St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1886-02-25
SHOWING THEIR HANDS.

The past few weeks have brought
about decided changes on the surface
of Vermont politics. A month ago pa
pers that are understood To be more or
less under the control of Ex-Governor
Smith were carrying on an underhand-
ed warfare against Senator Edmunds,
losing no opportunity to get in blow,
but taking no open stand against him
or in favor of Smith.
The other day the Burlington Free
Press took the liberty to copy friend
ly word for Mr.. Edmunds from So
called mugwump paper. On this the
ST. Adams Messenger reads the Free
Press lecture, and, before it is through
with the discussion that has grown out
of it all, comes out in open and sharp
opposition to Senator Edmunds in
words that for bitterness and viruleDce
would do credit to the Argus. 1t talks
about ''the gentleman's Decline" "the
decay of the senator's influence" who
''has wallewed in mugwumpery" and
saws, alt is evident that Senator Ed
munds, from philip drunk, to Philip
sober is losing his influence with all
parties, and has undertaken a greater
load than he can carry"
But the Messenger woke up the
wrong passenger when it opened fire
on the Free Press concerning what
constitutes good republican and who
within the party lines and permitted
to aid in keeping in power the best
men.
We say, says the Free Press, that
this 10 no tir"0 f,pr oiro republican I'uIU
to permit it's strong men to be stricken
down by private malice and personal
ambition. 1t is the opinion not of the
Free Press alone, but of the wisest and
best republicans throughout the land,
that the departure of Senator Edmunds
from the front would be very serious
weakening of the battle line of the re-
publican party-and that no new com
er, be he who he may, can step into
his shoes and do equal service.
We know, of course, that there has
been not little censure of the senator,
not Il little calumny, not little false
hood about him aflOat for many months;
and we know also that it was started
and has been assiduOusly kept up, for
Il special purpose, as part of "stlll
hunt" and an organized and unscrupu-
lous campaign to kill off the senator,
in order that another man may have
his place. 1t is as far as it has gone
IL distinct sacrifice of the interests of
the republican party to personal ami
mostly and ambition.
The Free Press asks no quarter and
deals such telling blows that there is
nothing left for its opponent to do but
to put the name of its champion at the
head of it's columns, come out from its
and fight squarely for the man
it is bound to support. After this is
done we shall expect to see the Watch
man fall into line, and then, one by
one, the other papers that have been
''fixed."
1t is rather amusing in this connec-
ton to read in the Boston Post, Il
paper of democratic tendencies if we
Alright, that ''Mr. Smith is
as the most formidable can
didate for the seat in the senate now
occupied by Edmunds in the event of
the -Edmunds sentiment remaining |
as it is at present." and also to note,
elbow little share Mr.. Smith is taking
in the contest may be judged by the
fact that he has taken the ladies of his
family aud gone off in his private car
for tour of Mexico and Southern CAL
fOrnia"
The real situation remains unchang-
ed. Smith is still understood to be
a candidate for Senator Edmunds' po-
sitien if he concludes that there is II
chance of his getting it and
20 have his papers and his henchmen
the state ready to proclaim
lin when the signal shall be given,
,ut he prefers the "still hunt" until
ust the right time shall come.
But Vermonters prefer fair fight in
IN open field and the time seems fast
when they will have it.