Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-06-13

odious to every other honest man in the
Il may well be asked at the outset by
what standard such a proposition is to bo
regulated. We have all heard ofthe peda-
gogue's toast at rustic festival-"The
three RS" And when being called upon
for an explanation, he complacenly ex-
claimed-~Reading, Riiing and Rithme-
tic !" Now, under the sagacious prohi-
bition OF Massachusetts, was that man en-
titled to vote Is it to be a part Of the
duty OF judges OF election to swear every
man whether he can read and write when
he eomes up 70 vofe3 Or i. he 10 read
q asIasr a gne Bfslg, ar6 vritua a segsst
passage, for the edifcation Of the chal-
Iengers5 We should ike to know the
mo3as operaaai of the affair. The next
Legislature, Of course, will add tie very
essential qualification to such an esthetic
style Of aristosracy, that every man shall
spell. For what is reading and writing,
without photography? Aud then there
viii be a glorious demand for Webster's
dictionary. In some communities, how
ever it is proof Of aristocracy 10 spell
after fashion quite independent of such
ching as n dictionary. And we have
heard Of and seen well authenticated in
stances of men who have made their
mari" in the world, whose ''hand-of-write'
would not only puzzle a Mas achusetts
Judge of election, but two hours after it
came from the pen would tax the ingenu-
ity Of its author to pick his way through
it without frequent and serious haltng
aud confusion OF words We should like
to know if man who can't read his own
writing is aqualified voter underthe aris-
tocFatic prohibition of Massachusetts.
But why not carry out the prohibition
against anything short of a classical edu-
cation? Because the majority would be
on the other side, and the classics would
presently be disfranchised under the old
spirit of retaliation. If the number who
cannot read and write had been greater
than those who can, at the present day,
we should have heard nothing of this pro-
hibition. Popular sentiment would have
been the other way, and for the sake Of
The votes it would have been considered
as rather primitive and honorable to be
destitute Of such accomplishments. At
all events very good excuse would have
been found for-the majority. Other
wise the majority might have laid the
prohibition upon those who can read and
write and there would have been a pretty
frolic over the alphabet.
We do not hesitate to denounce such
prohibition as this Of Massachusetts. It
is infamous. The pretence on which it is
trumped up is utterly frivolous. Is it to
be presumed that all the political stuff
that is written aud printed is read by
those who can read? If not, how can it
be made quite certain that everybody has
seen everything that this politician of the
other thinks he ought to see?
In our country there is no topic Of pub
lie interest that is not thoroughly dis
cussed in every mans hearing. The hus-
tings, the stump, and the ready, fluent
orator are everywhere. No man, though
he should never haveseeua a book or news
paper, or pen and ink need be ignorant
Of any matter pertaining to the policy Of
! the age.
It is desirable that every child should
Be educated, doubtless. It's the misfor-
tune Of those who are not. But if pro-
hibition Is designed TO operate as lash
TO whip men into reading and writing, il
I Is the most odious, and extremely obuox-
lous to the broad principle Of equal rights.
Some may fancy that it is indispensable
( 70 a proper exerei4e Of the right Of suf-
ifage, that a man should 60 TO this church
or the other once q Eeek. What Is the
rcme1y-pr0hibiiion> OLher may deem
q competency ueee arg for tde Prezerga-
ton Of Tie pari,yof lie ballot box against
bribery. What IS ibe reaoarce-proAi-
5i.ioaf Thus it Is easy to steal power
from the many 70 the few. And some Of
those who at tie suggestion Of their pride
Or prejudice irikeat an iaferiorilgin in their
.aeigibor's to-day, may Gnd . defect in
themselves ihe sufficient cause for a fa-
isd tap from the mace Of prohibition To-
morrow.
g. All mankind are haTpier for lay-