Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-05-15
The Young Men of Massachusetts,.

Somebody writes from Boston to n news
paper priuted on the other side of the con-
tinent -
There is reason to believe that the young
men of the state, intelligent, thoughtful, and
mcasurably untrAmmeled by party obliga-
lions, will come out in unprecedented force
at the next popular election. The sentiment
is constantly expressed, aud seems to be
gaining strength daily, that the republican
party has done its work, has become Danger
ously corrupt, and ought to die"
2 Whoever this letter-wrter may be, he
deals in facts, proving himself thereby an
Intelligent observer aud Trustworthy report
err. His report will not be news TO any even
moderately careful aud proficient student Of
politics here ut home, however novel and
surprising it may be to the Californians, who
are accustomed to think OF Massachusetts, AS
an old fogy commonwealth. with tendency
toward Justification. The signs which
speak Of an approaching crisis OF some ma
tnre, visible for months and even years past,
have Of late been multiplying in 30 remark
able manner that the politician who can.
not yet discern them may well be alarmed
for his eyesight. That there are some such
blind leaders OF the blind to be still found
among US. the columns of the Boston Jour.
hal and the lesser republican organs of that
stamp bear daily witness The fact is not
materially affected by their incredulty
As matters look now, it is probable that
the next four weeks will see Young Mems
reform clubs organized in several Massachu-
sets cities. The beginning once made, the
example set, the ice broken, there is reason
to believe that the young men of the smaller
cities, the towns aud the farming districts
will more or less promptly organize in their
turn for political work. 1t is only by means
Of such organization that they can have the
voice and carry the weight to which they
are justly entitled in Massachusetts, politics.
Whenever they come AS class to perceive
this fact clearly, the work is done.
We shall not insult them by cautioning
them against that low and sordld view OF
politics which mas eyes for nothing but the
offices. These young citizens to whom the
Republican has been addressing itself in all
it has said about the reform club as means
OF political usefulness are mot that sort. "
They are hgh-minded and sincere; they
have right instincts aud sound notions aud
just perceptions of duty they are thinking
OF the commonwealth and the country
not of the wretched oaves and fishes for
which the self.seeking politicians, whose
present asceudenoy in affairs is the disgrace
aud peril of both, are scrambAng. With
the generous youth, patriotism, the love OF
country is not an empty name but genu-
ine passion They wish for their land all
high fortunes and noble destinies they can.
not bear to see it disgraced they are ready,
il need be, to die in its defense
1t is not dying that is needed at present,
however, it is right, manly, useful, honor
able living. To many of the younger vot-
ers, it is a regret that their years, or other
like good and sufficient reasons, prevented
their serving their country 10 the field.
But war is not the direst peril, by any
means, that turks in the paSh of republic
The storm that makes the waves boil aud
the masts crack has less of deadly danger in
il than the borer gnawing unnotlced in the
dark, or the dry-r0t creeping silently and
stealthily from plank TO plank aud from
beam to beam. The subtle corruption that
eats out the heart Of popular institutions is
more To he dreaded than any shock of foreigu
aggression, or any paroTysm of civil discord
The American experiment, this grand exper
iment of free land inhabited by free
people, making their own laws, choosing
servants in place of obeying rulers, govern
ing themselves in freedom, is menaced. to-
day AZ il was not menaced in 1860 as il
has never been meDaced before To the
young citizen who is troubled with regrets
that it was not his fortune to follow the flag
into the smoke and deadly hail of battle
we may say in the noble words OF Johr
Milton -
30, yet nobler task awaits thy hand
For what but endless war still breed D
TIL truth and right from violence DO freed,
ARd public faih eisar'd from the shameful brand
or public fraud. In vain doth valor bleed,
While avarioe and rapne share the land"
Old men, statesmen whose locks hav,
griEzled in the public service, business anC
professional men whose lifelong loyalty t
truth, honor aud country makes their whit
hairs crown Of civic merit, have caugh
the alarm. They are taking counsel at th
moment for the safety of the republic. |
is for the young men of the country to tax
action. Age plans; it is the enviable pre-
rOgative of youth to dO.-Spriaqfeld Re
: publican.
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