Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-04-16
PRESIDENTIAL TALK IN VERMONT.
Letter From Hon. y. -, Harris Of brat
tieborO md ON N mt hY the Phnenix.

Letter From Hon. y. -. Harris Of Brat
tieboro and Comment by the Phoenix.
The Brattleboro Phoenix prints the fol-
lowing letter from Hon. b. d. Harris:
Careful inquiry leads me to believe that
If the republicans of Vermont were asked
to express their choice for the next presi-
dent Of the United States. at least three
fourths of them would unhesitatingy say
Mckinley" Fortunately we have largo
supply of available presidential timber,
and unquestionably all earnest republicans
would cordially support any one of the
candidates suggested,-Reed, Mckinley,
Morton, Harrison or Allison-if nomin-
atcd; but there are hundreds of thousands
of voters in the country upon whom party
obligations rest lightly, and 1t is quite
within the bounds of probability that this
class of voters will decide the election; and
this consideration ought to have great
weight in determining the nomiation. Now,
assuming that all the prominent cand-
dates are equally fit to be president (and
certainly no injustice will be done to the
others by the assertion that Mckinley is
the peer of any of them,) the man should
be nominated who can most easily and
surely be elected. AS a vote winner Nc
Kinley in my opinion-and the spontan-
eous demonstrations throughout the coun-
try clearly justify this opinion-greatly ex-
GELS all his competitors. His name Is in
separately connected in the thoughts of
hundreds OF thousands of independent
voters all over the country, mainly labor
ing men, with the great Industrial prosper
ity that prevailed during the years preced-
ing tho election of the present administra-
ton, and to them the nomination of Nc
| Kinley would mean the speedy return OF
this eagerly longedfor prosperity. Hence,
his phenomenal popularity and strength
among the masses of the people.
rtta qt ton, ,f M
all the candidates arc equally reliable, and
whoever is nominated, he must and will
stand squarely on the outspoken and I'M
equivocal sound money platform that Is
sure to be made by the national nominal
ing convention at st. Louis. II these
things are true, and 1t seems to me impos-
sible for any intelligent observer to dis
pute their substantial accuracy, why
should not the true voieo of the vast ma
jority of the republicans of Vermont fine
| direct and coge1t utterance in the st
Louis convention, and so be an influence
for good from the start, instead OF having
that influence manipulated and fritteret
away in idle compliments and strategic
political alliances and combinations, which
are apt to have In view personal interest!
and ambitions rather than the public veal
In national conventions hitherto Vernon
has had clear ideas of what she wanted
and has sought to accomplish her purposes
by open and direct action from the start
and in this way, though small, her innu
ence has by no means been insignificant
Shall not her past honorable record inspire
the future? B. d. Harris.
April 7, 1896.
The Phoenix comments on Mr.. Harris
letter as follows:
The Phoenix takes no exception to tn
high estimate of William Mckinley as
man and presidential candidate whicl
, Mr.. Harris places upon him In his lette
: this week, or with the estimation in whicl
, he Is held by republicans everywhere. HI
public record is beyond reproach, and n,
man who saw his bearing as chairman o
tho national convention at Mlnneapoli
four years ago, and the mas terly and de
. termined way in which he nipped In tn
bud an inclp!ent stampede OF the conven
ton to himself can ever fail to admir-
him and believe in him. but n Is our be
!. lief, nevertheless, that Vermont shout
stand with the rest of New England 4
= support of Thomas B. Reed at St. Louis
a Wo have no wish to have the delegato'
e Instructed for any candidate; on the con
, trary we believe decidedly that this shout
y not be done. But 1t will be no loss of or
Q portunity. and no frlttering away @
t strength for Vermont to give her vote
Mr.. Reed until the situation develops.
$ the Ohio man is nominated by reclamation
- as his most enthusiastic supporters no'
}, predict, tho event viii east Its shadow ia
!, enough before 90 that New England ca
:, join in his acclaim, and she win do
y heartily
Il But after all confidence In and admire
o tton for Mckinley has boon expressed, tn
e fact must DO borne In mind that h
e strength as q candidate will also be h
Is weakness. Ho stands in the public min
IT distlnctivciy and almost sofcly as the g,
IS poncnt Of the high protection idea an
II when the campaisY, II oncs entered upc
Vt every fose and mtDdacious charge abo,
e "fnt frying" and shslching the rich at II
" expense Of poor. will be brovght out ar
l. rovamped and used to prejudice the labo
Ing classes against the republican part
These tactics viii not Be successful aga
to be sure, but they could be used with Il
10 less effect against H4sd than against M
IL Kinley. Under hig fReed's) Leadership Il
republican canvas would stand equal
/, for the projection OF American industrie
1t would stand for sound money; II wou