Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-05-09
Duty and Politics.

1t is undoubtedly one of the highest priyi-
leges Of a citizen Of this Republic, to enjoy
untpammelled, the elective franchise. No
one should be willing to sacrifice this priv
lego, or forege its exercise, on light grounds.
Yet there are instances, in which duty may
compel a man to refuse to go to the ballot
box.
Every man owes It to himself and to his
country-he owes it to the past and to the
future generations, to investigate as far as he
can the science of government, To study es-
pecially the genius, character and principles
OF his own government, and to inform him.
self upon the various conflicting views Of the
different parties, and to select for himself, the
party with which he will act. This being
done, he is bound to sustain that party by
his votes, in so far as he can do it without
violating his conscience, or compromising
moral and religious principles.
With this view, mere partizans do not SYM
pathise, principles not men, is the motto
of party, and it is contepded that as a poll
tcian or party-man, every man is bound by
his fealty to party, 10 cast his vote for thu
candidates of his party, without regard t.
their social, moral or religious position
There are men who hold this sentiment, ant
avow it without blinking and yet it is evi
dent to every thinking, rejecting mind, tina
the observance Of this rule, is the grca
source of corruption in politics, and iffollov
ed hlindly, would endin anarchy and ruin.
In a sound state of society, void of polit
. cal demagegueism and corruption, it might
: a safe rule Or then parties would alway
: have regard tothe social and moral positio
: of their candidates. But at a time of polit
;, cal degeneracy like this, when scarcely an
: other claim is regarded except availabilit
it becomes a matter of serious interest
men Of good moral and social position, to ST.
y to enquire into the question, whether or n
they should or should not vote for this
} that candidate.
" Upon what show Of reason or propYie
eS can an infidel claim the SURFACES of a chr
ie tan man "a man void of truth or homes
- claim the support 0 fmen of stern integrity!
a debased, degraded debauehee and drur
- ard, claim the vote of a v~irtuous, sober c
zeng or a clustering promoter of intemp
= ance or a sly enemy, who drenches the Ii
with whiskey at elections, claim the g
:, will and support Of a temperance man
These are serious and important questions
They have occasioned us some thought in
anxiety to know what IS our duty, and
have long since settled them in our own mi
- But it is asked are we to ignore party
ny together? Certainly not. Again are We
eschew the ballot-box? By no means.
ty obliges US not only to vote, butt to exer
our rights and influence in the selection
proper candidates That portion osthe (
munity who enjoy social and moral post
have a right to be heard in their ~selectio
When they voluntarily refuse to excl
that right and give up the management
party matters to political managers I
whom they cannot rely, they violate
emn duty to themselves and the country.
that case, they must either vote for bad
inst suitable men, which they cannot consc
, or tiously do, or they must abandon the ele
for franchise. We therefore call upon tn
The tuous, honest, and sober portion OF the
the munity to look this matter full in the
1t and determine upon an inhexible and a
ne to course in the selection of proper candi
re is such men as you can sustain hearth.
gned conscientiously,