Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1890-03-24
Soldier Candidates.

The quite animated and interesting
discussion in the state papers in re-
gard to candidates for governor is
bringing many interesting facts to
remembrance and notice. The Yer
mont Wdtchnadn in an able article on
the governor question makes refer
ence to the various classes from
which governor candidates have been
chosen. In speaking of the soldier
class, the Wdtchman says:
"This generous preference for the
soldier has been especially conspicu-
Gus in the selection of candidates for
the office Of governor. On the east
side the honors are even, the soldier
governors, Washburn, Farnham and
Pingree, dividing the dignity with
the civilians, Converse, Fairbanks
and Dillingham;. On the west side /.
however, the blue predominates. At
ter the civilians, Stewart and Peck,
comes the soldier, Proctor, lieuten-
ant-governor in 1876 and governor
in 1878, followed by Barstow, lieu
tenant-governor in 1880 and govern
or in 1882; Ormsbee, ieutenant-gov-
ernor ia 1884 and governor in 1886
Woodbury., acknowledgement in
1888 and candidate for the govern
orship in 1890. In 1880 the state
ticket was Farnham and Barstow both
soldiers in 1882, Barstow and Pin
gree, both soldiers; in 1884, Pingree
and Ormsbee, both soldiers. In no
invidious spirit are these facts enum-
Grated. Vermont is glad to honor
the country's defenders, but old sol
diers themselves who have a soldiers
frankness are quick to acknowledge
that they have been very generously
remembered, and many are saying
that fair play now demands that the
civilian have his innings. This is en-
tirely creditable to the veterans
sense of right and justice. 1t is the
characteristic of men of chivalrOus in
stincts, and in this spirit a very large
number of the best and bravest of
the survivors Of the late war-we
speak advisedly-are looking at this
matter of the governorshIp at this
time"
The Watchmaa1o treats the question
of the soldier in office very generous
ly and very fairly. The state press,
for the greater part, has always been
Just to the claims of the soldier. To
this spirit of the press, and to the de-
sire on the part of the people to pay
full honors to those who served in the
field, may be accounted the fact that
so msny soldier-citizens have been
honored by political offices since the
war. To the honor of this class let
it be said they have in almost all
cases comported themselves well.
There has been some little COM
plant, perhaps just complaint, that
the soldier has won nearly all the po-
litical prizes in Vermont since war
times. While this is true, we do not
suppose, as a rule, he is more ambi-
tious for political honors than other
men.
Personally we have had some fears
that the predominance of the soldier
element in matters political might be-
get spirit of dislike to the name SOL
dier.
1t has been said by some that the
c.. A. r. organization is run as a po-
litical machine, and that it works in
the interest of soldier candidates.
OF course everybody must understand
that it is not political organization,
and can not be run as such. While
there may be brotherly feeling and
| sympathy between soldiers, we
know of no instance where it is aU0rb
ed in behalf of the soldier candidate.
In the present case, where a soldier
citizen, Col. Woodbury., and busi-
ness citizen, Mr.. Page, are rival can
didates, to our personal knowledge
a large number of prominent soldiers
of the g. A. r. prefer Mr.. Mr.. Page
to Col. Woodbury. for this office.
The soldier is supposed to have
been and to still be generous as we'll
as patriotic when he feels that him
self and his comrades have been used
we'll, that answers his desires. He
tried to do his duty as a soldier, he
will do it as a citizen.
We should regret much to see at
this time, or at any time, what seem
ed to be a soldier combination in be-
half of any particular candidate.