Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-02-27
NlNEIY.oNE YEARS AGO.
An Interesting Old Letter. From Martin
Chittenden to Jonas Gaiushn. IL IL I'm
earthed in Texas by a Correspondent of
the Free Press.

Chittenden to Jonas Gslushn. II IL I'm
earthed in Texas by a Correspondent of
the Free Press.
Abilene, Texas, Feb. 10, 1896.
To the Editor of the Free Press:
While travelling through the more
sparsely settled portions of this State
your correspondent visited the town of
Roby, village on what might be termed
the frontier of Texas While there he en-
tered dingy law office In the centre of a
row of low wooden buildings. This par
ticuar building was long and narrow and
was divided into two or three rooms, in
one of which was q confused pile of boxes,
books, odd desks and office furniture,
covered with dust. 1t was the last place
In the world to look for ancient documents
The very population of the town seemed
but temporary, the people striving against
the Disadvantages of a country still de-
nominated by some as the great treeless
desert. The houses were himsy struc-
lures, and the boxes and old office furni-
ture In this room seemed only to have
been dumped there to await further trans
portatton. Yet In this promiscuous heap
was a great wealth of books, documents,
letters and private records many of which
were ancient, curious and valuable.
The Free Press man was soon delving
after hidden treasures. In a special draw
er OF one of the old desks were some old
letters, and from among thcee he selected
one written In 1905 by Martin Chittenden
then member OF congress from Vermont
| 10 Hon. Jonas Gelusha, one Of Vermonts
early governors. This letter is Of peculiar
interest, because 1t refutes the idea so
persistently advanced by the populists,
who are very numerous in that part of
OF the country. that our public function
| aries have degeneroted, from a race of
giants, POLITICALLY and periodically speak
ing) who In tranquility and peace perform
ed their mighty works, to a race of selfish,
partisan, If not corrupt pigmies, too small
| 10 rise above private or sectional in
| terests and too much possessed by the
demon of discord" to BIO able to see the
needs OF tho common people, and give
them untold millions of fiat money.
Mr.. X. c. Crane, the proprietor OF the es-
adjustment and a very pleasant and Gull
tured gentleman. who seemed to be super
Tor to his surroundings, kindly allowed
this letter to be copied in full. Mr. Crane
is n son of DR.. VIM. Carey Crane, the pull
pit orator and man of profound learning,
Formerly well-known throughout the South.
DR.. Crane attended college in New York
state while youth and there became ac-
quainted with and afterwards married a
grand daughter Of Hon. Jonas Galusha.
In this way the letter came into the pos
|
been for more than fifty years.
1t Is Interesting to contemplate the his
tory or this letter. Written by federalist
TO fcderalist 1t afterwards, through
cupid's capers, fell into the hands of one
of the Virginia faction" probable adj
mrer OF John Randolph and enthusiastic
supporter of the second war with Great
| Britain, who made n note of some signi-
hcant historical facts on the back of It.
1t finally made its way to this southwest
ern town where 1t seems to have survived
to rebuke the horde of "reformers' who
seem TO have sprung from the desert in a
night and have undertaken to reform the
greed, rapacity. ignorance and corruption
OF modern politics and politicians and TO
establish them on the lines of wisdom,
moderation and justice that characterized
the early days of the republic. The letter
is as follows:
Washington, Feb. ., 1905.
Dear Sir Your oblging favor of the
list ultimo has been duly received and its
contents noticed with pleasure, for which
you have my grateful thanks.
AS TO the slight differences which may
exist respecting some of the meas OF
government. / believe this TO consist more
In name than substance, and Sir, I can al s.
sure you that bear no i'll will to you or
any other man on account OF this seeming
|
Lyon and myself has been happily re-
moved.
! This session of congress has for the most
part been very peaceable and much more
to my satisfaction than the last, as party
spirit evidently appeared to subside, which
gave me some hopes that this demon OF
discord might be banished from our once
peaceful shores. But, Sir, scene took
place last week, the whole of which was
spent on the subject of the Yazoo claims
and which will be a lasting disgrace to
our national character
John Randolph finding that a majority
of the house would be in opposition to his
views on this subject, in two infamatory
speeches dealt out universal abuse, not on
the Federalists only, burt indiscriminat ely
on those who opposed his opinions and
wishes.
This produced a bold and manly though
decent reply from Messrs. Dawson, Root.
Johnson. Lyon, Elliot and Dana, in conse-
quence of which added to the III nature
of Randolph, he called out Root and Dana
in the Southern mode 1t Is said that Root
and he have settled and Dana not accept
Ing. Randolph has in the hearing of a
great number in the house. during their
sitting. declared to Dana that he would
nave revenge and that he would take 1t
personally; thus this business stands.
colonel Lyon Is in hourly expectation OF
challenge or a personal attack and he is
prepared to meet him in either way as he
may choose.
Those he cannot persuade he is deter
mined to drive and those he cannot drive
he is determined to otherwise dispose Of
: This occasioned such warmth and indie
corum as would have disgraced disorder
ly town meeting.
The desition Of this question you will
find In the enclosed paper The New
} England representatives were all in the
majority except two Mr.. Sever and Mr.
DIN, the last of whom Is perfectly sub
servient to the views of Randolph, his own
interests connected with the interests OF
our country Notwithstanding. and is a fl,
tool for the Virginia faction so far as he
can serve them with a silent vote.
/, On last Monday Judge Chase was ar
, raigned before the Senate and made an
> swer to the articles of impeachment ex-
hibited against him. His answer appears
to me respectful, bold and manly and sucf
as will do honor to the Judge as jurist
scholar and a politician but Of all this
you will be better judge when 1t shall
be published
On Tuesday Judge Chase with his broth
, er judges took his seat on the supreme
, bench and tomorrow he is ordered agar
! to appear before the senate as a high
court of impeachments.
, Thus on one day the judge is called t.
' answer for high crimes and misdemeanori
Z before Il court at the head OF which sit'
| the man whose hands are yet red with
the blood of one OF his fellow citizens ant
/ who now stands indicted by a grand jur,
: of his country for the crime of premedl
tated murder The next day we find TIL,
q judge on the bench of the Supreme Cour
in a situation IN try such offenders as ma,