The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-07-22
For the Honor of Vermont.

Editor Of Watchman:-I notice In the Free
Press of July II an article headed, Work
for Vermont Republicans to Do" In IL are
these words, 1.-THE republican candidate
will be the next governor Of Vermont
whether the republican majority In Septem-
Der is 10000 or 10000" AS / read the
clause, the words Boss Tweed in the palmy
days OF his power, came to my mind. Is
there any great difference bet ween the Free
Press meaning and that Of Tweed's when
he, thinking he had the power and votes to
carry through anything, instead of taking
the trouble to disprove or even to deny
charges OF bribery and fraud, defantly
asked, What are you going to do about it2"
Further on in the article the Free Press
says: The republicans of Vermont must
now be fully aware there is work to do IL
the state is to retain her proud place at the
head OF the republican column" Now,
Mr.. Editor, as | view it, the proud claim
of Vermont is that the people rule; that no
| man or combination of men can buy the
franchises of her sons that any man who
| asks for those franchises must oe free from
faint OF bribery or corruption. He must
not only be free from all evil but likewise
from all appearance of evil Yes, indeed,
| the republicans of Vermont should be fully
aware that there is work to do If the state
is to retain her proud place in history.
One other thing | notice in the aforesaid
article. II says all have acquiesced in the
result at the state convention, with one
notable exception" Can it be possible that
| in this liberty-loving state there is but one
newspaper TO champion the cause of pure
| politics? Then indeed is Vermont in need
of more WArcHMEN to guard the honor Of
| the state we love.
Ask that old hero of Vermont's early
| struggles almost under the shadow of
whose tall monument the said article was
written, what we shall do. Methinks his
| reply would be: The honor of the state of
| vermont stands far above the qualification
Of the ambition of any of her sons. In the
| the name of the Great Jehovah, let Major
| Circuit demand an investigation, and either
| disprove this story of foul manipulation
| of caucuses and delegates by himself or his
| friends for him, or step down and out.
Let no republican turn to the democratic
camp, for, by so doing, he would reap sor-
row and desolation of spirit. The demo-
| Gratis have sown the wind and are now reap
| ing the whirlwind. Neither should any re-
publican stay away from the polls or refrain
| from voting for governor. And when he
| votes let him remember the oath he was
Obliged to take before he could claim the
| honor Of being a full. fedged Vermont free
man. See Section 81, Chapter g Constitu-
ton of Vermont: " You solemnly swear Tor
affirm) that whenever you give your vote or
suffrage touching any matter that concerns
the state OF Vermont, you will do it so as in
your conscience you shall judge will most
conduce to the best good of the same, as
established by the Constitution, without
fear or favor Of any man."
The preservation of the honor OF Vermont
transcends all party interests. The republi-
can party of Vermont should be strong
enough to purify itself and cast out all faint
of dishonor. Respectfully,
GEORGE NJ FLETCHER.
Moretown, VT, July II.