be an anomaly in the civil history
of the times.
The Messenger may be correct in saying
that 81 it would trouble THE WATCHMAN to
show that any candidate, at present in the
field, is the superior of DR.. Nichols in abil-
ity and large experience in state affairs"
We feel under no obligation or necessity
of combining our preference to "any can
didate at present in the field" DIR.
Nichols is the only man cat present in
the field" Governor Barstow's re.nom-
iuation is called for with strong reason.
Mr.. Billings name was welcomed all over
the state with spontaneity that shows
how quick the people recognize high
merit, purity and honor. The soldierly
Pingree is pushed for promotion by zeal
GUS friends. Ex-Treasurer John A Page
has his followers. The use of these names
in connection with the governorship is
"wholly against the wishes" of the indi.
viduals themselves, but, strangely enough,
people are showing growing preference
for some man who is not self-seeker.
We will not argue the question of the rela-
tive merit of these men, either in re-
spect of ability, education or experience,
or 4" trouble ourselves with a COMPARE
son between them and the Messengers
cynosure of public virtues. We will,
however, express our disinclination to
be entirely content with our contempt
rary's vague and commonplace Inscriptions
to DR.. Nichols of liability and large ex-
perience in state affairs" which peculiarly
mark him as typical candidate for the
chief executive Office. His qualifications,
as set forth by his sponsors, have been
reviewed in this paper. They were in
cisively traversed by our correspond
emit, l." Free Lance" Mansfield" Free
Choice" "Citizen and 81. c." have also
examined into the fitness and propriety
of DR.. Nichols candidacy. 1t seems to us
that it is incumbent on his organs to take
the trouble" to answer the rather dam
aging arguments which these writers
have made before throwing down further
challenges. If the purpose of THE
WATcHMAN is not yet clear to the misty
vision of our contemporary, time will clear
it up, and in the light of coming events it
may discover that there is such thing as
principle in state politics. The effrontery
of the organs of a political combination
may simplify the coming issue very much
indeed. The question may be narrowed
down by circumstances to considerations
in which free choice may be the car
dinal principle. Emancipation from pc
litical organization which seeks to over.
awe opposition. which, uniting its forces,
throws for each individual member of the
junto the strength of the whole, may
become the first and the controlling con-
sideration in the coming canvass.
Honor TO Whom Honor.
r l. Il % O.