The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-06-01
As to "Swapping Horses"

The subjoined communication, re-
printed from the st. Johnsbury Ne,os,
would seem to indicate that there are
some people within the confines of
General CIRCUITS immediate political
preserves who have become rank here
tics as to the Importance of this particu-
lar "horse in the national legislative
team. Here is what st. Johnsbury
paper prints from one Of these skep
tics,-and it is evident that he is one
of many others:
Mr.. EDIToR:-In the contest now waging
for the congressional nomination, the sup
porters Of Congressman Grout are forever
insisting we should not "swap horses while
crossing stream"
This familiar expression Of Lincolns, the
generals friends undertake to use with the
force it would have if President Mckinley
or Secretary Long were the subject instead
of one of $50 representatives, and one, more
over, who is not, either in influence or posi-
ton, particularly prominent in the present
war.
General CIRCUITS present term does not
expire until next March, and his successor
will take his seat the December following.
We all hope and expect the war to be closed
long before then, and, il the generals pres
ence in Washington is absolutely necessary
for carrying on the contest, he will have full
filled his duty in that regard before next
March.
'But is Grout wheel-horse" or a
"leader" in this war? Can he fairly claim
for himself a comparison with Abraham
Lincoln?
Where. in this contest with Spain, has
he yet exhibited his power and influence
over the destinies of the nation? Let US
look at the record, 80 far as the public
can. Some time after the maine" was
blown up and before war was declared,
General Grout introduced in Congress
resolution declaring the independence Of
Cuba. This was in direct opposition to
the policy OF the administration, and in
view Of recent disclosures, seems ridiculous.
The resolution was placed upon the "cal-
endsr Of the house." where it now remains
and ever will.
A few days after Dewey's great victory.
circuit, the representative from Dewey's
own district, introduced resolution thank
ing the brave commodore and raising him
to the rank of rear-admiral.
One would almost suppose the situation
and General CIRCUITS long career in Congress
would have secured q consideration for this
resolution.
But this, too, went on to the calendar"
and has never come off. And when it
came time to act on the subject. Dingley of
Maine introduced similar measure, which
was passed. All this does not indicate that
the generals services are invaluable at the
at the present juncture.
Further than these two, what"war" meas
ures has Grout introduced stood sponsor
for or helped to pass? Gould not any other
good man have done as much as hep
Don't swap horses while crossing q
stream" but don't hesitate to trade off one
that has logged along sixteen years and is
not yet into the stream, especially II you can
make good trade. "a TRADER"
st. Johnsbury, May, 81, 1885,
Lincoln's much quoted maxim
should be practiced with the same dis
erection and regard for circumstances
that Lincoln himself observed. He did
not hesitate to swap horses even while
crossing some very deep streams, if the
emergency demanded an exchange.
In the West he snapped till Grant and
Sherman were evolved. In the East
he snapped Mcdowell for Mcclellan.
Pope, Mcclellan again, Burnside,
Hooker and Mead were snapped in
uccession-the latter between the
trampled shores of bloody Chan
cellorsville and Gettysburg, preceding
"the reddest day in history''--till the fine