Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1873-01-01
POLITICAL BITTERNESS.

JNNA aP0 has AdIely mau6 manifest, let
us make, as one who has received no po-
Iitical il! treatment from any man, some
comments and confessions.
One of the most uiscouraging features
ofour free government, to one whit looks
calmly on, is the bitter feeling so apt to
spring up in our peaceful communities,
even in the most trivial political contest.
We start u with the much paraded
proposition that every citizen has a free
right to VOte land that NEAR more than
to east some specified ballot like a slave,)
and then we proceed to hamper that
right just as far as lies in our power. An
Englishman says that we have got rid of
one king to enjoy the tyranny Of several
millions, add to q certain extent it is
true. We are so very free that we not
only desire to govern ourselves, but ev.
erybody else as well.
Wherever n party is strongly domi-
nant there is almost sure to be a political
tyranny, that to the minority is almost
unbearable.
In Georgia, where there is far less law
n order than with us, it is said that n
party kept the other from the polls by
force. We have done nothing of that
sort, aud yet we can quickly point TO
communities where men have grown
gray. with irreproachable characters,
who have neither obtruded their opin-
ions nor reviled any man, and yet have
/ hann ohrugll nno1f-nn1 un1 - F,- ,z
some respectable men could do it, ostra-
cised, simply because they dared to vote
as they pleased.
So ridiculous does this abuse some
times become that we know a manly
man who fought the whole war through
and who stood at his post in a dozen
hard fought battles, who was actually
called a TRAITOR by one, who during
the whole var would sooner have been
looked for by all his neighbors, in Cana
ds, than st the front
We hate to write these things, but if
we look the field all over when u pas
sions are down, shall we not be better
for itS
1t may be well sometimes to look back
to the first principles of our government.
Since we profess to be a decent and NOR
al people, it may also be well to consider
what morality and decency are. As a
result Of Dur study we may reach some
conclusions like the following: Ist. ANY
native born voter of proper age has a
perfect right to be a candidate for any Of
fee in the gift of the people. 1t is right
in an honorable way to canvass his mer-
its and dement's, but no man has a right
to misrepresent him or blacken the rep
utation he has earned. He is no less to
be treated as a gentleman because he
chances to be candidate. 1t may be well
to state these principles for the benefit
of citizens who are growing up, for 9TH
erwise 10 one would dream of them.
Unless there is 4 change our people
will sometime reap bitter fruits of their
sowing in this matter. Already a man
needs the spirit of a bull dog ana the
hide OF a ~rhinoceros if he would contend
for almost any Office, and there are places
even now where modest men are driven
entirely from the field, and cheeky DEM
agogues have it all their own way.
I'd. Any citizen who obeys tie laws
has a right to vote just rs he pleaEes,
subject only to an honest conscience and
the constitution. We havea perfect right
to our own views. but we have no posi-
Bile right to abuse him who honestly
holds the opposite, and that spirit which
prompts us to "grind" those who
will not take our opinions is neither he
roic nor patriotic, but the very opposite.
1t is very easy TO mistake passion for
patriotism-it has been done more than
once-and we often imagine a friendly
zeal a holy thing, when in truth it is on
Iy the creature of selfshness or mere
p~artizanship. True zeal is only intense
on great occasions. and true patriotism is
never cluel.
tits often said that abuse is to be ex-
pected in 8 political campaign, and that
it is harmless when it gets cold. But it
ought not to be expected, nor is it harm
less by any means. Forit embitters what
would otherwise be pleasant communi-
ties; it leaves stings that some men new
er get over; it is shameful, and it is
wrong.
As one who did not vote with the mi
nority, we nave felt free to write with
emphasis, but do not desire to cause the
old campaign TO be fought over again.
Let US forget its bitterness, (and the vic
tors ought to forget irst.) and let us talk
together of other things. The year of
our Lord 1921 is just gone. Let us make
for it a peaceful grave, keeping the good
it has brought and leaving the evil be-
hind. And perhaps in the wears to come
We can be just as good citizens, while at
the same time we are far better neigh
bors' Suppose we try. TRUMBULL.
MISTY VALE, Dec. %, 1872.