Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1876-11-08
Some Reflections.

II Is not 100 MucH 10 SLY tHtI Ncly HteiS
has been urged during the four months
since the campaign opened, either IN the
newspapers or from the platform. instruct
ing the people in the principles of political
economy. Republicans have denounced
Democrats and Democrats have repaid the
drnunciation with interest. In Democratic
language, Republicans were all corrupt
r.scals and thieves. In Republican Ian
guagc, Democrats only lacked the oppcr-
tunities of office TO make them worse than
Republicans. Yet these two parties nearly
divide the voters of the republic into
halves. Did either side believe what they
affirmed of the other? If they did. what
shall be said of that people where Zach
looks upon his n~cighbor as a villain?
l. there no other way of fighting a po-
litical battle: Are there no principles AT
stake? No questions of policy upon which
the voters can divide? Or is it only a
question rs to the men who shall hold the
offices. get the government contracts, and
enjoy the spells of Il party victory l.
government and its management some
thing Iy which the poop e are to be made
secure in their rights of person and prop
cry, or is it only something through
which the professional politicians are to
got Il living without much work? If the
latter. then tn re appears TO be 4 method
in the political madness Of such Il cam
paign is the one just closed. The dust
raised. the clamor, the scnselcss noise of
the stump speakers, the foolishne>s of pro
ccssions and banners and torches. the
money and time and temper wasted, all
have their uses, rs they serve to make the
voters think tn It some serious business is
in hAnd-1hat the destiny Of the country.
and the prosperity of the people. are really
to be decided ut the blllot-box, when in
fact all there is to be settled is whether A
shall r,maln in Office. or shall be removed
and b shall have his place.
There is no doubt that many voters sup
posed the issues were quite different from
his, and h nestly voted one way or the
olhcr in the belief that such n vote would
put honest men in Office, or protect the
freedmen at the south, or give the country
sound money, or bring about some reform
in The civil service.-bu III if any one sup
poses. if here had been no other issue, that
we should have seen such Il campaign as
we have gone through, he is very much
mistaken.
The Democratic managers have had in
view the 10000 offices, more or less. with
all their opportunities, now held by Re-
public,ns. and no one supposes that they
were fighting for anything but a chance at
that plumber. But how about the 10000
Republicans holding these offices. and
their friends? Were they any less anxious
to stay in than the others to get it? A
camp,ign without the hope of the 'spoils.'
on either side. would be a very tame at
fair. although it would present an opror-
tunity. perhaps, now seldom offered, Of
considering in y rational way the real
problems of good government.
And it is these questions. after AL, in
which the people only have an interest 1t
i, of no consequence to the mass of the vOt-
tiers who is in Office, provided the official is
honest and understands his business; but
it is of some consequence that presidents
and members Of Congress should be some
thing besides stump speakers or expert
politicians. 1t is Of consequence that the
civil service should be managed upon the
business principles Which induce Il bank or
y merchant. having II good servant, to keep
him. 1t is of consequence that the iinan-
crs of the country should not be deranycd
by governmental action, and to secure
this that the ltw-makers should have Il
thorough knowledge of political economy.
1t is Of consequence that the people should
te left with the largest liberty consistent
with good order, and that this may be So
tie lawn, kers should have some acQuaint-
,nce with the principles of government
Ii is Of consequence that the people should
free u, possible from the extctions Of AK
alton. IN to this end, the legislator should
be informed that there are limits to tina
robbery of the people that now goes under
the n me Of taxation for the public good
A political campaign in which these ques-
tons We're intelliyently discussed, and the
scllishness, the prrjudices and the pros
poets of the professional politicians Were
thrust into the background. would be re-
frc,hing and instructive. How long must
we wait for it?