Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-02-27

from another-a certain number constituting
colony. The original organization on board
the May Flower was democracy-a govern
ment of all, for the good of all. 1t was prob
ably drawn up by their pastor, signed by all
the men. And it might be noticed that the
confederation, or union of colonies, bv which
they went successfully through the war of the
revolution, was suggested by clergyman.
1t occurred to him while lying upon a sick
bed, and was communicated by him to a states
man, by whom it was presented to the peo-
ple-obtaining an adoption. The ministers
used to trouble themselves with the welfare of
the people in those wonderful days of growth,
self-denial and energy, TO which our remarks
revert The democracy of those times held
that they ought to do So
Now l ask you with what motives should
men come to town meetings? How should
they deport themselves while there? How
should they prepare themselves for its ques-
tons? And what part should ministers take
in politics? If it makes any difference wheth-
er we have the right or wrong men in office.
whether business is correctly or incorrectly
done, whether right or wrong men prevail,
whether truth or error is sanctioned, whether
money is wasted or well applied, whether ed
ucatlon is promoted or neglected, or pervert-
ed, whether morals are established or corrupt
ed, whether good or bad laws are enacted,
whether precious institutions are preserved or
wrecked, whether deserving or unworthy men
are endorsed, whether alcohol or reason
reigns, whether health or disease spread.
whether slavery or liberty, freedom or tyran
ny order or confusion, protection or robbery.
government or anarchy, civility or the budg-
con, honesty or fraud, patriotism or partyism,
loyalty or treason, peace or chaos, holiness
or sin, heaven or hell, are in the ascendant,
then town meetings, rightly viewed, are
clothed with unutterable gravity and unimag-
Unable significance
There are several classes. who for wears
gone by, have been negectfuI of or kent
aloof from what are called politics. One
l would call the lazy. So much reading.
remembering, thinking and action it may
be, are demanded by questions Of public good,
as they may be disguised by party, that they
let them alone altogether, or only give them
| careless look. Then, there are persons
whose nerves are so weak, or feelings so ex-
citable that they do not trust themselves in
political debate or canvassing Men of wealth
or aristocratic tendencies have sometimes
held themselves away from this common agi-
tatlon. Cultivated men have found them
selves disguised with the ignorance, the false
hood, the brutality which they witnessed in
the political world, and so in part, or as far
as possible, withdrew from it. Scientific men
have adhered to scientific investigations, lit
erary men to literature, and many able men
have buried themselves in their professions or
business. The impatient will not expose their
temper or disgust. Ministers, or ministers
masters, or both, have not thought it looked
well Cor Clergyman to go to a caucus and so
on.
Bonaparte said the empire meant peace.
and are you ready to go for an emperor, and
get rid OF all this langle, and vexatlon, and
democratic squabble? Have empires always
been peace? Do you not see that in the dis
cussions that must take place when men are
about to vote, in political combinations. &C..
men are improved, enlightened, and discipline
ed to act in concert? If kettle ought TO he
stirred. Why take lraiL IL, and skim off
the sediment. Any way, we are at sea in a
democratic craft, and the well minded and in
tellgent of the crew must take an interest in
her, and attend to her welfare, minding their
duty, or she will be engulphed, or turned into
a piratical cruiser by the few who have muir
dered the rest. There is no alternative; do
or die. We have seen what has come to pass
from leaving politics or craftsmanship to one
class, while another prayed, another invented
or did both.
As preparatory to the town meeting eau
Gus 10 usually IClu' w Z ulSuI 10 W lUe IOWn
meeting withouthaving preliminary assembly,
and each one vote for the candidate he thought
of, sc. The caucus may be convenient, how
ever. Let it be well advertised and fully at
tended as possible; let everything be con-
Quoted in an open, fair, impartial manner,
and then let the party as rule, vote for the
men nominated at the caucus.
l have limited at the investigation to be gone
through with to understand the subjects com
ing before the suffrage of voters, the tricks of
leaders, &c. Men should actually study these
things. They should read, listen, and think,
think, think. The truth will come to you at
last, if you seek for it. Study town AFFAIRS
particularly as the time approaches for town
action. Study, say; not complain, and bark
and babble, as people do sometimes, but search
until you know the matter, or read the man.
Then let no relationship, no pecuniary inter-
est, no social acquaintance, no personal
friendship swerve you hairs breadth from
saying and doing what you ought. Personal
difficulties alto gether, and personalities as far
as they can be, should be dispensed with.
Public good-that is the touch"stone by which
to test men and measures. Men may inno-
Gently love office well, if they love the public
better, and if they most wish that the man
should serve who can best serve. There is
one thing that men always desire besides the
compensation, if they do Alright, and that is
the generous approval of their constituents
And there is no policy so good as the contin-
uance of the same men in office, il they will
and if they represent their constituents and
are honest and capable. This idea that this
man has had the Office little while, and now
1 must, is a miserable one. The spirit of
Christ only again asks how the public veal
may be secured. 1t is evident that expert
ence and practice must greatly assist any man
in doing public duty. The south never com
mitted the folly of frequently changing their
public servants. Their servants could act
with more decision, being made confident of
public support.
Town meeting, let me say, is no place for
squaring accounts, or paying off an old score.
L suppose such things are sometimes done,
but l could not attempt any such thing The
example is pernicious and rancoTous. If
man had voted against me when he ought not
to, if he were the candidate, and ought to
have the office, he should have my suffrage.
God is one father, Christ one MASTER let us
be where we will, and in no form must do
anythingsthat looks like personal retaliation.
So far as L yield to personal feelings | am de-
ploring the serious assembly, and converting
the gathering which was to be for the general
welfare into an occasion or engine for the
qualification of spleen or uncomfortable feel
ing. Such movements minister to confusion,
and in the end must be regretted by the
movers.
see no difference in the principle at the
hottom of tho town and tha reliOious moot.