American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1858-08-12
Forths Lancaster Gazette,
nus,ea of Cftixens,

Dunes Of Citizens. n
The elective franchise, is a acted sefi
spOpsibiliiy. held by every frsN male, cil-lI
i1en of a republican gOverhuntnG Ills
duty to cast his vote. whenever, elections
ara held for officers of government. is
binding, and one which he cannot neglect
inuocently. But tn vote understendingly,
aud wisely in all cases. uubiasei BY party
dictation, is. as politics run now, not SO
easy to accomplish. as TO speak Nof. And
ye'. every electorsis bound by his allegi-
ance to his country. to cast his ballo, for
the man bestqushGed for the duties Of the
station. to which he is to be called; and |
who he believes, from the best means he
has of knowing. will be honest and faith
ful, in the duties assigned him. This is
the duly Of every voter; and he cannot
vote any other way. and acquit himssl'
honesty. oflis obligations as citizen of
free government And we must be per-
miltsd to say, that he who allows his de-
cision in exercising this sacred trust, tobe
Influenced in the slightest particular, by
prospective personal advantage, either to
himself or friends. other tEan the public
good; is unworthy Of the high trust; and
is justly chsrgeable. with the crime Of po-
ltical purgery. ...,are-
1t is no part Of our present intention TO
. dwell upon the various methods of bring
ing candidates before the people. by po-
liiical organizations. F or we know to
well. that political wire. pullsrs. demago-
: CUES, who are seeking their own promo
. tcn, and that Of their friends. cannot be
g reasoned with, spoils Of Office. being their
sole aim. And every speeirs Of cunningly
:, devised schemes. which can be coneoetsd,
:. and put into successful practice, to secure
s the triumph Of party. will be resorted to-
: Former experience, fully justiiies US in this
: remark. The most reprehenSible and cor
ruping practice, in making up ticket fol
the suffrage Of a party. is, the selection
+ exclusively, Of available men: often without
y the slightest regard to their competency,
|" or honesty. If the claims Of any named
" mao, were pressed before nominating
10 convention, purely, upon the grounds o
d his competency, honesty and (aithfulness
10 They would be. but minor consijerat ons
r. TIE enquiry would be. is be popular? vii
he work for the interests OF the party? vii
lie he, so far as his prerogalive serves him
favo, his political friends. TO the exclusio
ofall others, without any thought. as t
merit. or any kind OF worth. II the con
" vention shall be satisfied, that he possesse
~ ~ thu above iii shly commendable qualities
he is put upon the ticket; with loud acclf
u nations ofhis patriotism. and all otbe
'H qualities. requisite for the very man fc
W the people: and forthwith, the party re
40 spond all light. Unfortunately no: ofte
he stopping TO reflect, that these tickets. 8
C. made up, are the work Of political gan
n blerS. H
'% s Fellow citizens, this is prostitution
,lI your elective franchise. which is an inhe
Ier itance, purchased for you by the Llood
to your forefathers. But what is the rem
ar dy? That, is much esser stated, thi
en brought into practice. The first thing
Inv be done, should be, 10 declare every m
es. disqualified for Office. who solcits il.
his uses his personal influence, or that of !
',o' fliends to obtain IT, And it would
~" 49,. doubt, be very wholesome rule. 10 lot t
led compensation OF public offices be, W
ard done thou good and faithful servant;
my the gratitude, and appreciation Of his co
va y, sduents, measured by the amount of pu
Of lie good he may have done.
in. Electors, are 10 duty bound. to aoqui
mt competent knowledge, of the fitness
ey those for whom they cast their votes. b
-, l.. the selections OF nominating conventc
be. are by no means, always to be relied up
md Aud the opinions OF political editors. mu
ess SO; with few honorable exception
: Voter, whoever you are, vote for no m
,ers unless in your conscience you believe h
ven the best man, every way, without reg'
the to your party. HOMO
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