The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-04-24
From tile St. Johnsbury Republican,
threatening G6nsressniSn Grout.
70 the kdItor Of The Republican /:

to represent this district IN Congress mas
ben read here with much satisfaction.
Beyond tliSj there are other and local
reasons why men of honorable instincts
will not support him, some of which are
suggested below; and these reasons, in
their moral bearings at least, ought to re-
heive due consideration throughout the
district
The Blattleboro caucus bolters; led on
by Hooker; threaten dire vengeahce oil
Congressman Grout 0n account of his ac-
tion regarding the appointment of post
master here. and it is more than limited by
the less discreet among them that de-
termined effort is to be made all along the
line to deliver oyer the Grand Army, en-
masse; to partisan uses, in carrying out
this ireful programme. How far this
effort, by no means novel one In these
parts, will be successful, remains to be
seen; but it will certainly be interesting
to watch future developments in this re-
gard. Beyond que ,tion the Grand Army
is now undergoing crucial strain from
within, by reason of only thinly disguised
attempts by unscrupulous self-seekers to
subvert its noble aims and prostitute its
influence and enegies to personal ambi-
tions and low partisan politics and so it
has come about that this grand organiza-
ton, designed to exemplify Divine charity
and fraternity, whose legitimate work
and purpose have the helping hand and
earnest God-speed of all good men and
women, is now in deadly peril of pitfalls
digged for it by its own unworthy men,
bers. But, depression aside, it would
manifestly be wise for the irate caucus
boilers aforesaid, whose desperate strug-
gle to establish boss rule over the people
has colne to grief, before committing
themselves irrevocably to the course
marked out, to take realizing look at
themselves and their proceedings, if they
can rise to that elevation, from the stand
point of fair minded and impartial OBJ
servers.
What, then, has Gen Grout done or left
undone in this postoffice matter, that
should Justly subject him to the hostility
of any of his constituents here 1t is
well known that in the earlier stages of
the contest he gave no encouragement to
the idea of appointing democrat, but
when it was demonstrated, through Pc
titions, that large majority of the re-
publican patrons of the Office earnestly
desired the disappointment of Mr.. Childs
on civil service and business principles,
he recognized that fact as placing the case
in line with the now popular theory, of
which he is the acknowledged champion,
that the wishes Of majority of the pat
rons of the office in each locality should
govern in the selection of postmaster.
And this is no o-new idea with him, he hav-
ing twice introduced bill in Congress
to secure to the people bylaw this inesti-
mable right of local self rule. And later,
after the delegation, throwing aside the
petitions, set up caucus "to finally set
tie the contest" to be held under carefully
prepared rules, conditions and safeguards
imposed by themselves and accepted by
all parties without protest, and when the
result of this hotly contested caucus still
showed decisive majority in favor of
Mr.. Child's re-appointment, The caucus
being indisputably free from fraud, Mr..
Grout promptly accepted the outcome as
a finality and has since stood firmly and
manfuily by his principles and by the ma
jority. And pray, as a consistent public
servant and an honorable gentleman,
what else could he do Having ordered
the caucus, what possible course was open
to any of our Congressman without abso-
lutte selfstulifcation except to stand
Loyalty by the decision of the tribunal they
themselves had established ? Is there
any self-respecting voter in Brattleboro,
whatever his preferences for postmaster
may have been, who wants his delegation
in Congress to set up as political thimble-
riggers, or play the cutthroat game of
"Heads l win; tails you lose" Why,
even professional gamblers of the less
vile sort spurn with contempt the lower
down blackleg who plays with loaded
dice And shall Vermonts delegation
in Congress, whose ability and untarnish-
ed integrity have been our pride, be de-
nounced, and especially shall Gen. Grout
be sacrificed, because they and he refused
to participate in fraud and dishonor !?
The people may safely be left to answer
this question. The fact should not be
lost sight of that Hooker, who is now
striving with all his might, and by his Pc
culiar methods,lto supplant Gen. Grout,
is the identical man who first suggested
the caucus to the delegation in Congress
and peremptotily demanded it of the re-
publican town committee at home; and
after it was ordered, promptly telegraph
ed his cordial approval to Senator Nor
rill. He instigated the caucus, fought it
through, was fairly beaten, as he admits,
and is now at the head of the boilers !!
Verify a man of sensitive honor would
scarcely be comfortable in the attitude
now occupied by Col. Hooker before an
observant public.
And is there not herein very plain
object lesson for those of our fellow citi-
zens who, after accepting and actively
participating in the caucus, fully intend
ing to profit by the result if they won,
''bolted" when beaten
(lt is only fair to state that large
part of those who voted against Mr..
Childs promptly and honorably acquies-
ced in the result of the caucus and openly
condemned the subsequent action of the
bolting leaders.)