Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-10-03
Another Democratic SETBACK.

In August last the New York Evening Post
published challenge from Sterne Ohittenden,
a lawyer of that city, in which he offered
SO, 600 to Yale college or the Republican
national committee If William Walter Phelps
would make an answer to the charges respect
ing the Little Rock securities which ex.Presi-
dent Woolsey would pronounce not discredit-
able to Mr.. Blaine. The Post welcomed the
suggestion which would connect the name of
the venerable gentleman with wager with
every mark of delight. On the same day it
said editorially
"Mr. Chittenden assures us that he is willing to de-
post the 100000 II desired aud that he is very much
in earnest in this matter. Mr.. Phelps Is equally In
earnest and his devotion to Blaine is equaled only by
his faith in his probty We need not tell him that
certificate Of generation Ike the one proposed from
President ooscv coud be north more Uotes 10 blaine
than Stere Elkins and the largest kind ~ campaign
fund iU be able 10 secure but may add that Pres
ident Woosev's connection with Yale college, and in
terest In it, would heghten tho effect Of his condem-
nation, in case he decided against Mr.. Blaine"
In two subsequent editorials the Post, in a
style better fitting pool-room than the col
umns of "a gentleman's paper, edited by
gentlemen" called upon Mr.. Phelps to accept
the challenge No notice was taken of this
bit of buster, but in the course of time when
Brooklyn friend courteously asked DIR.
woolsey for his opinion, he promptly replied
in the following letter;
NEW HAVEN, Sept 40, 1884.
To Tired Vernon, ESq.,-
MY Dear Sir 1t is true that have formed the opn
ion that Mr.. Blaine cannot have acted dishonesty in
his transaction to which you refer based my opin-
ion Mr.. Hoars defence Of him at first as well as on
the confidence entertained In him by Mr.. GARFIELD and
by Messrs. Dawes, Hawley aud Edmunds Of the Unit
ed States Senate, who have long known him As FOR
the especial charges in the Fisher and Mugan affair,
may refer you, especially, to pamphlet which sup
pose to be written by George Bliss Of New York l
may add that the character of the President is only
out Of several things to be considered in this cleo
ton More important is the general character Of the
two parties, and especially the reliance which can be
reposed the two parties in their Interpretation OF
the constitution the moral and religious worth to be
found in the two, and their past respect for the con-
sutution And of no small importance is the ability
and power of judging in the two men now candidates
of the two parties. Mr. Cleveland seems to me very
small man, and unable to act independently on inn
| pOrtant questions.
If, then, all things put together the ability and
character Of the two the party supporting them and
the men who brought on the war there can be no
| doubt that Mr. Blaine ought to be supported. Your
friend and servant, I. ID. WooLsRY.
President Woolsey thus makes known his
opinion that successful and of course moi
discreditable defence of Mr.. Blaine has beer
made.
And now the Evening Post has the hard
hood to abuse the Republicans for having
made President Woolsey an electoral large
aud then Invaded his well-won repose to ex
tract written opinion from him Of Blaine
qualifications. In its outburst of anger i
declares that nothing more discreditabl
than the publication of this letter has occur
red in the canvass !" The fact of the who'll
matter is that the Post finds no backing TO
the charges which are the outgrowth of it
malignant hatred of Mr.. Blaine. From a tenn
perate, reliable journal, commanding univer
sal respect, it has fallen to be a vituperativ
partisan sheet