Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1839-09-27
BW& e. i If q u o &c
FRIDAYMoRNING, sEprEM BER 81.
THE INQUiSITION.

THE QUiSlTlON.
Under preence OF cont estiug Mr., Eax-
ter's election, the government officials in
this town have been for the pas, day or
Two displaying their iu1ulslIorial propen-
sites in a strong light. To be sure they
have thus far accomplished nothing, but
they have manifested the disposition, and
demonstrated whit they ,ooud do, if pos.
sessej of power but, thank God, they
have it not. Their puny insoleDce is met
and promptly rcbuked by men who know
their rights, and dare MAINTAIN. All their
clustering will not drive q single freeman
from his ground, and their mpcrIinence
will be met MS it deserves
For The purpose of securing The indepen.
dent exercise of the elective franchise, and
TO protect the humble citizen against the
pcslifereus and overwhelming influence Of
Office holders and government menals, the
law has instituted the vote bv bal'o,-has
provided that the ballot shall bo closely
folded, and, as if to make assurance douby
cure, hos made i. a high mlsdemeanor for
the officer who receives it TO examine it
or know its contents. Indeed we dOUb,
whether a constable could with proprie,y
be made witness in a question Of the
kind, and quite sure we are that no high
minded man would covct the honor of
retailing the knowledge he nigh, thus
have fiched in defiance Of the spirit and
intention OF the law. And yet, strange to
saw, men ncknamng themselves tepubli.
cans. under preience of n,cstng an cleo
ton. claim the power to extort from the
unfortunate victim Of their wrath the very
secret the law has taken so much pains 10
guard. Ofwha, avail is the vote by ballot
if the day after ON election the voter may
be summoned before petty magistrate,
and under the pains and penalties of dun
geon compelled TO disclose uho he voted
Tor. ,chy he voted for him-'he color OF biz
political creed, and even the color Of his
ballot 1t is o mockery, cruel cheat
upon the honest man who ,couu act con-
scientiousiy, but dare not. Men about
whose right to vote there is no more doub
than there is about Mr.. Englesby's, have
been wsntonly called from their business,
impertinently ca,ecbsed about their pri>
va,e affairs, chi psulting'y odmon'shed
to disclose the sanctifed secrets of the
ballot box-and when like true iroemcn
they spurned the admontion and defied the
inquisitors, it was admirable indeed. to
end the 'rrustees of all the democracy in
this part of the country" urging resort to
the thumbscrcw and the rack Precious
democrats Glorious republiconism, this
Whatever may be thought OF this pro-
ceeding, one fact is too manifest TO escape
observation. II is evident that it is exclu
sively a government. affair. The office
holders are the prime movers and actors
in it. The Marsha dignl6es the occasion
with his presence, the custom house is alb!
represented, and the breakwuter agent
with HE three dollars day and five pc
cent commission, is in constant attendance
as prompter while the rank and file @
the party. opposed to and ashamed Of tn
reckless high-handed measures of thoi
would'be lenders, keep aloof ard shak
their heads. The people have got 10 crap
pie with this Hydra government influence
OF be devoured by it. Privilege, person
property, nothing lie too sacred.