Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-10-05
TO NON-REsIsTANTs.

The importance OF the issues involved in
the approaching election is the only reason
which induces us to address the present ap-
peal to our fellow-citizens who believe and
practice the doctrine of non-resistanee
While it is generally believed that large
number viii absent themselves from the
polls, it il at the same time well known that
their sympathies are with us. In their pli-
yate relations, by their example and pre-
cepts, they strongly inculcate the principles
of honesty, industry, economy and general
good order; governed by these principles
they necessarily teish that our rulers should
be men Of similar character But wish
ing is not sufficient. IF good wishes could
have been effective, the past four years of
fearful bloodshed, with all its attendant
evils, would have been avoided; We must
leork. In the ordinary pursuits of life, we
not only ioish to have good mechanics to do
our work, and good hands to labor on our
farms, but we make an effort to secure them.
We do not always succeed, but our failure
does not discourage US, we try again,
Because bad men often get into Office is no
reason why we should not try to put good
men in their places; and we firmly believe,
if that large and influential class of our citi-
zens( (who do not vote on account of fconscien-
tious scruples) would lend their assistance,
that much greater number of honest men
would be elected. No one viii deny that
civil government is of Divine origin. The
Scriptures teach this doctrine most fully,
The entire history Of the Jewish dispensa-
ton is an illustration of this fact Under
the new dispensation we are brought to sub
nit ourselves to every ordinance of man for
the Lord S sake. We are told that our rul-
ers are a terror to evil doers, and a power to
them that do well We are also eomman-
ded to pray for those in authority. These
truths being selfeyident, how important it
is that W souId have good rulers, who
would make good ordinances for Us to obey;
and how can We have good rulers if we
allow wicked men only to elect them2 Win
they not select men after their own hearts?
Does DOT ike beget like, both temporal and
spiritual? God could, if in his wisdom he
saw fit, bless US with good rulers. as he did
the people in the days of Israel, but be does
not work 50 now.
He could feed US with mama, as he did
our fathers in the wilderness, and could
make grain grow without our tilling the soil.
But he does not win it so. He works in his
spiritual kingdom by His own sovereign
power, but in His temporal kingdom he ex-
poet US, nay he commands US to effect
human ends By human means. If we want
Just rulers who viii protect Us in our rights,
diminish he burdens Of government, afford
to Us the rights of conscience, and enhancC
the general well being of society, We our
selves must select the men who shall b
| placed in authority; We cannot expect tC
grow grain in our streets; we cannot expec
/ to get seudstfyants unless We look for them
We calu,or aud should not expect to fDC
where we 30 not seek. nor reap where We
our opini,lt upon you, but we make thi.
appeal 30 you in all sincerity and earnest
ness We know there are many homes
Democrats among the masses, but at the
same time We beg leave to remind you, that
the late fearful and bloody war was the work
OF Democratic leaders, was prolonged By the
so-caied Democratic sympathy, and in too
many instances received the direct as well as
indirect support of Democratic politicians.
Should such men be again placed in power.
what can we expect from them? They are
not changed. They do not acknowledge
their former Uickedness, nor say that they
have repeated, much less do they bring forth
fruits meet for repentance. We do not
wish to encourage any feeling Of vindictive-
ness against those who have brought the
terrible suffering upon our country through
which we have passed, we entertain towards
them only feelings ofdeep pity for their past
errors, but as long as they skowno evidence
of contritiOn We feel that the best interests
of the country demand that we should not
place them in positions where they can do
further mischief In this We hope to have
your assistance at the ballot box. THE
DANGER is NOT YET OVER: WE
HAVE MANY TROUBLES TO OVER
COME BEFORE PEACE AND HAR.
MONY ARE RESTORED THROUGH
OUT THE LENGTH AND BREADTH
OF OUR ONCE HAPPY COUNTRY.
FIVE YEARS AGO, FEW OF rs
DREAMED OF WAR; THERE WERE
FEW OR NO SOLDIERS TO PROSE-
CUTE y WAR. WICKED POLTTT.
CLANS MADE THE WAR, AND THE
WAR BROUGHT FORTH THE SOL
DIEKS, AND THE SOLDIERS
FOUGHT THE BATTLES, BUT IFOUR
OFFICES HAD NOT BEEN FILLED
WITH UNSCRUPULOUS POLITE
CLANS THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN
NO BATTEES FOR THEM TO FIGHT
UPON YOU, AND UPON US AN I'M !
DUTY RESTS: WE CAN
'REF ENT FURTHER TROUBLE.
LET Us BE WISE IN TIME. LET IT'S
KEEP BAD MEN OUT OF OFFICE
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