The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-05-23
: For The Spirit of Democracy.

ago. or some private reasons we did
not publish il at the time. In looking over
some old papers last week, we accident
ally came across it, and have concluded
to give it to our readers.
II has been frequently remarked, that
after the toll and hustle of an exciting oc.
oasion has subsidized, men can easily dis.
Germ in their "reminiscences, whether thew
have been actuated by pure motives, or
have suffered themselves to be carried
away by selfinterest, or the qualification
Of a petty and -unwarranled revenge
Whether this is always the case or not. |
am unable to say; but have waited for
some time for the intense ardor and polit-
ical excitement. felt by the souereigns Of
the {" Banner County," previous to the late
elections, to subside, ere would address
them upon a subject Of vital importance.
Not that would arrogate to, myself su-
perior caPability to dictate to my fellow
sovereigns, but that | think that, during
the last ten years, an important political
principle has been lost sight Of, in man.
aging our affairs; one which, If not resus-
citated in good season, will lead not only
TO our ruin, but may drag into our wake
some Of the counties with which we are
politically associated; one which, if adopt.
ed by the other counties Of the state. and
practiced as successfully as it has been in
our own, would lead in short time to the
final overthrow Of all political, and with
it, all social organization! The enquiry
n naturally arises. What principle is it. for
want Of which our ruin is predicted? A
total disregard for The qualifications of
our public servants. For the last ten ye ars
| the disatfected Of one ofthe political par.
| ties of this county, have been schemlng
with the other great party, or the leaders
| thereof, for the overthrow OF the prominent
candidates brought out by the leading
party for election. This they have per-
feet right to do in this land OF liberty, so
long as they seek his dsfeat on account of
the superior merit or qualifications OF the
opposing candidate. But. sir, when their
only aud avowed object is, to electa man
THAT will be a perfect disgrace or bore"
to the leading party, then il is that they
lose sight of the best interests Of the CON-
munity in which they live; then it is tn at
they lose their title to the name, not only
| oi a patriot, but OF a good citizen.
Can any man say with clear con-
science, that am discharging my duty to
fmy fellow sovereigns and to my country.
when | am giving my support. politically.
to man totally disqualified, or at least
unqualified TO dischage the duties Of any
| office, in preference TO casting it in the
scale for man who is possessed OF all
the requisites-.'honesty and capacity''-
and both OF the candidates being of the
same political sentiments?
Will the qualification Of any party feel
ing. however great it may be, warrant us
in thus abusing that principle ;jus sufera-
gis) upon which the fundamental pillar Of
our free institutions is not only based, but
which is calculated, il rightly used and
carefully guarded. to preserve them un.
furnished through the rust. gathering ages
OF time? Is the obligation TO our fathers,
who have transmitted to us these free and
boasted institutions, thus to be discharged,
or is the debt we owe to posterity 10 be
trified with, or is j. thus TO be paidi Me-
thinks not. Mark the wretch who would
seek" thus to pervert this great privilege,
this firm prop TO our free Institutions. and
"hust him not, for Jud like, he would
sell his country for thirty pieces Of silver.
Yea. he would FIRE the very temple Of free
dom, all sacred as it IS, with torch stolen
from its altar" if he could thereby secure
the success Of some favorite party scheme.
or the election Of some unqualified candi.
date to an important Office, "that would
| be bore to the leading party"
Again, are the sovereigns Of this coun-
lty fully aware Of the effect that would be
produced, not only over the state. but over
successfully practiced as ii has been here!
| would fain hope not. That some have
acted under full sense Of their own per-
fdy, have no doubt; but at the same
time most men have thus acted, rather
Through spirit Of frolic or fun, withou,
taking into consideration the consequen.
ces that would be produced if the same
thing was carried on throughout,he Union
| But, fellow sovereigns, let me beseech
| Of you TO beware! "For the sun is moi
more sure to shine, the seasons TO roll, OF
the rivers to fow," than that if the same
system Of political bsfoonery that has
been to some extent successfully adopted
within the last ten years in the Banner
| County, = was adopted with the same sue
cess throughout The nation, that another
Nero would light his torch, not at the ,fu.
| nersl pyre Of a Roman, state, but at tina,
Of our own country, and make fiendish
revelry over the broken altar and demol-
ished temple oi Freedom. s.fs..s -
In a country like this, the proper recui.
sites for public servant should be ''hon.
| esty and capabiliiy." These are INSOFAR.
ably connected in good servant. Either
of them is useless without the other,--
Granting then, for q moment. the impos.
sibility OF elec,ing to an important office
in this county any other Than member
Of the so.called democratic party, would
ask. from whom should we fear the most
the man Of intelligence and moral worth
or the buffoon OF the same party. destitute
Of all those high and noble principle.
which should always be found in the ciii
zen2 .tat..s, ga.,i.4..;f ;..rst1 ~.
We leave these queries, then,. for the
! present. TO the calm, unexcited consider
alton, Of every sovereign, Of this county
/ a. ,bo;. eb Dhs