The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1870-05-05

pc otherwise. Can such an election
possibly go forward and not trench
ON "local grounds" or not be based
on I" local considerations? 1t can
not be, in the nature of the case, based
on State grounds, or National grounds,
because the affairs concerned are all
local, and do not spread out into
the surrounding State, or the enclos-
ing Nation If, therefore, q School
District Election is shaped, ruled, and
determined, strictly on "local
grounds" it is just what should be, in
the nature of the case, and just what
all unbiased persons would unani-
fmously profounce just and proper
Foe, of what Importance is it at Co
inmbus, or what at Washington, that
the Common School Board of Raven
Ina, is composed, one year, of three
Republicans, or the next year of two
Republicans and one Democrat, or the
next year of ono Republican and tive
Democrats? The shock is not felt at
those centres. -
T. If .local grounds ate not to de-
termine the election of Roard of
tEducation for a special School Dis
trict, pray what are the grounds that
should ? 4, You say, "Party Grounds"
But thus you argue in q circle; since
f Party Grounds" in q merely local
affair, can be nothing else than local
grounds unless you put upon the
term /" party grounds +" sense which
ignores, and excludes all local inter-
tests, demands, necessities, and advisa-
bilities, whatever. If by " Party Ne
cessifies you mean such necessities
rs rigidly shut the eye to all local
wants, and interests, then, in my iudg-
lment the less we have Of them, or the
less we indulge them, the better; at
least; in our village school matters
EIf'we are to adopt, and follow, your
position, to "act strictly in a party
sense, in all primary and local cleo
TONS" then, farewell forever to all
],other, considerations than those of
MERE "'party," and farewell to all
those recognitions and deferencies, in
civil life and action, which most men,
on principles divergent from yours,
ARE willing, now and then at least, to
grant unto their fellow men, and
neighbors, and co-taxpayers, even
though they are politically designated
as Democrats. a4Qo
r And it is not little noticeable, in
this immediate, connection, that this
principle of yours, of the rigid exclu-
sion Of a political party in the minor
4 ity' from all participation in the work
/ ing Of the civil machinery Of society,
should have SO far arrested the atten-
4 ton of our late State Legislature, as
4 to elicit from them statutory con-
! demnatipn of ii, in their late Bill, now,
l believe, a law, providing for pro-
portional representation of such mi
'inority on the local boards of the
Judges of Elections. Here is case
! Of pure politics. This is not "lo-
calp act, butIa general one; to reach
ali cases of the present and most un-
mixed politics of the State. And our
Legislature says to the dominant po-
litical party, be it Republican or
a Democrat, !" Hereafter, admit the mi
nority to the possession of third of
: this Judgeship." And is this act a
proper one? Is it based on obvious
principles of Justice? Will its ten
Il bdency be to secure the greater purity,
:. and correctness of election returns
Does it respect the rightful claims OF
t q minority, in matters where all are
3 alike interested? And will it meet
ld the appreciation of the State general.
r lfy, both Republicans and Democrats
9 And if SO, then how, far right or how
q faraastray, n is the local newspaper
D organ of the Republican party" o.
Portage County, in its official an
! nouneement, that we Republicans ars
! tos 9sact strictly in a party sense, il
: all primary and local elections ?"-
sfWill the Legislature retract?
= Besides, LET us follow your tenets {
= little further, and see where they will
: land ns. You hold that because g til,
1ofice of State School Commissioner
! tlike eli State offices, enters into tn,
!. political strife, therefore, with eqna
\ reason, subordinate educational off
"A ces smay do the same, in their sevepa
~ localities" Now, let me ask, whicl
ell educational Office" in our villag
q School District, and as to the ends ant
le aims Of aischool at all, and for whicl
we ask ourlaw-makers to autheriz
:. US to levy and collect taxes, arbich
:, Of the most Importance In the eye O
!" the, law, and in the eye of common
= sense, and In all eyes, that of the Com
= mitteeinah, or that Of the Teacher P
!. Would we need Q Committeeman,
= we needed no Teacher? Does tn
- Committeeman call into existence tn
:. Teacher, or the Teacher the Commit
~ ~ teeman I? Hence it seems to me, tina
" every person who reflects a momen
ia upon the. matter, at least, every pei
p son not Influenced by esaspepation,
b. every one whose judgment is ne
ed blinded by passion and resentment
;e, every one who will suffer himself
rs, look upon it. with ga calm mind, and
le; clear vision," every one who does nj
of stand upon. agrounds purely person
al and selfish" viii at once conced
rk the point that the Principal of OIL
We Village Union Schools occupies
vastly more important "education
~ Office" than does one Of the Board |
ID, fEducation, however good, great. an
NJ useful, that person may be. And ma
f.. - a : : ~ ~