The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-03-06
nEE9 For the Spirit Of Democracy.
TO THE PEOPLE OF OHIO.

Friends and fellow citizens:
4a.l .la.t The advocates, Of the new
and amelorated order Of things, pro-
pose not only TO reconstruct our ju-
dietary system SO as TO adopt it to our
numbers, wealth and circumstances;
but to change the appointing power, to
take it from the assembly and vest it in
the electoral body at large. 1t may be
asked, are the people at large safe
depository of such power9 Are they
capable Of making wise and discreet
choice Of judges! Long reflection
has brought the subscriber to the con-
clusion that they constitute the best
possible depository Of the power in
question.
No abject flattery Of the people is to
be expected from my pen. 1t will re-
fuse 10 write when forbidden to EN-.
ploy the language of manly boldness
and freedom. Dem ocrats cannot write
in courtly phrase; when fellow citizens
consult together for their mutual hap
piness and welfare, fawnIng and sub
serviency would be truly disgusting
Having promised thus much let us en-
quire what qualities are desirable in
the appointing power. Honesty Of in
tention is one Of the principal. Now
,hisquality we may always expect in
the public at large. 1t can have no
interest in doing wrong. An indivd-
ual cast on desolatc island or other.
wise separated from all his species
could have no interest in defrauding or
wronging himself. The situation of
great communItyis precisely analogous
to that of the individual in the suppo.
sed case. 1t Constitutes great, aggre
gate, political person subslsting on its
own means and incapable of increas-
ing those means by practising fraud
upon itself. Men are sometimes tempt.
ed to do wrong, because while they
perceive the general tendency Of their
actions to be injurious to mankind,they
vainly hope for a balance Of advantage
to themselves. The great public, in
the nature of things, can never be SUBJ
ject 10 any such temptation. We may
therefore lay out of the question all
intentional sin committed by the peo-
pie in the matter Of elections. We
have nothing to deal with but their err
rors and mistakes. We have nothing
TO guard against but the arts and in
trigues of demagogues and designing
men. Now this perfect probity of the
appointing power is great point gain
ed. Honest error is less pernicous
and less 10 be dreaded than dishonest
intention. l say perfect probity, for
slth Rough few voters may and will no
doubt be influenced by sinister and in
direct motives,yet majority can never
labor under such influence. And even a
large part OF the corrupt few may vote
for the right candidate from wrong
motives so as to secure the prepond-
erance TO the honest and undeslgnlng,
who will immeasurably ou,number the
former description OF characters. The
very worst motives which can be ex-
pected to operate are, kindred, family
connexions, personal or sectaran Ia
vorilism. PecunIary bribery IS a
crime unheard of in our country. The
little squad Of electors in an English
borough may sometimes be bribed, but
what mine of Golconda or Peru would
be sufficient to bribe the host Of free.
men in one of our judicial districts?-
Universal suffrage is the true remedy
for direct bribery and corruption. 1t
may be further remarked that where
that most sordid and loa,hsome species
of corruption prevails the prizes are
worth the purchase-here we have
none such. Our best places are not
worth buying.
As to partizan feelings the case can
not be worsted. Party Spirit is onip-
otsnt with our present appointing pow
er. Its sway cannot be extended by
chsnge.
II, therefore, it shall appear that