Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-05-18
4 rlcn for Iinncst roliilrs.

We heartily commend aud cndvrs, aud urge
upon the attention of all whom we can inilu-
ence, the following plea from the Springfield
Republican, in lchalr of honesty in political
life. In our own State affairs it is true, hon
csty and disntcrcstcdncss arc by no means
unknown, or unrcgardcd. We have no state
Offices the pay for which would induce any
man to leave Il very moderately successful
business, and in general our Vermont politics
arc less mixed up with, and made up Of cor
ruption, than those of many larger and wealth.
thier States but in our own State and local
political contests, the dcvilish motto" All
is fair in Politics, is quite too often the rule
Of action.
Now is a fitting time, when parties are
chaotic, and old prciudccs are washed away,
to make an effort in behalf Of political moral
ity. The dcvilish motto, " all S fair in poll
ties" has been too generally conceded and
men who hold their social and business integ-
rty as II pearl without price, practice u code
OF morals in their'political operations. fatal to
everything like mutual confidence or general
respect, and fatal, too, in its ultimate inhu-
encc to all hopes Of a permanent republican
ism. Rascahty and politics have almost come
to be synonymous, and the man who can best
lie and cheat for his party s Advancement, or
his own personal promotion, is tho advancing
sun in the political armament, towards whom
all faces are turned in alteration and adula-
ton. And clergymen certificate such as of
good and regular standing in their
churches and religious papers glccfully
boast that they arc devoted worshipcrs in
the village orthodox church. or mayhap. in
this particular case, an elder of tn, Mrtho-
dists, or deacon among the disciples Of
John the Baptist.
Have we not had something too much Of
| this May we not hope that the present
will be regarded as fitting time to inaugu-
rate a new code of political morality We
have broken away from oldcn ties, aud load
ers, and organizations. Few have establish
ed new connections. May we not and should
we not insist, as the basis of any that We
shall make, that a more decent regard shall
bc paid to the moral fitness of things. in the
practices Of our political organizations, and
in the means which they and their cindi-
dates shall take for the promotion of their
success Is 1T attempting too much to
struggle for such an end Surely, the com
mon honesty OF the republic has not sunk as
/ loT as that. Of what use are our daily
PRAYERS, our constant attendance ut church
our moral and l-ious instruct to our
cAiiGrcu. oJH u,-.rr-t 9td cruj.uau.i,n ,'.,
man who c"ul> IL in, business trdms.rii, u
our spurning vi the viper wLo. having been
warmed by our fire, turns about and stings
us by his venomous opposition, ii, when we
20 to the caucus or council chamber and to
the ballot box, we give the lie to all our other
preaching and practice, and intrigue and
/ deceive, and vote for men who do the same
who will abandon their party and their prin-
| ciples for the sake Of personal advancement,
who pretend to be what they are not, who
promise what they cannot and would not. if
/ they could, perform
But let us hope for a reform. And not only
! hope, hut struggle for one The times. MS we
have said, are favorable. Political ties are
/ loose. bond of union lies in the common
bo on%Sty r Of the people. Truth, Integrity and
platform broad enough to 'b%iid GI}FiSSa%! arc
are all agreed in theory and feeling to the
Importance of maintaining these elements Of
repuhlicanism. Shall we not unite to execute
them, and to frown down parties and men
who seek advancement at their expense' Let
it be once understood that these qualities arc
demanded-that no man can advance in the
confidence and support of the people, unless
he be true to them in deed unless he can
show a clean and unselfsh record, and a
healthier tone will at once be impaired to all
our political life. Honest men will multiply,
| when it is found that dishonesty and dcna-
gogueism do not pay