The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1868-07-31

DUTY.
On Monday next, occurs the general
election in Montana. On that day we
give expression by our ballots of the
judgment of the people of things past.
1t is the verdict of "well done thou good
and faithful servants" or condemnation
if they have proved recreant to their
trusts. We do more than this. we dele
gate TO officers the power of the people |
to make and execute our laws for another /
one or two years. Those we have en-
trusted bring their actions TO the ballot
box for reviewal. A vote cast for the
doer is an endorsement of the deed, and
an instruction by the voter to continue
in the future as in the past. Once a
year those who are governed are the
governing power. They have months
for consideration, but moment TO act.
The ballots that decide the legislation
pass upon the ability, efficiency and hon~
esty of officials that indicate the will of
the people for the future, make the ire
vocable verdict of tribunal from which
there is no appeal, and it behooves those
who vote nationally, as men worthy or
citizenship in mighty nation, demon
strating the theory that man is capable
of self government, to consider well the
principles involved in the simple act of
casting their votes. 1t is not aquestion
that should be decided by verbal miasms,
raised by the heated iu.aginati3ns of
scheming, intriguing otfice-seekers, who
founder about in the filthy pool of poli~
tics, until every exhalation is n stencil
in the nostrils of honesty and Judgment.
1t is not question that poor whisley at
free bars, or Judas pieces of silver-bri-
berry, either of the bowels or the brceches
should decide. 1t is not question in
which party predictions should be al
lowed IN swerve men from a conviction
of right, and impel them to acts of vio-
lence against their better judgment. 1t
is question whether the public servants
have been faithful or unfaithful in the
discharge of their trusts. and if you pass
opinion on it let it be conscientiously,
nationally. We have given an exposi-
ton of some of the acts of the last Leg
islature. somewhat limited by our
space and time for review. We confess an
inability to portray in the startling col
ors they deserve, the acts of that body
iniquitous in the evil they are working
to the people of the Territoy, no matter
whether framed in gross ignorance or
premeditated wrong. You have the
statutes before you, judge whether the
, exposition is Just or unjust. Not the least
wrong are those of finances, and the
impositions upon miners, which the near
. approach of the election may preclude
us from noticing, yet these are matters
the practical workings of which are pat.
ent to all, and against which the voice
OF Montana has been raised in stentoriaI
tones. Aportion of that Legislat ure re
mains; another portion must be chosen
by you on next Monday. Democracy
! has a majority here, and that element
D presuming to represent it was unani-
iluhS IL VIC Atlsb NAlIGE
You have trusted them ard been betray.
| ed you have asked them for just and
t eqaal laws and they Lave given yor
: statutes that no white mans govern
! ment" should be guilty of; that black
5 and-tan carpet-bag. negro-equality Leg
4 islature would blush to acknowledge
and that even the field hands of Louisi
> ana would repudiate. If you permit tn,
3 opportunity to pass without rebuke t.
{ those so shamefully misrepresentinl
: you, it will be virtually approving theii
q action, arming and nerving t.
: further wrong those who hav,
}, used their power for evil will
!, every energy they possessed. The very
; end democracy strove to attain and sue,
e ceeded in last year, is a curse to legisla.
. tion-a body unit on political is
: sues. There neCer aras q g0Uern1aeR
!, tcIth but one political party that did no
;, become tyranny; nerer % tegislatir'
J. body so constituted tint toGS net corrupt
The experience of Montana is no excep
:. tion to this general rule, and it will be.
z come worse and wickeder, as success.