Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-11-02
MIR. EDMUNDs TO MIR. DANA.
Vigorous and Truthful Arrangement of
MIR. Cleveland, and a strong Endorse
nsnt of Gen. Harrison.
WASHINGTON, D, c., Oct. 20,

WASHINGTON, D, c., Oct. 90, 1855.
/ Dear Mr.. Dana observe in the Sun OF
the 2sth statement, with conspicuous
headlines, to the effect that l am not
taking a speech making part in the pres
ent campaign, and that attention has
been called to the fact. The matter is so
stated as to permit the inference that /
am not earnestly interested in the election
OF Gen. Harrison. | beg you, as the fair
minded lover Of fair play and the editor
of the principal really democratic news
paper In the country, to allow me to repel
through your columns any such implica-
ton.
| am, and have been ever since the NOM
nation of Gen. Harrison, most earnestly,
and, according to my strength and capaci-
ty, actively in favor of his election, be-
cause:
| L. personally know him to be of great
abilities, of pure and upright life. and of
the most vigorous and aggressive upright
| ness and independence, both as a man
and asa republican, and l therefore believe
that he will administer the government
in the full vigor of the principles of the
republican party.
2. He was gallant soldier-his sword
flashed in the front of battle, and in the
gloomy rear of retreat was heard his voice
of consistency and of courage.
g. He is of the people and for the peo-
ple-the defender of justice and of equal
| rights for all
4. He Is sincere believer in the employ
ment of American labor to supply Amer
lean productions for American consump-
ton.
D. He is not victim Of the delusion
that affects the present administration
that the customs duties are always tax
on the consumers of imported goods, and
he knows that the official and printed rec
ords OF the government show (as in the
case of tea and coffee put on the free
list' some years ago, and in the case of
the so-called reciprocity with Canada)
that the duties taken off of such importa-
tions did not benefit our people by di-
minlshing the price they paid for their
purchases, but did benefit the foreigner
only.
g. He knows that every foreign-made ar.
ticle, from shoe pegs and shoes to locomo-
tives and ships, used in our country, by
just that much deprives the American
worker of the opportunity to earn bread
for his family.
I. He knows that Il nation is only large
family, the members of which are bound
to help each other by united and recipro.
cal labor.
S. He knows, therefore, that the declara-
ton of the president, in his message to
Congress, that customs duties are purely
and wholly tax, is grave error, and
That to give American labor an opportu-
nifty to win bread Americans must, as
brothers, in one family, employ the labor
and use the products of each other.
o. He will not (as the present admins
tration has done enter into discussions
and agreements with England in regard
to so-called free trade with Canada and
the putting of Americans on worse foot
ing In British ports than the British have
in our own.
III. He will not for even one day tolerate
the official presence of a foreign minister,
from whatever country he comes, who
undertakes to interfere in our elections,
even If that minister thinks that his cleo
ton or his party will work to the advan-
tage of that minister's couutry-as the |
present administration has done.
IL. He will not make professions of ii |
deity to the principles of civil service re.
form amendments the cover for receiving
and refusing TO make public, or even re.
fusing to communicate to the Senate aft |
davits or other testimony (often perjured) |
against an holder of any office-as the pres |
ent administration has done.
II. He will not select to execute the |
n tTI1a
of criminals, disreputable and incompe-
tent persons than have been so selected |
by all the administrations added together |
of the 100 years of the existence of this gov
ernment-as this administration has done |
IL. He will not point out to his country |
men the danger to free elections and to
really democratic government dangerous
as it really is) of a presidents being
candidate for reelection, on account of
his immense power of patronage, and then
permit all his chief officers and their sub
ordlnates to become Offensive partisansn
and exhibit "pernicious activity in pro-
noting his reelection, nor will he allow |
heavy levies of money to be made upon
all, even the humblest of the servants of
the government, to accomplish it-as the |
present administration has been and is |
doing.
These, dear Mr. Dana, are some by no
means alb of the grounds on which with
my whole heart l desire the election OF
Gen. Harrison, and may | not be sure that
your sense of fair play-since you have
made me conspicuous in the matter-will |
lead you to give this letter the prominence
in your paper that you gave to the impu- |
tation to which reply
Yours truly,
GEORGE +. EDMUNDS.
Charles A. Dana, esq,
Editor New York sun.
Minister West now says, 81 would like
to be excused from having anything to do