Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1859-01-27
THE BALLOT BOX.
Ter tis Fayetteville o5serper,

to your readers about few oil the |
most precious rights Of freemeu. /
intend no personal reflections, nor do
i expect to shoot at any party organ
izations, though some of both may
come within the range unless they
stand from before. Unless ] be stu
.pidiy indifferent TO facts transporting
in the face of our citizens. bold thnt
wo are winkiug at policy that is
soon destined to corrupt The sacred
ness of the ballot boz rs well MS the
right of trial By JaVy-two Of the
most precious rights Of fiecmen =
which were originally secured from
King Johu on the banks Of the
Runyme do by our fathers at the
expense of great treasure and blood,
The corruption Of the ballot boz is
enough 10 occupy this sheet. (The
abuse of the right of trial by jury
will be noticed in subsequent issue
Every one knows that in our country
the ballot box reveals the will Of the
sovereign people which will is fully
competent to ehange laws and con-
situations, state and federal, or ifneed
be to revolutionize the government
1t is thousand times more potent
in determining all questions submit
ted to it than the press, resolutions
of Congress, or even the cartridge
box of the nition. a pure ballot box
is both the power and the hope OF
the government. Bsteeming it then
as the birtbright only of ireomau,
shall we, lellow.citiz us, tamely sub
nit to such broadsiie inroads upon
its purity as are evarlastingly making
before our eyes by aspirants for our
suilfages2 Shall we sell our birth
right for mess Of portage? or pol.
lutte the sacredness of the elective
franchise for the sake of glass of
grog Every man that ask s you to
drink with him, not SO much us a
friend, but with the Interior object of
securing your vote, or who proposes
stalking money upon tho election Of
any candidate, is really asking you to
despise your own rights as retman,
and to prostitute the sacredness oil
the ballot box. Do you ask how |
come to this couclusion3 | reply
simply because such persons hope TO
gain an end ia n circuitous manner
which they dare not attempt in di.
rect way. The powers that be have
wisely fenced up the sacredness Of
he ballot box by penal statutes a.
gainst buying votes for money, $50 |
learn )but candidates want your votes,
and therefore they pander TO your
appetite that you may make asses of
yourselves, and then despise your
birthright. In what estimation will
your sons hold the act, If they do not Ell
Their conclude that the electoral fran
chise is a mean privilege when it is
parted with for tho contemplate con-
sideration of a glass of ''rot gut or
that you are unworthy The rich in
heritance that the treasure and blood
of our fathers won.
Before | have done, I have a word
with "treating candidates" and "bet-
ters on elections" Do you serious
ly believe that your method of innu-
encipg the ballot box is either honor
able or legitimate Do you really
wish to hold an Office 10 opposition to
to the sober judgment of your con-
Or do you really love
your country SO little that to secure
your own promotion you would tram
pie in the dust her most distinguish
ing and conservative institution?-
Would you have your fellow citizens
stoop to as low acts. to defeat your
promotion as you do to sap the ioun.
iations of our common beloved ooun.
Iry2 If not, then you will never a.
gain eith,r treat for votes nor bet on
IN election.
Let me also whisper in your ears,
hat If you have either merit or quail
n