The New York herald., 1876-11-04
Last Word. to IN. independent Voter

the HERALD does only its duty in giving this
uncommonly large class few parting words
of advice. The independent voters will not
only decide the Presidential election; on
the care with which they scrutinize the
Congressional, legislative and municipal
tickets will depend very largely the charac-
ter of the next Congress and the purity and
efficiency, or the reverse, of State and local
governments for the next term. We are all
interested in good government; no man is so
poor or so rich that he will not be injured
by public theft, or by ignorant or merely
partisan legislation. The poorest city voter,
living in tenement house, must pay in
higher rents, in dearer provisions. in more
wretched lodgings, his share of the city and
State debt and must suffer in all these
respects in common with his wealthier
neighbor from vicious or Ignorant
legislation, whether Mt Albany or
Washington or here in the city.
Every voter has a direct and important
interest in economical honest and intelli-
gent government; and it is, therefore, his
duty, not only to the country at large, or
to the community of which he is a part, but
also to himself and his wife and children, to
vote only for fit men, and to vote for the
best, the most capable and most honest men,
regardless of party. 1t is because the
HERALD places good government far above
mere party success that it holds its inde-
pendent position toward both and all parties.
1t means to support sound and wise legisla-
ton, no matter by what party it is originated
or advocated it means to oppose vicious,
ignorant or corrupt legislation, no matter
what party supports it. 1t means always to
be the defender of what is good in both
parties, and believes it can thus more USE
fully fulfil one of its offices as an adviser Of
the people.
l. What we have to say to the independent
voters, then, on the eve of the election is, in
the first place, this:-Do not be alarmed
nor unduly hopeful. Both parties promise
the millennium just now, and it is very
natural that they should. Both are equally
anxious to secure voters. Each utters fear
sul forebodings of evil and ruin in case the
other should succeed. The plain truth is
that neither will give us absolutely perfect
government, and that neither will ruin or
endanger or embarrass the country. Lib
erty, peace, public order, the public credit
and national honor are alike safe, whether
Mr.. Hayes or Mr.. Tilden is elected. The
essentials are secure. The ark of safety is
not touched. We do not live in Mexico,
aud whatever political party may for the
moment succeed the average good sense of
the American people will rule and will pre-
vent anything vitality wrong or dangerous.
The stump orators and partisan journals of
both sides naturally tell different tale. To
hear them one would believe that this is the
last election the American people will ever
hold. But the fact is that we shall elect a
new Congress and new State Legislatures
two years from now; and under our consti-
tuition, happily, the people, by these fre-
quently recurring elections, keep their af-
fairs safely in their own hands and are able
to cry check to abuses and to change the
policy of their government at short inter-
walls, and to punish those public officials
who have been ignorant or corrupt as they
shall please. Under our system the govern
ment is Just as good or as bad as the people
at any time choose to have it, and they can
always, if they like, force improvement and
reform. The main use of the Independent
voter is that as he moves from one party to
the other in search of the best men and policy,
he can, if he acts intelligently and consci-
entiously, cure public evils, remove from
official life corrupt or incapable men, and
oh hova liz
trusts. He may safely do his duty in these
respects without fear of evil results to our
institutions, which are safe in any event.
3 Besides the Presidential candidate the
independent voter has this year to cast his
vote for member of Congress and here
he ought to act with special care and sound
Judgment. The next House of Representa-
tives will have very important work to do.
1t will have to act decisively upon ques-
tions Of the currency and the reve-
nue., both Of which will gravely affect
the prosperity of the country, which
means simply the welfare of each
individual citizen. In voting for a Congress
man it is always well to remember that one
who has served term is likely to be more
influential and effective than q new and
inexperienced member, and that constitu-
ency is more likely to make its influence felt
upon legislation by sending an experienced
than new delegate. But aside from this
consideration the character and abilities of a
candidate ought to be carefully con-
sidered. We counsel the independent
voter to support that ono of the
two candidates presented for his suffrage
who, in his belief, will more ably and
conscientiously defend by his voice and vote
the interests of the country, and to disregard
party ties or affiliations entirely in this
matter. The happiest condition for the next
Congress, the most favorable to wise and