Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-01-11
West Randolph.
From our regular Correspondent

OUR OOUNTtf.-ln country llK'
ours, where every citizen is a "Sover
ign," such thing as tyranny and op
preston might be supposed to be al
impossbility,
When Solon, the wise man o.
Greece, was asked, (which is the most
popular form of government ?-lIe
replied, "when an insult to the mean.
est citizen, is an insult to the whole
nation"
But why has the great maxim Of
Solon been so soon forgotten For
years our yeomanry, the working
classes of our people, been compelled
to bear the burden of government,
while the wealth ofthe country luxuri-
ates in ease-producing nothing, and
contributing nothing for the support
of the power that protects them.
In vain have our journals given loud
warnings in vain have the people
protested against this apathy-this
worse than criminal indifference
What is the result ?-Our warnings
are despised-our entreaties spurned.
Phillip, King of Macedonia, was a
tyrant, yet even his stony heart might
be reached by reproof An humble
woman appeared before him several
times for justice, He always said he
no time to hear her. Exasperated at
length, she boldly said :-"Sir! if
you have no time to hear me, be no
longer King!' Struck by the rebuke,
he heard her, and granted relief
1t were idle to hope, however, that
anything we can utter will have the
slightest effect upon those who now
control our government; for, with
malignant stupidity, and hearts as dry
as the sands of the desert, we can ex-
pect nothing but insult added to the
out outrages of years.
Our only hope is upon the ballot
box, and the intelligence of the people.
Our institutions are based, in theory,
upon the intelligence of the people, and
these qualities wanting in the masses,
there can be but one result, gradual
decay, anarchy and ruin. Ii this coun.
try is to remain the home of rational
liberty, law and order, our people,
especially our young people, must be
properly educated, to enable them to
judge of the public interest
"For all depends on you the stand he'll take,
From the strong impress which at first you
make,
And proves as vice or virtue was your aim,
His country's glory, or his country's shame!"
Let us at home teach our children that
he alone is worthy of distinction, who
is useful to his fellow man and society.
Let us at the earliest moment fill their
minds with a knowledge of the great
men and great deeds Of our own coun-
try, impress upon them the Importance
of understanding the nature of our
government, stimulate them to con-
tribute to the glory of the nation, and
rouse them to the duty, of maintaining
the trust in their hands, and transmit
ing it unimpaired to coming genera
lions of freemen.
If the masses Of our voters degener-
ate into a vicious, ignorant mob-ft
subjects to do the work of artfll, bad
men, at their corrupt bidding-our
owed institutions will soon be register.
I'd with the things of the past, and
while history preserves the fame of
Washington, it will record also the
lisgrace of wicked, ungrateful peo-
Die, who became traitors to liberty
md humanity.
FIRE AND Loss OFT LIFE. - The
louse and horse-ban belonging to
Horace Lamb, and situated about
,hree miles from West Randolph vii
age, was entirely consumed by fire on
sunday, Jan. 7th. The fire caught in
he roof The family had all gone to
,hurch except q brother of Mr. Lamb,
Who had been cripple for number
# years. He was in his room above
tairs sitting in chair, from which
le could not release himself. Before
assistance was at hand the flames had
ncircled him and rescue was impossi-
lie. But very little was saved from
he house, the family saving no cloth
hing except what they had on their
'acks. The buildings were partially
insured. AT the "brick church" a
committee of ladies and gentlemen
we're appointed, Sunday afternoon,
Who will Immediately take measures
o furnish the family with clothes and
'edding.