The Disastrous Nomination of Thomas H. Brents

One of the leading Republican delegates to the late Territorial Convention remarked: 'I have always taken pride in the boast of Republicans that their party embraced by far the largest share of the intelligence and virtue of the country; but I will never have the heart to set up that claim again after the nomination of Thomas H. Brents as a representative of the intelligence and virtue of Washington Territory.' The editor of the Post—the most respectable Republican paper on the Sound—who was himself a delegate, editorialy denounces the convention, repudiates his obligation to support the nominee, and declares he will support the Democratic nominee if he is satisfied with the man. Two years ago, we helped to swell the majority then given to Mr. Brents. We knew that Brents was, intellectually, the smallest specimen of humanity which ever held a seat upon the floor of Congress, but greatly overestimated him when we expected he had common sense enough not to make a public exhibition of his asinine propensities and thus bring contempt upon his constituents. His first public effort as a delegate was a feeble partisan speech notable only for vituperation. To return him to Congress would be endorsing and consenting to our own shame.