The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-04-28
REFORM RESPONSES.
TIE CANVASS GROWING.


SIR:-In your paper of the 23d instant, as |
well as of the two dzys previous, you seem
very anxious to hear from Brother Ray.
He is not conscious why you should expe- 7
rienee any special desire for an expression
of his views on the matter of our city cleo
ton. You seem to believe that he needs
some stiifening. This is good evidence that
your acquaintance in this direction is not
very extensive. However, he is willing to
comply with your request, and says: What
is needed in the management of our city,
state and national affairs, is just what each
man requires for his individual success. In
tegrity, industry and economy are the fogn-
dations on which every man must build, II
he would prove a Blessing to the world.
Omit either of these, and the life is mar
rowed and vitiated, in a degree equal TO the
omission.
Political parties should conform their pro- |
fessions, and above all, their practices to this
standard. They will not, however, be purer
than the iudividgals of tyhom they are COM
posed. Therefore every citizen should give
his persoual sttentionao the primary meet |
ings and other machinery used and thus !
prevent improper n,en or measures being
selected or adopted. There are N both the
politicxi parties enough men df character,
ability and-sterling worth to 81. every office,
and thus stop this continual howl about the
corruption, fraud ar villainyof office-hofd-
ers, which is simply disgrscetul to the ma
ton. Why cannot men be selected who
havethe confidencs of the entire cJmmunity?
One prominent reason is. name the best
man in this city as candida % for Office
and he becomes at once the ia rget for un-
stinted abuse anG none ara IN ore ready TO
engage in this dirty work tbs IN the press
politically opposed TO him. T. ais one thing
drives 0Ur WOrthiest men out politics, and
leaves public affairs in the hi Inds of those,
who do not care what their re putsti0n may
be, so they win, neither do hey scruple to
use any means that leads tos uccess. When
ever the press and the PEI jple Will stop
vilifyirg and blackguadinf men, against
whom, until they become candidates, no
one would utter harmful Eord, then, and
not before, we hope have our Of
fees always filed with pur Q, incorruptible
men. 1hts Will So ggeSt various
other reasons to thos wishing to
investigate this subject, an, will suffice fit
starts current ofthought on this point. A
man should never beplace d in nomination,
who from any cause, is di squaIified for the
place he is expected TO FILL If oneis seeking
employment in the ordin: iry affairs of life,
he is expected to be sober :, Industrious and
careful of his employers interests. Is there
any reason why either of these requirements
should be lacking when we invest men with
power over the persons nd property of their
fellows? Were
DRUNKR n MAN,
or one addicted to drum kenness to Gpply' for
work, nolnan, not eve u a tippler or saloon
keeper would employ him and entFust' him
with anytmportant du ty. And as bitter ex-
perience has demonstr ated that pOliteallife
does not remove men from the temptations
of the cup, but rather hastens the logical
sequence of rlIin and degradation that
pertai ms to the OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., is
1t not'best TO say and practice on the speech
"nO man who drinks intoxicating liquors
-sh Ill recsive our gotes?" Again, the highest
and best authorities who have given character
to the jurisprudence OF England and Ameri-
ca, have united their testimony in behalf of
that fs31i utain of law, the bible, and from
that book have derived the principles that
Hnderlie and support our government
Apart from every consideration of a religi-
Gus orspiri5ual character, as q mere code of
laws H0. the government OF men in their
relations to each other, the bible stands su-
preme uGsnOng books. Much more is item
titled to our regard and admiration when
we consider that it reveals our OBJ
legations and duties to God. If So
all OF ce-holders should demonstrate
the teachings and principles therein con-
tanned, and never occupy the position that
wOuldcsuse any one to believe that the cardi-
nal truths of divine, well as human, law
Were net the guides of their lives. What re-
spect can we have for official who him
self dIsfegaras any of the laws of the land /?
Or whatcontidence can be placed in a man
who is swayed by every breath, and only
Obeys pslicy, -expediency personal sue
cess Rather should he not be " established
in tbe tpzth?" How can the offices be filled
by men in whom the public cannot eonfde?
Ist- Let every one use his best judgment
in selectiag his political associates, bearing
in mind that good persons opposed to
him in their views, equally honest
and sincere to reach the same result he seeks,
AMI though the paths may vary at times, vet
the goal nustbe. "the highest good to the
greatest nunsber."
2. At all times and in all places, boldly
assure those who manage and lay the plans
for their respective parties that party dom
ination shall not stItie individual conscience,
or compel any one to wear the collar la |
belled democrat" or republican," under |
any and all circumstances. And while party |
organizations are.desrable and will be main |
tanned, and no one should, for trivial causes, |
change political affiliations, yet the absolute |
liberty of each individual to obey his sense |
sOf duty, will cooapel the politician to study |
and consider how the consciences of the yo- |
ters can be kept in accordance with party |
success. |
Sd. Ii the lae areor
81 MANAGERS OF THE PARTIES rlla
viii not regard the convictions of the voters. |
or If evil disposed men take control of the |
primary meetings, and the voice of the best
elements of society is oyerpowered by the 1
base, then, as a last resort, the voters must
assert their manhood and refuse to lend
their aid in the election of those whom in |
their hearts they despise and would not /
trust their private business to. To succeed
numners are required new organizations
may be needed, combining men of similar
thoughts and determinations who will select
for Office those whose lives are guarantees
that the interests of all parties, so far as the
public welfare is concerned. will be duly
considered and properly regarded
4th. Let every man, when he asks any of
his neighbors to engage in public