Morning journal and courier., 1886-12-10
Vandalism.

To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER: Recent attacks again compel defense of | our venerable and honorable old State House and urge me to enter protest against drag | ging this misunderstood and much unappre- ciated structure into the mire of a political struggle. Much latitude must of course be allowed opposing editors in the excitement of a campaign, yet there are, however, some subjects about which people are especially sensitive that are best let alone, no matter how hot the fight.
 In this community the State House is one of these subjects. These same editors are men whose education and literary position ranks them among the natural advocates of cultivation and refinement.
 It is expected Shat they will be leaders in reforms or in desirable municipal improve ments, whether practical or merely aesthetic. No matter what may be the present condition of neglect and decay into which this respect ed friend of our childhood has been allowed to lapse, there are not few persons in this city capable of forming valuable opinions, to whom all subjects are not at once reduced to the rule and square of mere dollars and cents-to whom cost does exclude every oth- CT thought-by whom the stately old pile is yet held in veneration. These educated and cultivated people, by no means an inconsid- erable part of this community, do not enjoy such fippant hings as ''old hulk" ''New Haven's Parthenon," etc., or an intended in. jury, but actual honor, to the Republican nominee for the ofice of Mayor in calling him sEthe State Hoase candidate"
 The great up1ashed of both parties, the ignorant and ne unrefned. are not expected to vote in f.vor of any measure above their comprebbnslon and capacity to understand Unhappily, as it's name implies, this class is j more numerous than could be wished. It is also that 1heir votes can be counted upon to oppose any public improvement, in c1-a;,'s no reference to bread and beer, and may be reckoned on solid aeainst any measure of simple rehnon,e~+ and oood tasts It is for this reason that those 'a ."s.o .u downfall and destruction of the StaSes Moe sne are anxious to put the question of it's deiss' lition to public vote.
 Boston's great revolutionary relic, "Fan euil Hall," the celebrated ''Cradle of Liber- ty," may be said to be dear to every intelli gent American. If put to vote there to day a popular majority, numerically victorious, might be obtained, but it would in no de- gree express the respect and affection that actually exists both in that city and through out the land for that old stone building. It would be nothing surprising if this popular majority could be obtained there for desc crating this priceless inheritance and turning it into some kind of arena for 8 walking match, or into convenient establishment for drowning quick thronging memories of a glorious period in our nations history in pots of unlimited beer.
 The same class of people that would Y.v- 4L--G4-A- H----Is--~--:1- Hull in Boston may be relied upon to favor the demolition of our longtime unhappy State House in New Haven.
 If the quality of votes were considered as it almost seems as if they should be-so that they could be counted in proportion to the amount of taxes paid into the city treas ury. or according to capacity for deciding upon what rebounds to the actual distinction and dignity of ths city. on this and on other similar points, there would be no more talk of popular vote," nor any further discus sion about tearing down the great public or nament of New Haven; and if this noble structure is metaphorically in rags. and, Bel isarius like, begging for mere life in the city which it honors by it's presence, on whom rests the shameful blame?
 Who are they who must confess to share in such Vandalisms
 F. WAYLAND FELLowES.