Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-10-28
A Word About Election.

Before another issue of our paper the
ballot boxes will have been closed for
the present year, and the result be
known, so far as this county and State
is concerned, at least. We have no hope
Of changing the views OF any one 10y
what we may say, but do very much de-
sire to see full vote polled-to see
every citizen exercise the franchise, and
manifest his interestin the governmentun'
der which he lives We regard neglecting
attend elections and voting as n neglect
of the most important duty OF American
citizens BY failing to perform thi, duty
the people give to politicians and design
ing men, opportunities OF controlling the
elections, and getting possession of the
reins OF government Whenever we
have full vote. the elections result IN
the success of the best men and meas
ures; when the vote is light, it is often
that obnoxious men are carried into
Office, and bad policies prevail The only
safety for America is in the patriotism
of the people. In time of peace, patriots
have duties to perform us well as in
time of war, and chief among those du'
duties is, that of giving the time neces.
sary to express their preferences as to
who shall govern the state or nation
This can only be done through the balls
lot box, Is it too much for the country
to ask that tie people devote one day
n year to her interests
The people of this state, have, on Tues
day next to decide, not merely who shall
fill the various state Offices, but what
shall be the governing principles of the
commonwealth during the next two
years, Whether the treason.crushing,
slave liberaling, union restoring, free
dom>giving doctrines, und.r which We
have lived and prospered. spite of blood
war and riot, during the past ten years
shall continue to be the state policy, or
whether principles, under cover Of which
rebellion Was conceived and prosecuted,
aud cons tracy thriyed to an extent that
well nigh unnihIated the nation; that
slew hundreds of thousands of her no>
blest sons; fotbed Der Of billions of
treasure, aud now would stain her with
dishonor, shall take precedence in the
administration of our state government
Sugar,coated as ever it may be- the
fact exists, that the success of the Dem-
ocratic party will be u success of the per
nicious doctrines, aud traitorous men
that produced the rebel ion of 1861, and
conducted the civil war la that party
you will find the men who checved al
rebel victories, who denounced the wal
rs unconstitutional. and declared it q
failure. Who did every thug in theii
power to cmharrass the government il
her cndcavors to crush the rebellion anc
preserve the Union from dissolution -
In that party are still found Nalanding'
ham. Breckenridge, Davis, SemmeS, on(
all the rebels who devoted their best en-
erg'es for five years to disrupt and de-
stroy tht conutry II no other reuso,
existed this one 'ieir records suite
lent argument against them.
True, the Democratic party Of to>da,
CHIN to rcjuicc at the result OF the war
II to be repentant-but does that entit
them to the same favor with those VIII
we're Arrays true to the country, an'
brought the results Of which the peopl
are proud The main issue between ia
two parties 70 day are these The lie
pnbican party say, We viii be honest
aad pay the Just debts incurred in crush
ing tue rebellion, and give to every mnr
;rr.spcctit @ OF race or color, the Tl9ht