Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-10-10
VT, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1884.
FOR THE YOUNG MEN.
straightforward statement Of IIea-
sons why they should Vote the re-
publican Ticket.

A straightforward Statement Of Iea.
sons why they should Vote the re-
publican Ticket.
The following letter. written by a "promi-
nent citizen and accomplished gentleman of
Rutland to his son who had informed him of
his intention to vote for Cleveland, is one of the
best and strongest and most conclusive srgu.
ments in favor of support Of the Republican
ticket that has ever come under our observa-
tion. The letter was written as a private
one but was printed by the Rutland Herald
because of its value as a contribution to the
literature OF the campaign. It's author, il
we mistake not, is John N. Baxter, Esq.
Ny Dear Son - am very glad to get your letter
OF the 9th inst, although not particularly pleased
with your views Of the political situation, and
alnly not convinced by your arguments.
II is every mans privilege, well his duty to
act according to his best convictions In the matter Of
supporting candidates for OH 3e and without presum-
ing to dictate to others, briefly explain why
support Republican nominations.
voted the Wing ticket (as did my father before
me) before you or tho Republican party were born.
When the Wings and antisavery free soil element
OF the country united about 1866 aud formed the Re
publican party Joined its ranks and have consist
ehtly and uniformly supported its nominees from
that time to this and never in my life could so far
forget my education or my natural and instructive
love for right aud truth as 20 vote for Democrat,
except it might be for some local office. why7 Be-
cause one party represented slavery, dsunon, state
rights, In opposition to national sovereignty and
brought into its fold the ignorant and worst elements
OF citizenship; the other represented intelligence,
progress, freedom, and united country, which they
saved by the sacrifice Of Its best blood ia the for
the Union.
do not believe in the theory that the Republican
party or its candidates are perfect and the Eng
llsh say OF their king "can do no wrongh But re-
hgousy believe that its principles It's policy and its
record as whole, challenge the support and admira-
tion OF rght-thnking men, and the measures which
they have advocated aud sustained against violent
ana reckless opposition have advanced and fostered
the material interests Of the country, and pads us a
nation to be feared and respected at home and abroad
Jealous Of it's rights and able to maintain them.
In 1872, believing that U. S. Grant was incompe-
tent as civil magistrate, and incapable from
Of statesmaulike qualities Of administering the af-
fairs of government seeing that he surrounded him
sell with bad advisers aud dishonest men aud made
the worst possible appointments, | did become dis
gnsted and boted giving In my adherence TO Horace
Greeley, the first, abest and best Of all Republicans
the foremost mau In this country at that time In his
thorough knowledge Of its political history and in his
pure aud bameless life.
The opposition then manifested towards Gen.
Grant whose popularity by reason Of his in
the war was universal and induced the people to
done his iautsl, gradually opened the eyes Of the
leading men Of the party, who, conscious Of the
truth aud force OF this opposition proclaimed de-
termination To reform the party within itself aud to
weed out incompetent and dishonest men. The cleo
uun OF Hayes gave able and honest administra-
ti0n, and though weak himself be was man Of the
best Intentions, and had au able chief In William NJ.
Evarts.
The election Of Garfield was another advance 10 the
right direction had the pleasure of seeing him
and listening to his magic eOqueuce In the Chicago
convention, and never more impressed with the
aNt tuaA upon MIN nature, as Shakespeare puts It,
bad put her seal to give to all the world Of
a man.
Now, while all parties are more or less corrcpt we
cannot get on without them. We must recognize
them and take up sides with the other. But
to act iuteligenty aud practically must endeavor
by our votes to continue or put into power the
representatives. Of that party whose past history aud
whose creed would give evidence Of the best
administered.
How does a vote for Cleveland and Hendricks count
for good2 While Cleyeands short career a. a public
man, admit, shows certain degree Of ability, he
has no national reputation, aud his views on the
questions Of the day, il he has any, are wholly un-
known. His official protection Of such a man Hu-
pett ~ thompson is enough to damn him; and II he
by any chance elected to the Presidency (which
certainly is remote Possibility and should he be ey-
er so wen inclined to act Independently, he could
never Withstand the assault Of the hungry aud hrs-
~ Democratic horde that would rush 10 upon him
from the South, and every other point Of the COM
pass He would be tool In the hands Of his friends,
the old rebel yell would sound through the CApitoI
and fully believe this country vould oct set back
from which 1t would take years to recover
As for Hendricks, his record is known to the world
as that OF al arrant copperhead and it seems to
should be insulting the cause OF freedom, the mem-
DRY oi the martyred Lincoln, and the thousands Of
true men who died that the nation might live, To cast
a vote Tor man who in the time of his country's
peru was traitor ana coward. believe in God,
aud in the people, and don't believe that the spirit Of
Justice and patriotism Is dead spirit that will toler-
ate or suner such man ts be crowned as hero,
The government Of this country, II it lives and
prospers mast bring to its aid the voice an en-
hghtened, educated patriotic aud yrtuous coustitu-
ency, This is the effort and aim Of the Republican
party. The men who oppose education aud carry
elections by the tissue ballot aud the shot gun and
appeal TO the worst passions not the men to rule
and make the country prosperous, and Of such is the
Democratic party.
What has James G. Blaine done to merit the deser-
ton aud disanecton Of those righteous pretend
ers like Geo. VIM. Curtis and kindred spirits? The
only specihc charge. believe is in connection with
the Little Rock railroad, aud admit he made by in
timaton, very unseemly reference as to his ability
to aid project by reason Of his official position but
this subject was thoroughly canvassed eight YEARS
ago, aud this same Curtis publicly acquitted him Of
wrong intent; and nov, after the matter may be
said to be outawed, the old story ia revived the
same Curtis (who by his wonderful gifts Of thought
and speech, had won the confidence Of his party),
now dsgruntled and disappointed drunk with ad-
mration OF himself, is ready to resurrect true
what he had heretofore pronounced az false. l ap-
peal from Curtis drunk to Curtis sober. Mr. Curtis
Is dead cock IN the pit His influence is gone and
he viii never again command the respect Of the peo
pie OF this country. II In public Of 90
years blaines enemies can dig up only this stale
charge against him, while 10 the main his record has
been straight his private life beyond reproach and
his public services those Of exceedingly able and
patriotic man, can forgive him. He is man Of
comprehensive and versatile talent. accomplished
legislator aud brilliant debaer aud in every sense an
American who cxats his own country and viii have a
distncuyely American policy, and under his leader
ship, with good advisers this country, in my opinion,
viii hold up her head in conscious dignity aud
strength.
You advise me to take some fair, Independent pa
per to go with the Tribune. Then, l suppose, you
think will have the Bllaine and the antdote. But
Tear, at my time of life, If my observation Of men
and things has failed 20 give settled convictions,
and those Of the right sort, newspapers will hardly
supply the deficiency.
Ponder well, let me advise you, before You act In
this matter. hope you will not, calling yourself an
Independent Republican, throw your hrst vote for
Cleveland and Hendricks if you do, think you will
live TO regret II. There is middle ground in poll
tics As Storrs says, in language perhaps forci-
BILE than cOnsiderae is either the heaven Of good
politics or the hell Of that diabolca internal old
Democratic party"
did not intend this as a stump speech. They are
TO me words OF truth and soberness and convictions
OF lifetime, ana while they may not convince you,
hope you may hnd in them food for reflection.