Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1838-12-06
ELECTION FRAUDS.

On the first page of to.day's paper will be found
an article from "'Thc South Carolinian," which
contains some reflections worthy Of the serious
attention Of every patriot. Our republican in
situations are in the most imminent danger The
public morals are deprayed to an awful extent
Partzan zeal stimulated by selshness has con-
verted the government of the people into the gov.
eminent ofthe party in pOOer. Each party char
ges upon the other corrupt and selfish motives,
and each, to gain the ascendency, practices the
very crimes against which they preach. Public
virtue and common honesty are looked upon as an
tiquated concerns, unsuited to the Improvement
of the times, and are thrown aside as carelessly
as piece of old fashioned furniture. This
wretched state ofatiairs has been brought about,
in part, by the system of rewards and punish
ments, which has been praotSed by the govern
ment by way of redeeming the promises of re-
form and retrenchment. By this system money
has been exalted above honor-selfshness above
principlo-and as a natural consequence, the in
terests of demagogues and ofice-seekers are more
nearly connected with'the success of their party
than the welfare of their country. The success
of party, is looked to by political aspirants as a
means of acquiring wealth. Political honTs are
furnished by a grovelling and sordid desire of
gain. The Offices of this far.iamed Republic,
which should be (and once were) considered
''posts of honor" are now esteemed for their
salaries only, and are battered for with the cal
culatng speculation of a stock obber. Patriot
hui hue
ians,and with them craftsmanship is evinced on
ly by cunning management & successful intrigue
There are no doubt many honorable exceptions
to these views, but the Developments of the
last year prove, that they are generally but
too true. 1t will be the painful duty Of him who
records the events of our day pollutc the pages
Of our country's history with the deialcations of
public functonares-the corrupt use of the pub
lie treasure-bribery- in elections and ey-
ny species of crime which marks the decline of
public Uirtue. Such being the lamentable cond-
ton of our country at present, it is the imperative
duty ofthe good citizen and the good man to ex-
ert his influence in staying the desolating tide of
corruption, ere it sweeps away every pillar in the
temple of Liberty. The purity and freedom of
elections is the first principle of repubcansm.
This principle has been most violently assailcd,
and probably criminality is not confined to any
particular party. If the elective franchise is not
preserved pure and free, our institutions must
go down. Nations ever have and ever will seek
rcpose and safety in despotism, from the horrors
of a republic, which has dwindled into anarchy
or mobocracy by corruption in its management
and such will be the condition of our country
when the objects of the elective franchise shall
have been thwarted-when its substance shall
have departed, and it remains only in name.
What then is the remedy2 1t is not to be found
in! any regulation that relates merely to the mode
ofvoting. We are partial to the ballot system.
In times Of high party excitement, the uiua uoce
method of voting is too apt to produce the aliena.
ton ofpcrsonal friends, and give rise to bicker.
ings and breaches Of the peace 1t may encour.
age an independent spirit; but that independence
which is purchased by the unnecessary sacrifice
of friendship, and the disturbance Of the social
feelings of neighbors, is not conducive to good or.
der, or good government The remedy is with
the people. Unless public sentiment be set open.
ly and firmly against frauds in elections, legisla.
lion can effect but little. Whieany party winks
at corruption in their own ranks, il is in vain that
they proclaim the faults Of their opponents, or call
legislation TO remedy the evil. But to produce
the cure, public sentiment must be assisted by
legislation. We are inclined to the belief that
the purity and freedom of the elective franchise
depend much on the structure Of society and
nothing has more salutary influence in proserv-
ing and protecting this first principle of republi-
canisn, than a well regulated system Of domestic