The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-01-23
Letters from the People.


NHf' bQeef iou ouo you' SoiioS-
pondents are sizing up that uncom-
monty windy puifball, the ever-pres-
ent and hungry Hooker, in right good
style, and we, the people, are glad to
see it for we have often wondered
how such transparent and selfish
demagogue should manage to push
himself SO prominently and constantly
into public notice. But with all that
has been said, justice has not yet
been done to him in one very impor-
tant particular 1 refer to his open
and continual and too often success
full efforts to prostitute the Grand
Army organization to his own politi-
cal purposes and ambitions. This or
ganization is worthy of better fate.
Its original purposes and practices were
all good and had the hearty sympathy
and help and Godspeed of all the
people. The people never have and
never will forget the old soldiers, or
refuse to give them helping hand
when they need it; and SO long as the
Grand Army organization confined
itself to the objects for which it was
founded, it had the universal respect
and good will of the whole commu-
nifty. But since political demagogues,
like Hooker, have begun openly to
prostitute it to low party politics, and
use it as caucus-packing nucleus
and convenience, contrary to an ex-
press provision Of its constitution,
great change is visible in public opin-
ion regarding it. Every man along up
this valley and in other parts of tue
county, who has kept his eyes open,
knows these things are true, but the
SITTER is the only paper that dare
print such truths. How many times
in late years, just before the time for
holding caucuses for the election of
delegates to important conventions,
have we see Hooker's emisaries
around Oheii faces are familiar,
everybody knows them)-stiring up
the Grand Army boys to pack and
run the caucuas for, and under the
dlctation of, tAeir master? And how
often, too, have we seen these worth
less fellows succeed, because true G.
A. R. men and the people were too
lazy or Indifferent to do their duty?
If anyone doubts these truths, let him
keep his eyes md ears open when the
next caucus-packing time comes
round. This is the way Hooker has
got all the political backing he has
ever had, or erer will have for he is
VIGOROUSLY destitute of the qualities
of character, principles and habits
That would naturally commend him
to the favor OF the sober minded and
virtuous people of Vermont. lie is
an imitator and disciple Of that noto-
rious old political rascal, "Boss
Tweed" under whom he received his
political training, and is now striving
to transplant the tactics Of that re-
nowned boss iuto the uncongeuial
soil Of Vermont. The moral and po-
litica theories of Hookers life were
well summed up by himself in reply
to the inquiryof u friend, ''if he was
not Iammany democrat when he
lived in New York City," as follows:
"Of course was-you don't think
I'm such - fool as to be either a
republican in New York, or demo-
crat in Vermont, do your This tells
The whole story. lie is professed
republican in Vermont, as he was a
genuine democrat in New York,
=. for revenue only" Principles be
-, it's votes I'm after y is his real,
If not his ayowed, motto. Now Hook
er isn't the only u.princlpled dema-
gogue who is trying to use and abuse
The e.. A. r. for partisan purposes
Dy any means but he is conspicuous
among such demagogues, and may
well serve as type of all. And the
vital question now is, will the u. A.
K. permit this prostitution of It's no.
bic purposes and good name 10 go on !;
or Will IL promptly put It's iron heel
on the necks of It's would be beLray- |
ers! Upon the answer TO this ques-
lion will depend the fate of the order
ii shall survive i'll honor
and usefulness, and leave blessed
behind, oI go down and out
ilshonored and unwept. 1t is high
Time for the better element i'll it To
r,se up and rescue it from The harpies
who feed upon its yltals.
WEST RIVER.
SUPPOSEI