Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1837-06-30

rec,ion. liked the idea 50 well, that got
her to write it for me, instead Of my doing
it for her.
Miss Mar,ineau is not disposed to flatter
the people among whom she travelled. -
She speaks in very ercathedra style of
our politics, morals and manners and dis
courses Of our public men of all parties
without the slightest regard of persons.
Amos Kendall, General Jackson, Mr..
Spraguc and Governor Everett-it is all
one with. Abo,ionisis and aboitlonlsm
alone seem to have attracted her undIvL.
dcd regard and admiration. We present
our readers with few precious specimens:
REPUBLICANS TAKING ON INTEREST IN pol.
In England the idea Of an American citizen
is Of one who is always talking politics. cam
wasting. busting about to make proselytes
abroad, buried in newspapers at home, aud
hurrving to vote election days.
There is another side to the subject. A
learned professor of Il western college told me
an abundance Of English news, but declared
himself lgnorant OF every thing that had pas.
scd ia the home portion of the political world.
He never took any interest in politics. What
would be the use of his disturbing himSef'
How far dose one mans vote go' H. does
more good by showing himself above such af-
fairs.
1t was communicated to me that there are
more modes ofpolitlcal action than one and
that though thus professor does not vote. he
uses his utmost influence with the students
OF his college in favor of his own political
opinions and with entire success. If this be
true, the gentleman falls short Of his duty in
one respect and exceeds ii in another.
A clergyman in the north was anxious to
assure me that elections are mere personal
matters, and do not affect the happiness Of The
people. 1t matters not TO him, for instance,
who is in Office. and what party in politics is
upprrmos,: He goes on the same to him. This
gentlemen bad probably never heard Of the
old ladv who said that she did not care what
revolutions happened as long as she had her
roast chicken and her little game at cards.
But that old lady did not live in republic.
or perhaps even she might have perceived
that there would have been no secunty for
roast chickens and cards. fall were to neglect
political action but those who want political
power aud profit. In q democracy, every
man is supposed to he his own security Tor
life and property; and if Il man devovcs his
political charge upon others, he must lay his
accounts for being so well taken care OF as he
muht be. So much for the selfish aspect OF
the case; the view which might have been
presented with Illustrations TO the old lady, II
she had happened TO live in republic.
The clergyman ought tn see further,
He ought see in virtue of office, how pnb
lie morals must suffer under the neg'cct
Of public duty BY respectable men lfsuch
men were 10 perform the duties OF ci''zens
as conscipn'ion-ly as they do those OF bus
bands. fathers, aud pastors, and leave It to
the knave- to neglect the duty OF citizen
ship. the republic might 90 on as we'll ms
republic with knavcs IN u can 60 on. Bn'
# the case is reversed, if the knnvcs are
eager 10 use their political rights for selfish
purposcs. and the conscientious IN other
RESPECTS are remiss in the duties Of citizen
shin. the pastors may almos, as well leave
off preaching. All good pastoral Influence
will be borne down hv he spread ct cotrnp'
ton. The clergy may preach themselves
! hoarse to little purpose, if they live. ant
encourage others to live. in the avowe(
ncuIect Of any ono relation; and the eXer-
else of,h suffrage is the frs, duty OF re-
publican citizenship.
A naval officer, q man Of an otherwise
sound head aud heart, told me very cooIlN
tina. he had never voted more than twice il
his life. His defence in answer to nv re
mons,rancc was. that he mad served hi
country in other ways. In as tar as 'hl
might be meant TO convey that he cou''
not vote a, New York when in India. lh'
excuse must be admitted MS valid but, |
| it was mean, 10 apply to elections gong al
before his ewes, it was the same as 1t HI
| had said, 'ihere is no occasion tor me Il
be a good father, because | have been
good SON"
A member Of Congress give me in
stances Of what would have been the mod
fica,ions of certain public affairs, bnt 70
the ana,hv Of the minority about the nS
Of their Suffrage. If citizens reGuIa'
their exerlons by the probabilities of i'm
mediate success, instead Of BY their faltI
in their own convictions, it Is indeed n
wonder if the minority leave every thing T.
their advefsaries; but this is not the wa
for men to show themselves worthy OF n
possession of political rights. This is no
the way that society has advanced. Thl
is not the way that security for life an
property has been oboincd for those idl
citizens who are now leaving that socnr'
to the mercy Of those whom they bc'ev
to be the enemies OF society.
A public man told me that it would be
great point gained, if every citizen couI
be induced to vote at least once year.-
So far is it from being true that all Amer
cans are the busting politicians that th
English have been apt TO suppose. IT sue
political hustle should be absurd the actuG
apathy is something worse. If it wer
i lat x.,las. i