The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-04-30

the people. Obedience to law is an essential
quality for every candidate for Office And
further, II should be required OF every candi-
date that he has led an incorrupt and useful
life. Let me emphasize and illustrate this re-
quirement. It Is often said, In behalf Of bet
ter public service, that we must call TO the SER
vice men Of brains. So we must, and men who
rightly use their brains. Vermonters gener-
ally approved the retirement OF Senator Conk-
ling, and equally are they enthusiastic for the
advancement OF Senator Edmunds. Both are
men of eminent ability. Between them the
question does not respect the possession, but
the use, OF intellectual and moral force. What
have they done with their brains? is the ques-
tion. The one senator used his to promote
the welfare OF the whole country, the other
used his to control the patronage and the poll
tics of his state. The one we would advance
to higher position, the other we rejoice to
see retired to private life. In selecting men to
represent the state and county and town we
need seek for moral rectitude and strength.
Herdsgrass and red-top do not show the bright
colors Of the daisy and the buttercup but they
are more useful. Sound judgment, with in
tegrity, is better than brilliancy. Wasteful
expenditures for public junketings and un-
profitable railroads are nowhere originated
or carried through legislatures or town meet
ings by idiots The most shameful political
canvass Vermont ever knew was carried on,
and carried, by one OF her able men. Moral
the office-holder. And the office-holder should
have some familiarity with questions Of public
policy. A just apportionment OF taxation, an
economical and efficient administration of JUS
tice, the advancement OF temperance, such i'm.
proved methods OF supporting our schools and
highways as will bring better results for the
effort and money applied, are among the
things to be sought for and the admitted can
didate should be man who has busted his
thinking faculty with these and like subjects
Skill and efficiency in running the caucus, Of
even In the management Of ones private bust
ness, are not enough. Has the candidate 80 uset
his brains as to have intelligent opinions con
cerning the high interests of this generation ant
| the next? Is question to be answered in thu
| affirmative. Has he an open mind to hear ant
| wisely weigh argument on all sides Of sucl
| high questions? is an interrogatory to be an
swered affirmatively concerning every admitted
| candidate. And the way to secure and t,
elect such candidates Is for men who appre
cate such qualities to refuse to support candi
dates OF doubtful character Such refusal ma.
break party states or bring defeat to the part,
Of ones choice. Then let party go. goo'
| Providence Is not likely to choose bad or doubt
| full men to save a nation. On the side o
righteousness men are right and safe. Tha
| the man who represents me in the governor
| chair or In the legislature be man OF sense, @
stout integrity, and an active friend OF all res
progress, Is a matter of great importance
| whether he be republican or a democrat Is Q
no more conse quence than whether he be
Methodist or Baptist. have followed tn
course Of THE WATCBMAN for some month
past with constantly increasing interest, an
hope that in the courage OF its convictions
will go forward and prosper. &C.