Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-11-02
Dome Department.
AN INTERESTING LETTER.
The Sheldon museum has lately COZ

INTO possession Oh an elRnt-paRe auto
graph letter of VIM. Henry Harrison.
1t was given the museum by Hon. Chaun-
cey L. Knapp, now of Lowell, Mass, but
at the time it was written partner with
the late Hon. Elan r. Jewett in the pub
LEGATION in Middlebury of the Anti-Ma-
sonic Republican. The letter of Harr-
son was written, Mr.. Knapp says, sin re-
Spouse to his first Domination-on the
ticket of Harrison and Granger-in 1896.
This was before national nominating con-
ventions were in order, and resulted in
the choice of Harrison electors in Ver-
mont, New. Jersey, Delaware. Maryland,
Kentucky and Indiana-73 in all. Next
came the historic episode of 1870" The
first page of the letter-which is too long
to print in full-is as follows:
"NoRrH BEND, April %, 1896.
"Dear Str Your letter of the 1st uti-
mo did not reach Cincinnati until tow
ards the close of the month and at the
time of my absence. Upon my arrival it
was delivered to me, but amidst so many
pressing engagements as to preclude the
possibility of an immediate reply. The
resolutions adopted by the meeting of
the anti-Masonic members of the Legisla-
ture of Vermont on the 10th of October
last and re-adopted by the convention
which assembled at Montpelier in Febru-
airy were also received.
81 have carefully perused these resolu-
tions and have no hesitancy in avowing
my entire accordance with the sentiments
which they contain. l think it proper
also to say that in Mr.. SHADES sixth let
ter to Mr.. Hallett and in the Estate Jour-
nal, published at Montpelier on the Sth
of March, last my opinions upon Mason
ry Gas expressed in several letters to my
friends of the anti-Masonic party of
summer) are correctly stated.
'Recurring to the resolutions-I think
there is none of them more appropriate
than that in which is quoted the just re-
buke of the father of his country to that
most mischievous and destructive princi-
pie which would sanction usurpations of
power by the functionaries of a republic
under the stale pretence of redressing ex-
isting evils; and it is among the most
striking of the existing evidences of our
departure from the true faith strenuous
ly maintained by our ancestors that I'M
authorized assumptions of power are so
extensively regarded either with indiffer-
ence or with appreciation. 1t seems, in
deed, hardly necessary that they should
claim the merit of securing any manifest
public benefit. The daring and hardi-
hood of achievement ,seem sufficient to
entitle them to confidence and admira-
ton; as if the essential quality in the
character Of the chief magistrate of re-
public was the courage to assume respon-
sibility and the operations of the eXecu-
tive government were but a succession of
coups de main, directed against the real or
imaginary evils which it may be thought
necessary to crush. Whatever may be
the preteXts for these movements, or
however great their temporary advanta-
ges, they are in decided opposition to the
fundamental principles of our govern
lItHl. anu. IL pclsiolCu III, uluel clicCl It's
entire subversion."
The writer goes on to great length in
elaboration of his views. The letter ends
thus
"As the representatives of the.anti-Ma-
sonic convention of Vermont | beg leave
to offer their committee through you my
grateful acknowledgements for the dis
tinguished honor they have conferred up
on me by selecting me as their candidate
for the presidency. The pure republican
sentiments which they profess, and have
, promulgated in their resolutions, at once
enlightened and liberal, enhance the graf
iiication which feel on this occasion and
afford the most indubtable proof that the
present inhabitants of the Green Noun
tain State hold fast to the faith of their
ancestOrs-to those glorious principles to
, the vindication and establishment of
) which they so largely contributed. With
great consideration and respect am, sir,
: "Your humble serv't,"
, "W. III. HARRISON.
> &c. l.. Knapp, Esq, of the Anti-Ma-
sonic State Committee of Vermont"