The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1869-12-07
The Necessity Of Promoting Men Of Gooi
Principles to Office

II there is one question which more than
any other deserves the candid attention of
the thinking men Of the present day, it is
that which relates to the appointment of
our public officers Certain organizations
are found in our cities, whose aim it seems
10 be, to honor or elevate, vice; and degrade
and make odious, virtue. This clement
in society is parasitical in its nature. Its
proclivities are to feed upon the public
industries. 1t is Il matter of regret that
this class of individuals is not confined to
the cities, alone, but is infusing itself in.
10 our general society. 1t is coming, in
measure, to pcryade the little towns in
the far west, and even our own Puritan
New England is not exempt from this
worst Of social clements. Men who dis
like to labor, and who devote their time
TO bar-room gossip, and the gambling ta-
bile, who use much money for rum, and
kindred beverages, and who arc vicious
IN other respects, are the ones under es-
pecial consideration at this time. These
are the men who, more than any others,
eagerly support their partizans for office.
That such individuals ought not to receive
the support OF honest men, the three fol-
lowing reasons are offered:
j. Honest men arc needed in office
IN order to insure wholesome laws.
If VIC would have right laws, we must
have right law makers. Bad men as law
makers and wholesome laws, arc incompa-
tible. The history of the legislation of
all nations proves the vcracity of this
statement, Ina town not far from here
resides gentleman OF wealth and talent.
If he would make right use of his pos
sessions he would become useful, and
highly honorable citizen. Unfortunately
he worships at the shrine Of Bachus. lie
also considers gambling to be just as hon.
orable as any other profession, and says
that the law placing Il restraint upon it,
ought to be repealed. This man, with
these habits, and holding to these views,
has freqently been talked of by the ad.
mirers of his talents, and his friends, as
the one best fitted to represent his town
in the State Legislature. His compeers
would set aside men of good habits, and
respect, for this person.
What could be thought Of the moral
status OF community which should pro.
mote sucn man TO Office? Every ra.
tional man must consider-such method
Of procedure as highly injurious, Nc
State can in any way afford to have its
legislature composed of drunkards and
gamblers. What might be expected as
the results of their legislation? 1t might
he that they would remove the law pro,
hibiting gambling Then in the second
place in our state they would be very
likely to repeal the liquor law and fin,
ally every moral restriction would BE-
withdrawn. There would be no occa
sion to consider it strange if oil previou,
legislation in respect to the Sabbath
should be removed. Or as il occurred il
France under the regime of Infdelity ,onC
day in ten by legal enactment might b.
considered the day Of rest. There is NJ
certainty when the immoral enactmentl
Of such legislature would cease.
That the stream partakes of the natur,
Of the fountain is a law, fixed aud unal