Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-10-29
GO TO THE POLLS.

81 do not think I shall vote at ALL is a
remark we hear frequently, spoken by men
who claim to be good citizens. They are for
the most part men who talk loudly of the cor
ruption of politics, and the necessity of hav-
ing good men to fill the Offices. Yet when
the time comes when they can assist in plac-
ing good men in Offices of trust, they neg
lect the means, simply because they are too
lndolent to go to the polls, or because thew
do not like some nominee of the party with
which they have been associated.
While it is better not to vote at all than to
vote wrong, it emphatically the duty of
every American citizen to exercise the right
of suffrage. This duty should not be ne
elected on any consideration whatever, es-
pecially at the election week hence. There
is not the slightest doubt but large major
it> of the intelligent voters of the Third
district are opposed to the election of Wash
burn as their representative in the next
Congress. He is not man whose personal
or official character commends him to the
people. He has nothing in common with
tlem. The people are useful to him and
receive consideration at his hands ONLY as
far as he can use them to serve his selfish
purposes. On all other occasions he despises
and spits upon them. AS public man he
has been distinguished for the assiduity
With which he used the functions of his of
flee for his personal profit and to defraud
The people. He has never sought to benefit
the State in the slightest degree
unless by doing so he could
personally reap rich harvest. He has op-
posed schemes fer the development of the
business interests of the entire State and of
specific localities for the simple reason that
ne could not turn those enterprises to his
personal advantage. For years he has sought
Office persistently, and has violated every
obligation of friendship, honor and decency
taat he might attain his ambition. Profess
ing to be Republican, he has stood by the
party only when it did his bidding. He has
bolted its nominations oftener than he has
supported them; and for this reason every
Republican ought to be absolved from any
obligation to vote for him.
In his business relations the same i'm
pulses that governed him as a politician have
distinguished him. Greedy of wealth, he has
known no principle, no honor. He stole the
best portions of the pine lands of the State,
defrauded his creditors by fraudulent fail
ure, and has been Systematically robbing the
farmers by means of his swindling brass
tester. OF all these offenses he has been
convicted by the most incontestible proofs.
When such man, devoid of honor as pol
ltician or as business man, appeals to the
people for their suffrages, it is the imperative
duty of every citizen to rebuke him at the
polls. The man who does not vote on such
an occasion deserves to suffer from the effects
Of bad government. He has no right to
complain that the officials who administer
our affairs are venal and corrupt, if he does
not, by his vote, protest against their cleo
ton. No Democrat, especially, should neg
lect to cast his vote next Tuesday against the
unprincipled political adventurer who claims
the suffrages of the people of this district.