Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-03-28
For Governor: r. D. Proctor.

Any man fairly well acquainted with
Vermont men and affairs, accustomed to
visit the various sections of the state
more or less frequently and to take per-
sonal observations of their local condi-
lions. brought into contact with repre-
sentatlves Of all classes of citizenship and
familiar with the drift of public opinion
has known for a year or more past that
the canvass for the Republican nominal
ton for governor was giving the people
of this state more anxious concern than
almost any other political event of recent
times 1t was an anxiety. concern, that
did not manifest itself in much talk or ex-
element 1t was rather of that intensity
of mind that is ominously silent indicat-
ing degree of earnestness too great for
superficial measurement. that must some
day before long, find vent in determined
action and that meanwhile grew upon its
own silence and awaited leadership.
There can be no doubt that during the
past year Nermonters have been lifting
up their eyes unto the green old hills
whence has come their strength these
many generations for some representa-
tive of the Vermont idea" i'm its highest
truest. noblest sense who should come to
sit in the seat of Thomas Chittenden and
be governor over the people. Nor can
this sentiment be ridiculed out of exist
ence by all the arts and rhetoric Of de-
signing politicians.
Let us make no mistake about this
Vermont idea Let there be no false
impression that it is a narrow. proscript-
i've bigotry of the soil, a rural clannish-
ness, a hidebound exclusiveness that
seeks to masquerade as a patriotic senti-
ment. Let no man be deceived by the art
full cry of politicians that the so-caled
Vermont idea is a stubborn content
ment with old fashioned men and old
ShiOnpd ch iy,f tod oil
ence to traditions and custom. and an OBJ
stnate rejection of new men. new meas
ures, new principles. and new possibilities
Let no man be deluded by the clamor
that the so-called Vermont idea recog-
nizes no men as Vermonters but such as
were born upon the Green Mountain soil
and withholds all public trust and honor
save to royal line of descendants of the
original Green Mountain Boys. All such
cries as this are but campaign confusion
ingeniously calculated to obscure the real
issue and divert popular judgment from
the main principle
What constitutes a Vermonter? Not
birth: that is an accident. Not mere resi-
dence; that may be simply expediency
What does constitute a Vermonter then
but the keenest sympathy with the YER
mont life and Vermont institutions and
day by day participation in the one and
support of the other. In fine, the man
who is born in Vermont and lives his life
here or the man who comes into Vermont
to live his life here, whose citizenship is
nourished by Vermont's traditions. who
eNemplifes in character her own strength
and her own weaknesses, who lives the
life of her people and aspires to their
ideals, is a Nermonter in the truest and
best sense of the word
Partaking to the inmost fibre of its be-
ing of this sentiment and sharing in the
anxiety of the neople of this state that
the Vermont idea shall continue to animate
and inspire the government of this COM
monwealth the Messenger supports the
canvass of the Hon. Fletcher d Proctor.
of Proctor for the Republican nomina-
ton for governor. 1t believes that in so
doing 1t is voicing the underlying senti-
ment OF the people of Vermont. 1t does
not urge upon its readers at this time the
merits of Mr. Proctor. nor the claims nm
on the office TO which his talents and his
pubic services may appear according TO
the custom of politics to entitle him. In
fact, il does not look upon his canvass AZ
mere political move in any sense what
ever 1t believes that this issue has taken
Iottler plane than mere political eX-
pediency; that its roots are in the very
SOIL that has nourished Vermonts glorious
past and from which all her hopes of a
glorious future must spring: that il is a
question OF principles, not of men. Poll
tical conditions here had reached that sit
uation when there was an unmistakable
demand for third candidate for the Re
publican nomination for the governorship
10 ran to read ii in the signs of the times
ana the acts of the people was to lack
discernment of human nature; to shut
one eyes TO II was the supremest folly.
Dr w. Seward Webb recognized it, and
with the true instinct of the man whose
only regard for the proper desires of his
Fellow citizens is To see them ACCOMPLISH
ed' or his own accord has cheerfullv and
manfully withdrawn from the contest
rms underlying sentiment for third cam
. didate. born of an intense LOYALTY TO the
traditions of Vermont naturally seeks
out that man in whom the qualities of
character and craftsmanship worthy of
those traditions are known to exist There
are many such men in Vermont to-day
nor Will the grand old commonwealth ever
lack for them If Vermont be but true to
the Vermont idea. But in times of poli-
ucal emergency like this the trend of pub
Tic opinion pursues the line of least re-
slstance and points to that man who. all
things considered, is the most conspicu-
ously available. The whole story is told
When the Messenger says that when the
ldea or a third candidate was preached
anywhere in Vermont the popular mind
instantly reverted TO Fletcher d. Proc
tor.
II is not necessary to prove that he lives
IN vermont and is Vermonter
NO one can say that he has sought the
oHlce save that because of his industry
sopriety' and conspicuous merit his life
mas day by day reminded his fellow citi-
zens mat he was fit for it.-[St. Adams
Messenger