Year: 1878

northern men who stay away from the
ballot boxes, and don't take interest
enough in the affairs of the country to
vote, do not wake up some fine morning
and lind they have slept quietly while
the enemy was fastening on the shack
les, | am mistaken in my estimate of
the ability of the south to carry out its
intentions. The lesson learned by the
war will not be forgotten, and they will
profit by it, consequently, I am sur.
prlsed that they do not at once intro
duce bill to pension all southern SOL
diers. and that bill when it does come,
will, most likely, take this shape: to
pension south as we'll as north, or more.
Then all damages done by war will be
ordered paid and then they will claim
pay for all property taken from them,
and that property means four millions
of human beings. Perhaps, after the
states which furnished men to put down
one rebellion, have been taxed until
ready to cry out ''blessed is he who hath
nothing" they will rouse and cry, stop
thief, as they did in 1860 when Lincoln
was elected. They have my earnest
wishes that it won't take five years of
bloodshed to do it.


Of course the corruption of the repub-
lican party is largely responsible for the
present condition of affairs, but have
never yet been convicted that because
one man or one set of men disappoints
us it is best to turn about completely
and play into the hands of those we
know beforehand will prostitute the re-
public. A more sensible way seems to
me to stick to the principles we believe
to be right and look carefully for honest
men, who represent those principles, and
are able and willing to fight for them.
We cannot afford to go backwards and
if the Republican party is. as l believe,
the party of progression, then the princi-
Piles of that party are the ones to sus-
tain. Thank God, Vermont never gave
Atkins rooster the shadow of chance
to crow, and her representatives, if they
say anything at all. usually speak for
the right. Edmunds is probably as
able man as there is in the Senate; a
little slow, l think, not easily fired, but
of a deliberative turn of mind which,
with the aid of his keen legal talent,
weighs every matter well and when a
decision is reached he fights well, vast
ing no ammunition but sending every
stroke where it will tell. He made a
manly, able fight over the senatorial
question of South Carolina, and was de-
feated because Senator Patterson and
Conover were not brave enough to vote
as their known duty bade them, and SC
Butler was seated as senator, man
who, if he is not an assassin, certainly
there must be no such thing known IL
the law. I rejoiced at Edmund's plucky
fight, but I could but feel that, had he
woke up to the necessity of such a de.
termined course two years ago, wher
Pinchback, from Louisiana, was trying
to get his seat, victory wonld have been
easily won then, and the necessity for 9
renewal of the fight this winter, would
have been obviated. Intellectually strong
as he is, virtually leader in the Senate
he will never come so close to the hearts
of the people as will Senator Morrill,
for Edmunds is stern almost to severity
when approached, while Senator Morrill,
no matter how heavily matters of state
may press upon him, is always kind anc
willing to listen to those who have bust
ness to bring before him. He is hare
worker, able, earnest and honest, Away
at his post, never negleetful of even th'
most trivial matters which demand hi
attention. Vermont is particularly for
tunate in her Senators, for the qualitie


which are lacking in one, are made u
by the other. and equally able, the.
form as powerful working team as tn


Green Mountain State could ask for.


hope this will be understood by the peo
pie sufficiently we'll. to put stop to al
Interference by politicians, for the


cannot afford to make any change Will


they have two such representatives. Il


order to crafty the political aspiration


of as many as possible, districts are ap


to change their representatives so FIRE


quently, that there are seldom over


bakers dozen of men in the lower hous


of Congress, with brains backed b


experience, sufficient to enable them t


make anything like fight when tn


wire-working, intriguing. advocates Q


dishonest measures undertake to put


bill through. A man needs to hav


years of training in that very school be


fore we becomes familiar with all th


by-paths which men with an axe t


grind tread, and that familiarity j


necessary to enable him to circumspec


their representative to four or even 81


years, how can they expect to have thel


come up to the work like old head


which have grown gray serving the


state :? Find able, honest, keen men an
| nnca aloatod hovo than, understand fhs