Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-03-29

secution. of infamous and baseless false
hood, and of flagrant violation of all hon.
esty and decency, as the one just closed
against the management of the Graded
School.
Day and night, the enemies of the Su-
perintendent wormed their insinuations
and charges into the ears of every man,
woman and child. These enemies found
nothing too low to resort to in their eff
forts to cover with slime the reputation
of the object of their hate. Even though
the most superficial investigation at once
gave the lie to any statements tending to
place the work of the school upon any
but the highest plane, orrehecting in any
way, whatever, upon the character as a
man of the uperintendent, no investiga-
tion was wanted by these enemies,
thou9Ainvestigation was courted in ev-
cry way by the Superintendent. AS soon
as one lie was crushed, Phoenix like.
another arose from its remains.
Such persistency never fails to inhame
the passions. No living man could have
stood such violence, and under the at
tending circumstances, emerged with
victory in point of numbers, without sac
rificing pride and manhood.
In New Yorll,city, public indignation
at the methods of Thomas C. Platt is
constantly being expressed by public
meetings. Far and open are the charges
made, and Platt has the privilege of de-
Tending himself. Were any such meth
ods used here? Had they been, none
better than the opposition knew that the
statements would have fallen of their
own weight. Instead, at the eleventh
hour, these falsifying statements were
hurled forth. Under cover of darkness,
the poisonous venom was sent forth
against its defenceless victim. Not
corner or crevice but what was deuged.
But why this malignity? The cour-
age and independence Of the Superin-
tendent in resenting outside interference
with his professional duties has gained
him strong enemies. 1t is his punish
ment for faithful performance of an i'm
portant trust imposed in him.
The most disgraceful and non-Ameri-
can portion of the whole proceeding was
the attempt to stifle the voice of the Su-
perintendent when he asked for the priv
ilege of saying a few words in his own
behalf before the ballot was taken. 1t
showed the fear, cowardice, and unfair
ness of the aCCuseTs. This attempt at
gag law' stamped the whole as an out
rage and persecution. Again, where
was the manliness of these accusers,
who, having stabbed their victim in the
dark, refused to notice his challenge be-
for the assembled public?
In view of what took place, the 1O5
votes cast for the present administration,
represented an immense moral strength,
for they represented broad -mindedness,
justice and independence. They spoke
for the freedom of the ballot, and the
right of any man, woman or child to own
and enjoy good reputation while the
character deserves it.
One of the most deplorable features of
the fight was the participation through
many of its most prominent ana active
members, of one of our leading churches.
1t shows an oversight, temporarily let us
hope, of its noble mission. Certainly
anyone who observed their part in the
matter, their attempt to choke the voice
of man raised in his own behalf, would
be wholly justified in asking if the or
ganization is not more for the temporal
welfare of the few than the spiritual
welfare of the many. Demagogism that
would shame PETER, trickery that
would appal Croker, and deceit that
would cause an Annanias to blush, so
thoroughly permeated the campaign that,
let us hope, the public Indignation, grow
ing as these methods are brought to pub
lie notices, will reach such a volume as
will materially check any such proceed
ings in the future. ~