Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1874-06-12
THE DUTY OF AMERICAN CITI-
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In the platform adopted by the Farm
ers' Convention held at Springfield,
Illinois, it is asserted that it is the duty
Of every voter to attend and vote al all
elections, and 10 take a constant and
lively interest in the public affairs Of the
country. This proposition is in all re-
spects true, and'it is because the better
educated and intelligent classes have
allowed their private business concerns
TO engross their attention, or criminal
apathy to prevail concerning the conduct
of public matters. that the control OF po-
litical affairs has been permitted to pass
into the hands of the unprincipled and
reckless. IL is the custom to call poll
tics "a filthy pool. Why has il become
so? Simply because the better ele-
ments of society have held aloof from
it, and left its management to those
who only sought their own profit, and
were utterly Indifferent as to the means
by which they attained their ends.
1t is not then surprising that when the
machinery controlling the political affairs
of the country has been left in the sole
charge of the corrupt, vicious and igno-
rant, that the matters which they control
lila ia
That is a natural, though most unfortu-
nate consequence, for which the mass OF
society has only itself to blame. II it
had been of late as it was in times gone
by, duty recognized by all American
citizens, to interest themselves in elect
ing the best and most competent men to
Office, and then afterwards to carefully
watch and criticise the conduct OF their
officials, this era Of wholesale corruption
would not now have asserted its sway in
almost every public department of the
country, whether National, State or Mu-
nicipal. The evil has now been recog-
nized, felt and deplored; and the only
remedy is that pointed out by the
Springfield Convention, for the voters of
the country to attend closely to their du-
ties in all that relates to the choice and
election Of officials, and to give Office to
none but those whose character and an
tecedents give promise and security for
future good behavior. 1t has too long
been the habit of the educated and
wealthy classes to abstain from bestow-
ing that attention to the management OF
public affairs, that the importance OF the
latter warrants, aud their duty as good
citizens should prompt and requires. 1t
has also too long been the custom OF
those less fortunately situated, the me-
chanic, the laborer, the farmer, the
struggling business man. to give such
matters little or no attention. The lat,
ter plead as an excuse: What can
do? What use is it for one to interferei
l have no power, etc. This may all bt
measurably true, still if every one die
the same, the worst element would d'
just as they pleased; as at present is yer.
nearly the case. But the potent powe
is acquired by the awakening of genera
interest, by the interchange of thought
the dissemination of knowledge. Thes'
lead to union and the formation OF thos'
powerful associations, which, acting
with q common impulse and direction
make their influence at once felt and re
spected. 1t is, as the Springfield Conven
ton said, time for this apathy, this fata
indifference to be thrown aside, and TO
every American citizen to perform hi
duty by giving an earnest and lively re
gard to the issues of the day, to the ne
cessity OF electinc honest and capabl
men to Office, and TO purify State AM
National legislation from the venait
and corruption which has so deepl
infected it. This is not ques
ton of party, but is simply the etc,
nal antagonism between right and wrong
truth and falsehood, honesty and knav
cry. Party questions do not really fgur
in such struggle. Honesty is not tn
sole property of any party. A man ma
be honest, and be good public servant
and be Republican or Democrat. G
affiliate with any other party; and
may also be consumma,e rascal, IN
yet in good political standing with IL
particular set with which he train
This is the crying evil of the day. TIL
when man is thick and thin partisan
that quality is garment that atones ft
all the villainy he may choose to commi
This false system, which has made poll
zeal pursuits by-word and reproacl
should be exploded. 1t has alread
caused much misery and injustice, {
which the condition of the Souther
States affords ready example, and
future it should be held as cardin
rule that no ability as mere partisa
should serve as shield for incapaci
or venality. When this becomes Il
rule then parties will select their be
men as candidates and not their most a
complished tricksters and corruptionist
II the Farmers Convention did no mo-
than thus authoritatively point ont Il
duty of American citizens, their orgal
ization would not have been in vain.
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