The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-11-02

from the caA OF country, II the whip OF
the political ring master drives him into
party traces against his judgment and
Conscience, he ca1lOt lay sthe blame
nor portion OF the blame on party or
political ring master, if setting aside
judgment and conscience heis governed
by corrupt motives, becomes a political
bawd and sells himself to the villain that
tempts him, he should, Judas like, buy
a rope and hang himself and thus rid
the earth of so vile a slave.
While the trust.confided to the voter
is sacred, and the responsibility great,
sthe duty of the citizen is not complicated.
ii it was, self government would be a
failure at its very inception.
The republic does not ask of its citi-
zens that they be statesmen, educated in
all the wiles of state craft, but that they
be honest conscientious citizens per-
forming their public duties with the
same intelligence andzeal that they per-
form their private duties; nothing more
nothing less than this.
Not in the statemanship of our public
men rests the safety OF the republic hut
in the virtue and honesty of the masses.
Without this virtue and honesty the re-
public dies and the tricks of state craft
will be more likely to hasten then avert
its doom
The first great requisite for the well
being OF the republic and the preserva-
ion of our freedom is the honesty of its
citizens, next the individual citizen ups
holdin his individuality, that he thinks ter
for himself and acts for himself. This
requires, one may say,a large amount OF
and education in the indi>
vdual. Not whit more than is necess-
AIRY for the management of his private
affairs. Bah, we are sick of this cry OF
our institutions by intelli>
yence alone. 1t is the educated, in
telligent rascals that debauch the people
and it is because there is so little honesty
in the people that they are so easily de-
We would not indeed advise man to
shut himself up in his own opinion, and
neither listen to advice nor argument;
on the contrary we say, hear all you can,
read all you can in regard to measures
and men affecting the interests Of the
country, but, when you have heard the
counsel and thel counsellors, make up
your own judgment according te your
own light, and record it like all honest
citizen, at the ballot box,
regardless of party ties or the clamor OF
political wire-pullers.
It's only by the recognition Of indi>
7idual responsibility and the free exer>
Use OF individual judgment that this peo-
pie have a chance OF preserving self
government; tor though IN the future,
mo matter what name the party in pow
sr may call itself,) human nature may
.emain rs weak, temptation to act wrsng
IS great and the opportunities as numer-
'us; still with the exercise OF individual
reedom. uncoerced by party affiliations
beyond legitimate bounds. the risk will
,ave increased a thousand told and in
his fact will be the safety ofthe republic.
Political reform like all other reforms.
must begin with the individual. Do not
bother your head brother citizen about
low your ncighbor is going to vote next
tuesday. that which concerns you di-
'cctly is how you are going to vote you're
'ell consult your own judgment and
in regard to this aud then re-
ord your decision in the American bal
OF box, rs . tree honest American citi,
zen and if you have the moral courage to
ell the button holing. Whispering. lying.
beer treating. tuft-hunting, little politi-
ian to mind his own business you
nay take tho fact as strong proof that
lou are advancinglbravely on the high
Dad Of independent action. A new..
paper is responsible tor what it publishes
md may be called to account, 30 like
wise wi b public speaker. but one of
FOUR little tuft hunting politicians does
aot deem himself responsible either to
he country he cares not straw for. the
sause he wonld betray. the voter he
would deceive. or the ring he labors for
IS long as it is his interest 10 do 80.