Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1896-08-28

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the Free Press. coming from such a man
as f. ]. Phelps. late minister to England,
a life long democrat, and one OF the best
and foremost statesmen and lawyers ever
in Vermont, and forced by his own CON
victious TO write against party with
whom he has associated all his life, ought |
to startle all patriotic men and awake
them to the perils in which the country !
now Isl
Newport, K. l., Aug. %, 1896.
Hon. G. G. Benedict
My Dear Sir: regard
the pending presidential election as pre-
sentIng the most dangerous crisis that
this country has ever encountered. Ii
does not, in my Judgment, involve any
political controversy, nor any question
of the supremacy of party, for such con-
siderations are lost sight of i'll the far
greater gravity of the situation. The
2 real issue is one upon which all patriotic
e men and all who are interested IN the
prosperity and welfare of the country
should find themselves upon one side, and
. opposed to a common enemy. The at
r tack that we have to resist is not upon
f the policy but upon the life OF the nation.
9 For they would take its life who destroy
: the means by which it lives-the business
of many thousands and the industry OF
millions.
e The party is already hopelessly dis
rupted on the issue presented. We can
not follow both its divisions at the same
time, however desirable it might be, since
n they are moving in opposite directions.
r On the one side are the old and tlme-hon-
, ored principles of the party, under which
all it's great traditions have been gener-
. ated, and which all its llustrlous leaders
1t have advocated Chief and foremost
lie among those principles always III times
~ past has been the maintenance OF sound
=, and honest money, OF dollars that are
}" dollars, of national stamp upon them
a. that does not lie. Ii this is now aban'
n doned the party has no principles on the
most vital question of the time. On the
same side are its most trusted present
w statesmen and leaders and very large
proportion at the least OF its better ant
III most instructed element. Which way
$ shall we go then, since we cannot &c
he both WAYS? With its statesmen, or Will
- its camp-followers? With its principles
or with its organization, stampeded ant
~ degraded by its enemies Z In winch dl
ny rection lies the future OF the party II 1t 1
he to have any future? And who are the,
who will control it hereafter, when TIN
tyranny shall be over past?" Let NJ
man be afraid to be right on this ques
tie ton, for it is the right that will triumph
M in the end, whether it reforms the part
vn or destroys II ,,,,:,
ley. | am not a republican, and | neve
shall be. do not believe in protection
and ! shall never be converted TO it. Blu
in the throes of deadly malady | can
not afford to reject the only physical
who is in situation to help me, becaus
Ill his political opinions are different tror
he mine, or even because | think there ar
re- better physicians than he, if they coul
-, only be had in time. | shall go further
III and shall vote at the September electio
to for the republican candidate for goyel
TT. nor. could not vote for any democratl
tv candidate, however estimable his char
80, acter and however sound his persona
"'' views, who permits himself to be run OF
Try the Chicago platform of fraudulen
nd money. More especially when those wh
as have placed him in nomination have a
al the dictation of the men who obtaine
'' control at Chicago, ignominiou sly haule
down tue flag they first hoisted iorSoun
and honest money, and raised one Direct
Id to the contrary, which they have thu
he publicly admitted they know to b
80 wrong on he vital and only question c
nv the day. The amount of the majority a
ny the September election in Vermont ma
his be OF much significance. 1t may inspirI
an or may discourage those who in thei
other fields are bearing the burden an
heat of the fight tor the right. | wis
my vote, since can contribute nothin
:. else, to be so cast as to count for tn
~ most it can wherever it is counted.
IN And if my voice which does not troubl
of them often and will not trouble Their
,+ long, should reach any of those wit
whom | have stood for SO many years i
Ut exertions that we have right to cIair
he were disinterested because in our ow
of State they were always hopeless, shoul
wv say to them stand as you have alway
:. Stood for what you believe to be RICH
he and for the best interests of your cour
or try. Let no man cajole you out of tina
he proud consciousness, or lead you to bio
iii a record that is your children's best ii
heritance."
Id Excuse, my dear sir, this long lette
a which | have no time to make shorter
a. and believe me,
- Very sincerely yours,