The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-12-07
From the Boston Globe.l
THE FARM-YARD CLUB OF JoTHAM.
By DR.. George B. Loring.
BY DR.. George B. Loring.
TWENTIETH MEETING - SUBJECT: GRAIN
CROPS.
Doof;oueI

lNOH"Ne".
"Debate is always in ORDER" said the
Moderator, "unless the question is being
taken, or the meeting has adopted and APP
piled rule to suppress it,"
Then, Mr.. Moderator" said Mr.. Bar
ker, 81 want to say to this meeting that
find the name of John Thomas on q ballot
here for selectman, and in my opinion he
ought not to be elected to the office. He
may be an honest man, but there are those
who do not believe it. /" Cries of or
der arose from all parts Of the house and
the Moderator reniInueu NIT. DARKER rnat
such a personal discussion of the merits of
a candidate could not be allowed at that
time. "Let him go on" said John Thorn
as; 81 suppose might as well meet 1t now
as any time,' and he really appeared to be
gathering courage for contest, although
his voice had but little of resolution in its
subdued and muffied tones.
Sam Barker began again. and was pro-
ceeding with much vehemence to call in
question John Thomas's, fitness for the Of
tce, alluding to the damaging traditions
with regard to his grandfather, denouncing
his father, and amid great confusing clam
oring for an alms-bouse investigation, until
a feeling of remorse and sorrow seemed to
be settling down upon the whole assembly.
In the midst of the disturbance young
woman was noticed to enter the church and
make her way to Charles Ingalls,, who sat
alone in a wall pew, watching the strange
and to him novel scene. 1t was the first
time woman had ever been seen in town
meeting at lothian; the first time that II
had ever occurred to any man there that a
woman could have voice or interest in pub
lie affairs. They all thought they knew
how beautiful Clara Bell was-but they had
no idea, until that moment, of the startling
beauty with which the discharge of what
seemed to be great duty could irradiate
her face, nor of the determined energy
which could inspire her form with new
grace and power. Charles ingalls, was
amazed as she approached HIM, and still
more amazed when she exclaimed
"Chares, know it all Remember your
mother, your own homer, and be man.
John Thomas has wife and children and a
reputation. He may be wrong, but he is
entitled to justice. Now speak"
This unexpected appearance of Clara
Bell had produced profound silence in the
meeting. Squire Wright, as Moderator,
stood almost spell-bound as he witnessed
this manifestation of the courage and sense
of justice which woman would be likely TO
bring into public service, slow aud reluc-
tant as he was to acknow ledge it, and un-
willing to recognize anything as superior to
the rigorous justice of the law. Sam Bar
ker had lost the thread of his philippe, aHd
was dumb: John Thomas lifted up his
bowed head and seemed filled with new
courage. Charles Ingalls, rose and ad-
dressed the chair, while Clara stood leaning
against the side of the pew and looking into
his face with countenance glowing with
confidence and expectation.
"Mr. Moderator" said he, al am but just
a voter in this town, am unused TO public
assemblies like this, and am entirely ignor-
ant of the course of debate which would be
considered at this time in order, have,
however, but a few words to say, and beg
the indulgence Of this meeting of inteli-
gent and responsible citizens while ! say
them. know, sir, as you do, and all here
do, that the reputation Of one OF our most
respected citizens has beeu 50 successfully
assailed that he finds among US but few de-
Tenders. l know and feel the danger of ap.
pearing here as an apologist for his alleged
| offences. But / know, also, that there is
a latent sense of justice in every commu-
nifty which will not allow any man to be
condemned unhesrd. We are told that
Mr.. Thomas has been guilty of neglect OF
official duty at least, and probably of cor
rupt practices, while in charge Of the In
terests of the town. The origin and OBJ.
ject of the complaint are by this time well
understood, doubt not; and my desire 10
that before going further we should remind
ourselves of the precise nature OF the ac-
cusation, the character of the accused, and
the fact that he has had no opportunity to
be heard by his townsmen. l appreciate
| the deep and solemn importance OF the in
tegrity and fidelity in the official service OF
a country like ours. The corruption of a
despotism may be concealed and tolerated,
perhaps, and its power remain mistaken.
But in community where all power springs
from the governed, the fountain and stream
must both be pure, or swift destruction IL
sure to follow. 1t is the honesty ofprivate
life which must lie at the foundation of hon
esty in public life, here. l would. there.
fore, place society and the state on the SAINT