Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-07-27
CFrom the Providence Morning Courier.
THE COMING ELECTION.

am plain man of business, Mr.. Editor,
and one of that very numerous class(as truSt)
in this community which holds in supreme
contempt all those who make trade OF poll
tics. have been brought up to think that
for the exercise of my right of voting ] am
answerable as strictly tn my conscience rs
for the exercise of any other of my rights
and that in my sphere am as much traitor
if neglect to vote in the coming election,
and to vote too, for the men who will best serve
the interests of the country, as if, being plac-
ed at the head Of an army for the defence OF
my fellow citizens, turned the power they
gave me against their liberties, or suffered
their liberties to be wrestcd away without
striking a blow to save them. Pray tell me,
is not the right Of voting part of the stew
nrdship Of every American citizen and if he
buries this talent in the ground-or, what is
worse, squanders it upon an unworthy object,
what excuse can he give to h,s country and
his God? For my part. ] never could under
stand how man who would trcmble to neg
lcct, a duty to his family can feel easy in the
neglect Of the high duty which he owes at
every election to the great family OF his
countrymen. ] hope to live until the day
when the duties of an American citizen in
this respect will be ranked. amongst the most
right principles enforced in our schools and
colleges as a necessary part OF the moral and
intellectual training of our youth. We cry
out against the slothful king Of whom we read
in history that he neglected his people-a-
gainst the wicked one who oppressed them
and some of the strongest denuncations OF
Scripture are made against careless and op.
pressive rulers. Yet under our system, is
not every one Of US ruler9 Has not every
one of us portion Of political power entrust-
ed to him? And can we find any better rea-
son or justification for throwing away or a.
busing our little power than we can Tor the
king who abuses or throws away the ie'tote?
hoye been led to this train Of rehecton
BY the thought that many men VINO perIect'y
well know that the country IS now sunering
the extremity Of financial distress IN great
part from misgovernment; will yet on parry
groaiids vote for the very men who nave oeen
instrumental in producing this distress. Is
this right? Can the country flourish can u
even hold long together If the citizens act ID
this way? ia plain case OF msgovornmeht
occurs and is to be persisted in to our rum
we, in speaking of our institutions, boast that
we can change our rulers and in new men
find a ready remedy. But is it not our duty
in such a case, Imedn each mans md uidudl
d,ty, to do his part at every personal sacrifice
10 change hsm-nnd is he not an enemy to
his country who when he secs her bleeding
at his feet from msrule will still goto the
polls and vote fpr the old rulers merely be-
scause he has voted for them before, and been
called their man? Is he not his cousfry's
man and his Gods man more tlian he Is any
maa's man? And can he hold up his head
before either, If he suffers party TO Sestroy a.,
his sense of what is best-wbat is Tight--ol
what 10 his duty2 a,
Jknow, Mr.. Editor, that this Is strange talk