Orleans County Monitor

DOES MR. HENDEE DESERVE A THIRD TERM!

Mr. Hendee, as well as Mr. Hendee's friends, are asking that he be elected to congress because he has served only two terms, while his immediate predecessors served three terms. Precedent, in this matter, might be of considerable consequence, if all men were alike serviceable and worthy: but precedent ought to be nothing unless the aspirant merits an election. The district ought not to dishonor itself and shame the State by returning to congress a man who is corrupt, incompetent or derelict of duty. If Mr. Hendee has not made such a record in the first and second term of his congressional career as merits a return, it is impudence to undertake to foist himself upon the district a third time. The Rutland Globe published a statement, not long since, wherein it was shown that the member from the third district failed, in a great majority of cases, to record his vote during the last term of congress. The figures were presented, and the only apology that could be made by Mr. Hendee or his friends was, that he was absent on matters pertaining to the P. & O. railroad.

Mr. Hendee was sent to congress to represent one of the districts of Vermont: to look after the affairs of the district, the state and the nation, and, important as his services in looking after the interest of a few of his constituents living along the line of the railroad might be, his presence in Washington attending to his duties as congressman, was certainly of far greater consequence. This apology, even if it had in any measure covered the ground of complaint, was a lame one, indeed. Other papers have made charges against Mr. Hendee's record, which might be very easily refuted with the facts reversed. For instance, a Burlington paper says that his first term was a notorious failure. It would be worth while to show such statements to have been mistakes, if Mr. Hendee's friends were able to do so. Our readers have formed an unbiased opinion of the merits of our present representative, from a variety of sources, and so far as we are aware, are nearly unanimous in the belief that Mr. Hendee has not won for himself and his district such credit as merits a return to congress.

What speech on important matters pertaining to national affairs has he made, that had influence in congress or out of congress? What important measure has he originated? In how many important debates has he participated? Has his name or his fame been equal to that of other Vermonters, who have had like opportunities in Washington? Has he done anything, either at home or in Washington, that has made him a popularity that rouses an enthusiasm in his behalf? If these questions must be answered in the negative, then Mr. Hendee ought not to blame the Republican voters in this district, if they let him return peaceably to his pleasant cottage in Morrisville.

But Mr. Hendee is conceited enough to suppose, or unfair enough to state, that all the opposition that exists against him is inspired by selfish or malicious motives. He accuses men and members of the press of withholding support from him because he has not complied with their wishes in personal matters. To how great an extent this may be true, we have no right to say: but we do know that many honest, patriotic citizens of the district and State, have been sadly disappointed in Mr. Hendee, and desire, out of no malice toward him, but for the honor of the district and the good of the country, to have him leave the field open to other men.

Mr. Hendee's friends pretend that his nomination will promote harmony in the district, and be the means of rolling up a great republican majority at the coming fall election. We claim no inspiration as a prophet, but believe that his nomination at the district convention will result in one of two things: either a split in the party with two or more candidates, or the smallest Republican vote ever polled for a member of congress in this district. The Democracy will doubtless nominate Mr. Edwards; he will poll the entire vote of his party, and receive some support from the friendly Republicans of his acquaintance. Many lukewarm Republicans will not vote for Hendee's "third term," and hence there will be two reasons why his vote will be light, if he is in the field. Distraction or humiliation will result from Mr. Hendee's nomination.