The Texas Republican. [volume] (Marshall, Tex.) 1849-1869, 1863-06-20
EXTRACT OF A LETTER OF HON. MuR
RAN TO A FRIEND ON THE MORAL
OBLIGATIONS CONNECTED WITH The
RIGHT OF suFPSkGE


With our system Of government We are still
satisfied. This Is evidenced hy the 1ct that ehea
the separation from tie United states took place
We stu adhered 30 II, and We claim to lie hTl ting
for IT. ptc-eyaii0n The government Wa Oh.
solved then not because Of inherent defects In IL.
organization, but was brought about by abuses 10
IL administration, ard by the manner aud rat
poses for which Il was controlled. This fact
disposos TIE mind 90 serious thought aud shoui
cause ur as people TO question closely cur praC
tees In relation 10 public affairs, and If We find
va them error, 70 correct II for the future. We
are no, TO rest satisfied and take il for granted
that the history Of the past and the hloudy scenes
nov being enacted upon this continent, furnish
u~ no instruction and uphraid "a with no wrong
We owe II tn ourselves, 10 pustrrity and 10 our
country rigidly TO examine into the solemn cs.
sons taught hy the past, and TO profit BY and grow
wiser from experience.
This Obligation is commensurate with the pr,
iicre ~ The citizen to cast bis suffrage and "a "a
efi his influence 30 control the course Of public
affairs and the destiny II government This ob
legation morally considered, cannot be renowned
~ disfe,afdtd, without dAclaaing that high
privilege. II L. too. an obligation much more
commanding and cxacliug with US, han Il Is IN
der forms ut government whore the great mas Of
the people are cut 81 from the privilege Of euf
ipge aud one that ehunot be ttificd with without
at the same time tniing with the interests u the
country
The theory lying st the Foundation Of opr polit-
heroes from whom We derived them il that intel
gcucc aud virtue are absolutely essential to their
perfection aud perpciuity. To express the same
thing Va language suine~hat unique, "a ylftHols
Intelligence and an intelligent virtue. mus, pre-.
vail "a the management OF the government, and
guide tie course Of public measures. This theory
then argues that tie right Of suffrage tArties vit3
il o high sofal obligation which The citizen Gao
not Disregard, without being dtrclct in duiy g.
bis country. This great privilege is an cminatiun
fftf fHnfTs Tod y ia.
ioi the good u society. aud r. awarded ouly To
the Intelligent. the vr,u1us, the brave, and the
patriotic. II i trust too sacred "a reward too
important 70 be granted 10 nations degraded los
ignorance and vice. With such nations Il would
De ma instrument for evil and sell destruction.
Bat Is not the moral obligation imposed hy
this high privilege too often lightly considered
aud too frequently IN practice htll t. be iEht
without moral obligation, a mere iGsef t. be used
"a fancy, iayofli-n, OF soh,huss- may dictate
We often hear men boast that they have a light 90
vote As they please. add the boa.i passes Auqu,s.
toned IS truism. Morally considered they nave
no such right, The power 10 d. 50 Is one thing
the tiKhi E qaiic another, They have night %
sut only Tor tba good OF their country, aud to-
best interest. 81 society as thas good aud those
interest. may he determined by an haresi heart
and an enlightened judgement. lhe man who
goes 10 the ballot box Indifferent as 10 how be-
-hal vote, feeling nothing OF tbs moral obiigt
uuu imposed upon him a. n voter. or for the gur
pose Of gratifying Any other disposition than that
Of devotion 10 the public good Is dereliot IN duty
A. Is citizen and boast ~ be may q patriotism,
depntis from the ilns OF patriotic duty, and en-
ploys privilege entrusted b. bin iol noble ends,
10 strike blow at the welfare Of society. lie
degudas aa angel Of light down to an angel Vi
darkness.
For freedom and the blessing which il bdns-
with ". We are wiling t. peril life and iUrisne
upon the battle Geld, and surely should be
wiling and eHget to adopt IN practice that line Of
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