The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-15
The New Generation of Voters.
In the course OF recent address Mr.
WENDELL PHILLIPS used these words:

In the course OF recent address Mr.
WENDELL PHILLIPS used these words:
"where is the danger todAvi Gentlemen. It is not In
me men that have survived the war, but in the 10
are 80 to-day. and who In their teens when the
fearful lesson Of the read The men who IS
80 to-day know nothing OF that terrible experience
Is the who In their baby clothes just
o. their cradle when the given to
the men In 1861. They hold the balance today
No one who stops to think that moro than
half generation has passed since the
firing on Sumter can fail to appreciate the
force OF what Mr.. PHILLIPS says. In the
nineteen years which will separate that
momentous event from the election Of 1880,
Q very large proportion Of the voters who
will then cast their ballots have grown
from infancy TO manhood All Of the popu-
lation under thirty years OF age, and
the part OF 1t TO which the men
who fought tho war or endured it's
strain at homo must before many
years commit the Government, were
babes In arms whom LINCOLN was inaugu-
rated, or were young children whose mem
cries OF those times are now dim and con-
fused. They know nothing by experience of
the politics anterior TO tho rebellion, the
great anti-slavery fight in which the coun-
try got such priceless moral and political
training was waged before they were born,
and tho war In which II eliminated Is to
them only associated with military pa
geants and personal bereavements which at
the time Of their occurrence made merely
transitory impression on their minds and
furnished food for the childish Imagination
II is this generation which sprnng up
during the war and which has gained its
maturity since the close OF tho conflict, that
now furnishes the pupils for our political
teachers who got their training In tho tenn
pestuous days from the Mexican war until
the assassination of LINCOLN, and during
the unhappy period Of reconstruction. In
five years more the generation born aftor the
war will furnish another new and great
body OF recruits 10 the army OF voters, and
only fraction Of those who actually fought
in the conflict or were living during its con-
tinuance will be lett to cast their ballots.
But where is the danger to-day from this
new host OF voters which advances over the
graves OF the men OF the period OF anti
slavery agitation There is no danger from
these young men and the youth who are
preparing to join their ranks, IL they are
taught to prize and defend the freedom OF
the ballot and TO jealously guard it against
the unrepubican and fatal assaults of the
party which is prepared to strike down lib
erty in order to keep its hold on power.
The discussion OF the questions raised by
this great issue will involve tho treatment
OF the principles which lie at tho foundation
OF our republican system. Let our young
men follow it diligently. for so they will get
m education in politics which will equal in
value that of any generation since the estab-
lishment OF tho Government. so far from
anticipating danger from this fresh blood
Of politics. we look to see it give new and
healthier vitality to tho whole body. The
freedom OF the ballot Is tho watchword for
the young army OF voters.