Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-06-09
8eaford snqairer.
EDFORD Pa, FRIDAY, JUNE 0, 1865,
PEACE--ITs DUTIES AND REsPON-
SIBILITIES.


SIBILITIES.
From the stern duties imposed by the ne
cessities Of war, it is pleasure to turn to
the consideration of the less dangerous
though not less responsible duties of Peace.
While a certain degree of physical courage
is required to face the deep-moutlled can
non and bristling bayonet, courage of like
degree, but of higher type is often requir-
ed in the faithful discharge Of many Of the
duties and responsibilities of peaceful life.
The man, whose heart never failed him ct
theheadof aforlorn hope, oft-times lacks the
moral courage to do right, because itisright,
when it happens not to meet with the ap-
proval of his associates. He, who could
face death in all its horrid forms on the bat
tie field, is often found to quail before the
jeers of his companions, when called
to discharge some duty, binding in con-
science but not enforced by strict rules of
law. o
Peace has been restored to our borders,
but it has brought with it many important
questions of public interest, in the settle
ment of which, clear heads, strong minds
and eloquent voices viii be needed, but even
above these, is the need of men Of high
moral character and unimpeachable integri-
ry, with clear and well defined ideas of right
and wrong and the moral courage to do
right without fear or favor. Our whole po-
litical fabric needs publication and reorgani-
zation. We have providentially been saved
from national destruction and disintegra-
ton. Now that the danger is past let us
look at the perils we have escaped What
is the record Of political parties of every
description Who have controlled the
nominations of every party? Has it been
the bone and sinew of the land, the moral,
the upright and the virtuous elements of
society? Alas mol The frequenters of
the grogshop, the gambling saloon and pla-
ces even worse have oft-times controlled the
nominations Of our candidates and given US
gamblers, drunkards and ibertines to fill the
high places of the land In how many pla-
ces are we represented by such men, dis
grace to the community who elected them
to office aud blot upon our national es-
cuteheon. The appalling fact, that very
large proportion Of those elected to legisla-
tive and municipal stations, habitually make
merchandise Of the public rights and inter
ests committed to their charge, is not divest
ed of its peril by adjurations to silence nor
by afectations of ignorance. Whether we
speak or forbear, the crime, the shame. the
danger remains Why are these things so?
Where is a remedy to be found for this
great eyiR They are so because a number,
of the better class of citizens, sufficient to
control their action, have never taken an ac-
tive interest in the management of political
parties; as consequence the worse elements
Of society have controlled them in their own
interests. A few good men have always
been found, but they have been the excep-
ton and not the rule and have seldom teen
in sufficient numbers to stem the tide OF in
iquity The only remedy is for the better
class Of citizens to take the initiative and
assume the control Of political organizations.
As long as this class stands aloof, whether
because they are too eagerly engaged in
pursuit of the almighty dollar, or feel them
selves too good and pure to engage in such
things, just so long viii they have reason to
lament the iniquity and corruption in the
political world 1t is a great mistake for
the good, moral, honest, upright men, who
give character to the community, to stand
aloof in this matter They have the great
est interests at stake-and In a republican
government ike ours, it is not enly the In
terest and the privilege, but the duty of ev-
cry good citizen, from the minister of the
gospel down to the humblest in the land,
not only to vote but to take an active interest
aGqtaB G4qaaa s Rtsfgs ssg t9 tsna aha w6enSySl 6eRSy
tons and see that men are nominated to off.
ces of profit and trust, of whom we need
not be ashamed, but in whom, we can rely
for sobriety, honesty and uprightness and q
conscientious discharge of every duty de-
volving upon them. The idea that the
church member, the moral, upright and vir-
tuous citizen should not meddle in politics
is false one and has long been the bane Of
our country. 1t is sickly sentimentality
working evil and evil only, and the sooner it
is exploded the better. Until such men
enter the arena of politics in sufficient num-
bers to control it, it viii continue to be de-
grading and corrupt 1t is in their power
to elevate it and make it honorable by taking
part In and controlling it, and thus, and thus
only can we secure ourselves from the cor
ruption and venality which have for years
pervaded and disgraced every sphere of po-
litical action.