Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-07-06
Mr.. BATTELL's POSITION DEFINED.
RIPToN, VT, July 2, Is

L
EDITOR REGISTER. Dear Sir Own
ing an interest in the REGISTER, and
quite large, though not controlling
one, | desire to give my personal views
of the political contest that has suddenly
been thrust upon us, so that there will
be no misunderstanding of my own part
in the position that see you are disposed
to take in support of the Republican
nominations of Messrs. Harrison and
Morton.
And in the first place will explain my
position of four years ago, because by ac-
cident it must have been partly misunder-
Stood The Republican party, then, NOM
mated as its candidate for President a
man who | believed, in spite of some fine
traits that were peculiarly democratic
and large amount of talent, was not to
be trusted. My belief admit, was not
founded altogether on his political record,
but was in part if not largely based upon
the fact that | happened to be in the
House of Representatives when Mr..
Blaine upon question of privilege arose
to reply to certain accusations that had
been made against him. | neither liked
the reply nor the appearance of the man
at that time, and it would be simply inn
possible for me, having seen and heard
!
after in his integrity. Therefore | could
not and would not vote for him. l was,
however, somewhat startled and not at
all pleased to find issued by some very
worthy men in the south part of the State
a political address or essay with my name
signed to it. Not single word of this
had | written, and under no circum-
stances would have permitted its publ
cation as mine. The essay referred to
was well enough, but in my opinion it
was a useless thing to publish it and
hence unwise. Besides, did not then
care, nor do now, to differ unnecessari-
ly with those with whom had acted and
who had so repeatedly given me their
votes. Only just so far would L differ
from old party associates as the command
of higher duty forces, and then, if
obliged to part, l could not for moment
forget the conrtesies that we owe to those
who have repeatedly shown their conf
dence in us.
Gentlemen, this year we are met with a
new and most extraordinary condition.
The Republican party, that party
which was born of principle and under
whose banner in its struggles for free
dom has been enlisted to large extent
the conscience and morality of the nation,
has come out as the party of free whis-
key. that. and nothing more. Deliberate
ly and advisedly it has taken its position.
Without blush, suddenly as in the
heavens the thunder storm bursts when
over vale and mountain reverberates its
echoes. the Republican party from its
highest tribunal of authority has an
nounced its position, that it stands for
wrong: that in the great question of
| IN af tla thn
greater one of Right-it deliberately as
sumes the wrong because its interests
fOrsOOth, the interest at least of those
who lead it, are but subserved they think,
by this course. There is more money in
it. or it is thought there is. And that is
all.
And in the plank with which they dc
this, to the crime of sale is added that of
falsehood and hypocrisy. This whole
plank, by which party deliberately COM
mitted suicide, reads: "If there should
still remain larger revenue than is re-
quisite for the wants of the government,
we favor the entire repeal of internal
taxes [whiskey and tobacco rather than
the surrender of any part of our prOtec
tive system at the joint behest of the
whiskey trusts and the agents of foreign
manufacturers
AT the Joint behest of the whiskey
trusts. The facts are, and they are eX
tremely simple, there isn't school boy
in the land but what can understand
them. through our system of duties anC
internal revenue more money comes thar
the government has occasion for; there
fore it is necessary to reduce these taxes
This fact of surplus, and this alone
forces change in the revenue. What
has that unknown factor called the
whiskey trusts or foreign manufacturers
to do with this? Nothing whatever, bur
the party that devised this plank at
tempts, as many a criminal before has at
tempted, to cover its work with IA lie.
So far as the question of protection i:
concerned nearly all of us probably be
lieve in it to certain extent. 1t is a
times, perhaps, very necessary to a spe
cial industry, and should be carefully
used to protect home industries so far IL,
circumstances will admit. As country
grows older and strongerit stands to rea
son that it needs less of protection. Blu
that question in the present case is thrus
aside by the greater one of right. ha,
hoped, Mr.. Editor, to once more be abb,
to act with the old party. So far as it
nominees are concerned | could mos
cheerfully do so, but with this platform
never. | scOrn party that could sacri
flee temperance; and despise leader
ship which cannot comprehend that prin
ciple is greater than gain, and that onl
in the doing right can any party hope t
live. JOSEPH BATTELL.