Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-02-19

Almost simultaneously with the announced
departure of ex-Gov. Smith on a pleasure
trip to California and Mexico the st. Adams
Messenger drops its very slight mask of re.
serve and comes out in open detraction of
Senator Edmunds. An article in the Mes
senger, of nearly columns length, is de-
voted to an alleged showing of how Mr.. Ed
munds's influence has wsned, and a disser-
tstion on his 'mugwumpery." Here are sam
pies:
mo one who has been acquainted with Mr..
Edmunds and has followed him as a party
leader with all the earnestness of Vermont
Republican from boyhood till 1884, can find
pleasure in witnessing the gentleman's de-
cline. To the circumstances attending the
campaign of 1884 over which he had control.
must be charged the beginning of the decay
of the senator's influence. 1t is to be sup
posed that the record aud the result are Just
as he wanted them. Remembering, as every
one must, the eagerness with which the mug
wumps seized upon his position and used it
with telling effect against the Republicans
without hindrance, it would be idle TO sup
pose that his influence with the injured party
could escape serious i'm pairment. But it is
hoped by his friends that his attitude toward
the party has been forgotten. But from that
time, nearly two years ago, until last week,
ial pet of the mugwumps.
The Republican party has leaders enough
without following those who have wsllowed
in mugwumpery. 1t is impossible that inhu-
ence can exist where there is no affinity. Mr..
Edmunds chose by his own act in standing
aloof from the party in its great struggle in
1884, and in aiding the enemy, to ALLEVIATE
himself from his former associates On re-
turning to camp from a hard fought cam
main dafa tlA 10 in ha atuFa of
things to think that leading officer, who had
purposely contributed to the defeat of those
who had right to claim support, can re -ob-
tain his former standing and influence. The
rank and file will not cheerfuliy submit to be
bossed around by any such leader and faith
full party leaders will not graciously turn aside
for the old pet of the 'mugwumps.'
j.. is evident that Senator Edmunds, from
1SyG'ip drunk, to Philip sober, is losing his
'Pnnpin with all parties, and has undertaken
influence sd than he can carry"
s'ee'0' rticle there is nothing which
In the Wnoie alye consistent 1t is simply
Is either loglcS! OF VI viruent hatred of Mr.
n expression of bitter a.. ,,,,,;a.,ie,, .
Edh-rnSs The excuse for itss fSGii'a'' ~ M
this time WIS som. quotation in favor y :.
Edmunds which the Free Press had coP'S
from an alleged "mugwump" paper. Eve
since the present session of Congress began
the Messenger has shown half. suppressed dis
position to belittle every public action of Mr.
E1munds, and it has found nothing in hi
course to mention with commentator. A
though claiming to be the most stalwart
Republican journals its petty malice has ca
ried it to the length of finding evidence
Mr.. Edmunds's "mugwumpery" in his couri
in demanding of the Executive the cause fC
tn fl al. Il 4
can officials like Gen. Wells. To vindica
himself as Republican in the eyes of Il
Messenger he must go back to the old do
trine that I" to the victors belong the spoils
and help on a clean sweep of all the offices
Allegations, for they are not argument
like those which the Messenger makes, T
quire no answer. To argue that Mr.. E
munds is not a mugwump would be like q
guing that Gen. Grant was not a rebel. SIM
the present session of Congress began he b
taken the the initiative in more legislation
national Importance than any other Senat
or Representative and he holds his place
leader of the Senate unquestioned by an
body except the Messenger and the MI
whose mouth piece it is. In demanding
know why competent Republican oficil
have been removed before confirming thu
successors, Mr.. Edmunds simply holds CO
sistently to the principles of civil-service
form. The present Administration caused
to be known, or understood, before assumi
office, that no removals would be made
cept for ''cause." Straightway, however,
removal Of officials of the highest chsrac
and standing began, and now the Ssna
with Mr. Edmunds in the lead, demands
an act of simple justice to these men a
their friends, to know the ''causes" which
the Executive to put other men in their plac
There may be honest differences of opini
as to the wisdom of this course, but if il
"mugwumpery" which inspires it the mt
wumpery consists in making one rule of civ
service reform apply alike to the Senate a
the Executive.
We like the frankness of the Messenger
at last distinctly declaring its attitude tow
Mr.. Edmunds, and now, since it finds
good in him, we join hands with the f
Press in hoping that it will go the whole
ure and as frankly say whom it wants
Senator in his place.