The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1876-09-13
.pgB EGSE&S8 IN MAINE,
THE BATTLE GRcgED. TH

erclSe OF Shelr forms OF religious WOr-
ship, and Che free expression Of their
opinions, but when g citizen either
becomes a candidate for Office, or as
sumes to instruct his fellow citizens
from the public forum, his auditors
Or supporters are justly entitled to a
full knowledge of his life and charac-
ter, as an essential element in deter
mining What credenee they should
give to his statements, or what sup
port to his candidacy. They vote
for, or listen TO, not an abstract pfin
ciple, or disenbodied spirit, but a
man who presents himself as one Ell
tier to be trusted with power, or as
q safe adviser as to who shall be
trusted with it. This being so, the
public orator is legitimate subject
of inquiry, in so far as his life or te-
nets may bear legitimately upon the
force of the advice he gives to voters.
There is no higher duty Of the citi'-
zen, and no higher Office for the
statesman, than to advise voters COR
rectly as to their suffrages. In this
view it is right that an audience
should know, not merely, who it is
that addresses them, but also what
are his principles and practices, in so
far as they justly bear upon his Gre
dulity or reliability.
The next State election of possible
influence upon the national result is
the election in Maine. Both parties
have marshaled their oratorical for
ces. The Democratic speakers are
mainly local in the State, while the
Republicans have sent there many
speakers from abroad. Among the
chief is Colonel Robert Ingersoll of
Illinois. Colonel Ingersoll is the au-
thor of book, and various writings
and speeches, in which he declares
Blaine man Of Integrity, Calvin Gin
famous" Socrates, the suicide, "a
man whose death was beyond all
praise" eat least the peer Of
Christ Tom Paine, one who knew
that every abuse had been embalmed
in the Scriptures and that every out
rage was in partnership with some
5ext of Holy Writ" Col. Ingersoll
also declares that "no miracle was
ever performed" and that 'there is
no power superior to nature that "the
ideas of God in the Bible are more
cruel and brutal than those of the
most depraved savage" and that
"this holy cook is filed with ignor-
ance." These are Colonel Robert
Ingersolpa avowed principles. He
has beyond doubt the right to enter
tain and avoW whatever sentiments
he pleases, not inconsistent with his
conduct as good citizen; but his
hearers have an equal right to know
the principles and beliefs Of the man
Hho proposes to instruct them in
their civil duties, and exercise their
own judgment as to their bearing on
his credibility or ability to guide
them. Any Catholic, or Presbyte-
rian who would commence his career
on the stump by appealing to the
sentiments Of those of his own creed
would justly expect to have his pro
fession considered a part of his ora
tion. Hence Colonel Ingersoll, who
at LewistoHn, Maine, appealed to 8
"Chvistian-like spirit" cannot com
plain if any one shows just what title
he has to make such an appeal. AS
regards the Maine canvass, the mat
ter is more significant becau e che
candidate Of the Republicans for Mr.
Burleigh's seat is of the same Greco
as Colonel Ingersoll. However, W.
, are not aware that Mr.. Reed has evel
either mixed his infdelity with poll
tics, appealed to religious standard:
which he disowns and SCOTS at, o.
arraigned opponents for assumed vi
olations Of a code, the foundation O
which he denies. Colone lngersol
spares his opponents nothing, oithe
of fact, fancy or prejudice. He de
nounces all who differ with him il
terms we will not offend our reader
by repeating. He cannot justly com
plain, if, while villifying and know
ingly classifying the lives, beliefs an,
careers Of others, his own life ant
principles are truthfully told in hi
own words.
AS he proposes to remain on Oh
stump until after election, and en-
tighten New York and the West a
we'll as Maine, he will have no reaso
to complain if we should hereafte
show that in matters ofcommon hon
esty, recognized by all shades of be