The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1867-07-18

American system OF protecuon,
which Is protection from below up
wards. The European system is the
inverted pyramid resting on its apex;
the American position is the pyra-
mid in its natural position resting on
its broad, square foundation. In con.
t,uental Europe the government, in
order to protect those under its
charge, reduces them TO pupilage and
leads them like children tied to its
apron strings. Il interferes with ev.
erythiug aud regulates everything.-
You meet 1t at every corner. Ii prizes
into every mans business. You can
not lay your hands upon anything
for which Il has not prescribed rules
aud regulations. That system would
never do for us. Itwould be imprac-
ticable in view Of the extent and
magnitude Of our country. 1t would
be unsuitable to the peculiar charac =
ter. the self reliance, self assertion,
and strong individuality of our peo.
pie. II would be incompatible with
our fundamental idea Of self.govern--
ment. For this reason il also prov
ed impracticable as a means Of shield
ing the freedmen against outrages
aud oppression. 1t became necessary,
therefore, to apply our own system to
them--our great American system OF
self. rotection--that is to say, ofem
ployiug suffiage as the principal
means Of attaining the ends Of gov.
ernment.
Our system is based on the suppo-
sition that a vote is much stronger
weapon than the club Of policeman,
or the bayonet Of soldier. We be
lieve in the educating aud civiliEing
influence and protective virtu,s Of
the ballot. It continually remind
those who form the apex Of the pyra.
mid that they are dependent Gu and
responsible to those who form the
base. 1t recalls rulers apt TO forget
themselves iu the sweet enjoyment of
power, to a sense Of their true posi-
ton. II has a remarkable tendauoy
to make those polite and affable aud
friendly whom little brief authority
inclines to be rude aud overbearing.
If the clerks in Dickens circum!ocu.
ton Office had reason to fear Mr.
Cleunam's voice, they would have
treated him much better. Suffrage is
powerful corrective of official inso
lence, abuses, and ineficency. 1t is
a great lever of impartial justice 1t
elevates the lowly aud the humble, il
cheeks the naughty aud tho influential.
IL provides an important safeguard
for the public peace, and teaches a
wholesome respect for the rights aud
feelings of others, thus lessening the
necessity Of resorting to courts OF
justice. 1t is, of course, liable to
abuse and corrup ion; il may have its
imperfections and dangers, like every
other human institution, but never
theless its effects are wonderful.
Relying on its efficacy, we have
made it the basis of our institutions
1t is the great assimilation agent il
our social development. Let me il
lustrate this proposition by an exam.
pie. How different would the posi-
tion of Foreigners be, fraught with
disadvantages and drawbacks, if il
were not for their right to vote. The
ballot is worth more to them, aud tC
the peace aud prosperity of the coun
try, than armies of policemen could
be. Russia may continue for ages Il
oppress the Poles, and to endeavor t,
exterpate Polish spirit and nationali
ty, and yet that spirit and nationali-
ty will live on and be cherished by il
children in spite ofthe Cars decree
and institutions. In our country
however, we see peacibly and sponta
neously accomplished in one genera
ton what in Poland the dreadful pow
er Of mighty empire has failed {
accomplish during three huudret
years. Aud, il is the ballot to whiei
we owe that rapid aud harmonion
assimilation of 81 many dilferest ma
tionalities which We behold in the
United States.
Abstracting altogether from tn,
question OF right, but viewed merel,
as policy and a means of self pro-
lection, Suffrage is indispensable L
our American system and people
Considering the strong, self asserting
never minding individuality, pushing
impetuOsity restless energy and so'-
tied disregard not only of obstacles
but frequently also of the rights an'
feelings of others, WHICH distinguish
Anglo-Saxon character all over th,
world, and considering further tina
tho idea Of self,protection or protec
tion from below upwards underlie
our social and political organization
we must come 20 the irresistible con
clusion that no class Of our communi
ty could practically enjoy that socu-
rity, comfort and patriotism which, il
theory, we want it TO enjoy, unles
armed with that awe Inspiring ant
Incompatible defensive weapon, thu
right to vote.
five want peace and order 10 ou
American communities, there mus
not be a rightless class. There mus
not be a class Of pariuphs deprived o
the political privileges which al
Others enjoy. Deprive class of tn
only defensive weapon which we. re
spect, which influences all others, an
the effects Of which pesvade all GU
institutions. aud you at once door
thai unfortunate class to perseeutiO
aud oppression. Deprive class o
the protection of suffrage. and tina
self asserting and conquering spiri
Of our people which has cleared ava
a wilderness, redeemed a continent
shaken of the yoke Of the then great
est maritime power in the world, tha
spirit which recognizes no impossi
bility and shrinks from no obstacle
will immediately weigh down and op
press that class. and either deprive
NJ MI ana = sr.lk. -. - -.