Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1902-04-03
For Governor Fletcher .. Proctor.

What constitutes a Nermonter2 Not
birth that is an accident Not mere
residence that may be simply ex-
ipediency. What does constitute a
NermOnter, then. but the keenest SYM
pathy with the Vermont life and Yer
mont institutions and day by day par
ticipation 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 Nermont's traditions,
who exemplifes in character her own
strength and her own weaknesses. who
lives the life of her people and aspires
70 their ideals. Is a Nermonter in the
truest and best sense of the word.
Partaking 10 the inmost fibre of its
being of this sentiment and sharing in
the anxiety Of the people OF this state
that the Vermont idea shall continue to
animate and inspire the government OF
this commonwealth, The Messenger
supports the canvass of Hon. Fletcher
ID. Proctor of Proctor for the Republic
can nomination for governor. Ii be-
leves that In so doing it is voicing the
underlying sentiment ofthe people of
Vermont. IL does not urge upon its
readers at this time the merits of Mr..
Proctor, nor the claims upon the Office
70 which his talents and his public
services may appear according to the
custom of politics to entitle him. In
TACT II does not look upon his canvass
as mere political move IN any sense
whatever. II believes that this issue
has taken loftier plane than mere
political eXpediency; that its roots are
IN the very soil that has nourished
Nermont's glorious past and from
which all her hopes of a glorious
future must spring that it is uues.
ton OF principles, not OF men. politi-
cal conditions here had reached that
situation when there was an unmistak-
able demand for third candidate for
the Republican nomination for the poy-
TO tail 10 read il In the sions |
of the times and the acts OF the people
was to lack discemment of human
nature TO shut ones eyes to il was the |
snpremest folly. Or. w. Seward
Webb recognized il, and, with the
true instinct of the man whose only re- |
gard for the proper desires of his fell |
low citizens is 10 see them accom- /
pllshed. Of his own accord has cheer
fully and manfully withdrawn from
the contest This underlying senti- 1
ment for a third candidate. born of an
intense loyalty 10 the traditions of
vermont, naturally seeks out that
man IN whom the qualities of charac-
.er and craftsmanship worthy of those
traditions are known to exist. There
are many such men in Vermont today.
nor will the grand old commonwealth 1
ever lack for them il Vermont be but
rue to the Vermont idea. But in
lines of political emergency Ike this
ne trend OF public opinion pursues the Il
Inc OF least resistance and points 10
nat man who, all things considered. is
ne most conspicuously available. The
Whole story Is told when the Messen-
ger says that, when the idea of a third
andldate was preached anywhere in
ermont, the popular mind instantly
eyerted to Fletcher ID. Proctor.
II Is not necessary to prove that he (
iIes IN Vermont and is a Vermonter.
No one can say that he has sought
ne Office save that because of his IN :
nstTy, so0riety and conspicuous merit I
ls lie has day by dav reminded his :
GLOW citizens that he was fit for it.
: 1T. Adams Messenger.