Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-08-17
An Open Letter to
Gen. William w. GrOut.

were one of the young men, Of the school,
student in the higher classes and old
enough to play the gallant to some Of the
girls, while l was youngster not yet in
my teens, but knew you very well, and we
have kept our acquaintance and friendship
ever since. l have watched your public
career and your personal success with pride
and satisfaction. l have always thought
you a good representative in Congress, and
have defended you as such. have never
believed in any of the attempts which have
been made to bellttle you and your record.
l have known you as a shrewd and success
full political manipulation, with an unusual
faculty for taking care of yourself, but l
have never suspected you Of any dishonest
or questionable methods. have believed
in you as a man and legislator, and the
only reason | have not supported you in
| your ambition to succeed Senator Morrill,
in the United States Senate is because /
think there are other men in the state. ex-
Gov. Dillingham; among them, who come
nearer to fulfilling the Vermont ideal of
United States Senator than you do.
1t is for these reasons that am surprised
at the recent developments in the senatorial
contest which is now on. When, early in
July, the Essex Record led off with its at
tack on the oleomargarine question, charg-
ing in effect that Governor Dillingham; op-
posed the interests of the farmers in the
legislature of 1884, and was the means of
killing bill intended for their benefit,
was taken aback. 1t was a new feature in
our Vermont politics, which have usually
been clean and above board. l wondered
where this attack originated. l did not
believe you were responsible for il or would
| countenance il l more than half expect
ed to see you come out and denounce it,
and wash your hands of it. But to my
surprise recent Developments have proved
that you are undoubtedly responsible for
the whole business. have myself seen
two different circulars which are being
sent broadcast over the state, retailing in
detail all the misstatements and half-truths
about Governor Dillingham; on the oleo-
margarine question, and know that these
circulars could not have been used with
out your knowledge and consent. You
are therefore responsible for them.
But this is not all, nor is it by any
means the worst, for there appeared in the
Burlington Evening News on Tuesday af-
ternoon Of this week an article, "Who
Pays the Freight" which seems to me as
villainous a piece of business as | have
ever seen used in political warfare. The
very next day this article was copied into
the St. Johnsbury Republican, your own
home paper and mouthpiece, in double
column and double leads, and endorsed by
the Republican editorially. l think publi-
cation was made in the Republican before
the News could have reached St. Johns
bury and the article have been thus copied
and commented on. It looks to me as
though the article must have been fur
nished the Republican independently OF
the News, so that you or your friends
were directly responsible for it. The arti-
Gle is very carefully worded, written or re-
vised by shrewd lawyer as l believe, to
prevent it from being libelous in a suit al
law. What it charges by insinuation is
that Governor Dillingham; is the agent OF
the "oeomargarine trust to prevent the
enactment of legislation controlling the
manufacture and sale of that product. II
charges that he is pledged to oppose any
such legislation if elected to the United
States Senate,-but far worse than this, il
charges, in effect, that the millions OF
money of the "oleomargarine trust" are al
the back Of Governor Di.lingham's candi-
dacy in this state, and that this trust
money is being used as great corruption
fund TO secure his election.
You know perfectly well, General, thai
there is not a word of truth in any of this
You know, moreover, that it is absolutely
false; that it is manufactured out Of whole
cloth; that Governor Dillingham; is nc
more the agent of the oleomargarine trusl
than you are; that he is no mole foe tC
the farmers and no less a friend to then
than you are. You know that, if elected
to the United States Senate, he would usC
his best judgment and best efforts to pro
mote the farming interests of Vermont ant
: of the whole country. You know perfect
| ~ well LudL uOL a uOlldI Ol OuAslut ulOutl
is being brought into Vermont from tn,
ole omargarne trust or from any othe
source, to aid Governor Dillingham; in hii
canvass. But you are using this charge
for effect on the farmers to try to max,
= them think that Governor Dillingham; il
their enemy, while you pose as their great
est friend.
Such methods are unworthy of you.
think they are blemish on your good rec
ord. 1 am sorry you have adopted them
=, 1t looks to me as if you had become fright
ened over the prospect of your success, ant
were hitting out in this wild way. As
personal matter beteewn us two, in behal
. of clean political methods in Vermont, il
the kindest possible way, and without an,
I, intended breach in our personal friendship
l tell you this thus frankly and openly.
Yours truly,
> o. L. FRENCH,
> Editor of The Phoenix.
v P.S print the News article herewith
: in full so that our readers may know jus