Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1860-03-29
For the Republican.
TIE APPROACHING. CAMPAIGN

There are certain characteristics connected with
our political divisions which, in my opinion, are
productive Of great evil Different men are pos
sessed of different views and lock at things from
different st md points. For this we should
not Judge harsly of our neighbor because his SEN
timets do not coincide with our political opinions,
and he. consequently. does not follow out the die
tatcs of our own will and conscience. Suppose,
for instance. tina. own a farm. l go 10 work and
lay my plans as to the best manner of cultivating
it, and in accordance with them proceed to its cul
ture. But. perhaps. just as am ready to SOW the
seed, neighbor A. comes along. and after few
preliminary remarks, inquiries what am going to
plant in such piece of ground answer. in
tend putting that in corn. "Well. sir" says he,
ssyou had better summer fallow this, sow such
in oats, aud plant in such field, then you
might expect 60 reap a rich harvest. And for
the simple reason that do not choose to lay aside
my own pl ms an executed his, he gets angry and
abuses me. Would not come to the conclusion
at once that he was very unreasonable mani
should and it woul be just conclusion.
Turn then to the political field. Go back with
me to 1856, and who cannot remember instances
where friends AMI shbors met with kindly saluta
tons, but before parting political fire had consun-
ed all friendly feelings ever existing between them
Insult followed contradiction, and brute force was
employed where reason had proved unavailinS.-
Inconsistency is connected with fallable man, ex-
ternally and internally. There seems to be prin-
ciplc in the natural mn which leads him to attempt
to compel his fellow bow the knee at his pleas
L. I~.x all .lo.-s.o
characters of their ncighbors and build upon the
ruins thereof. Injuries once received are never
E rgotten- In the circle of my acquaintance are
men whom political acrimony made enemies four
yeas ago. who for years had been the best offrends
The ch-rds of ri ndsp then burst asunder still
dsuni,ed and the enmity then created will perhaps
always find place in their hearts.
During the campaign Of 1856 watched eagerly
the movements ofboth political parties. Twas not
entitled to a vote. not being at that time old
enough. My political theory not being fully es-
tablislied cndcavored to catch the most prominent
ideas IN ,intaincd by each party, in order to more
fully comprehend the grand issue between them
An anxiety to closely observe the movements of
each party then awakened in me which yet
remains undated. Ny political views have at
length been established in my mind. but if can
control my feelings, nothing shall induce me to
indulge in those heated words, accompanying which
the strongest arguments fall powerless to the
sroand, and which, in the excited campaign of
1856, awakened dscord between friends and neigh
bors. We may be established, that is, we may
lay claim to principle, and endorse the sentiments
enunciated 10y the author lied sxponcnts of some
party. and argue mildly, calmly, and dispassonate-
Iy with neighbors. If we eve. produce any
change in their minds it will be by thus reasoning
with them; convince them Of their error, then, il
they are honest men, the change will be effected.
The rallys. the stump speeches, the money ex-
pended by the various candidates, the billingsgate
and vitupcration dealt in, and the time wasted, in
our excited political campaings, all are, in the end
sabvcrsirc Of free government, whose existence de-
ponds upon the free exercise of an unbiased judg-
nent by those participating in elections. Multi
tudes assemble to hear the party orators. The to-
per TO his dram shop, takes the enemy into
IFS mouth which steals away his brains. raises up
against his neighbof and frequently the cry of muir
der is heard on these occasions.
We now turn 70 cur institutions Of learning
What bearing ard influence do they exert over the
young. viii give my views as l have gathered
them from certain occurrences that have transpired
under my own observation Not fifty miles from
the place where reside in the year 1856 was Local
ted prosperous and iourishing school. It was
not to be surpassed by any in the township but since
that time it has been On the decline. Look at il;
here are those who are expected to illuminate our
Republic deprived Of the means and privileges of
instruction. without which no Republican govern
ment can loug exist and flourish. And why all
thisa or the sole purpose Of gratifying or Cutting
their vengeance on their felow-man, whose politi-
cal sentiments do not accord with their own. I'm
agine yourself placed as instructor of school in
district where such absurd and erroneous ileas and
feelings have full sway. Whilst visiting -FOUR
scholars at their homes, you dare not express
your political sentiments even in the mdest terms
If you do, you are threatened with dismissal.
have seen this strife carried to such an extent that
IL an applicant for the leadership expressed his
political sentiments in advance of the school meet
ing, the vote for and against employing him would
be n strictly of party character as IT, he we're
candidate for President of the United States. 1t
the Director recommended to the Trustees teach
the party opposing the Director politically would
call meeting and rcmonstrate, or If already en-
ployed, discharge him What must be the feelings
Of dat INSTRUCTOR. Adagger is plunged into his
character. Ms progress m his profession is retarded
whilst he Is guilty Of nothing save free exercise
Of thought 1vi vs'4 frroie s'ssfieisoH
The political excitement which has CONFUSED
he - r1f~ - A. -