Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-07-26

times. Earnestness and clearness of con-
viction ought TO take the citizen from his
most pressing work to the ballot box, and
give him force in speech whenever he sees
chance TO do good by uttering his opinions.
l know that in urging political activity as
well as intelligence, am running against a
sentiment which has become widespread
a feeling that an active politician is of ne
cessity dealer iu questionable deeds, fol.
lower Of INSCRIPTIONS men and methods.
1t is sadly true that the very word "poli-
tician has come to have bad flavor, and
why ? Through the apathy and neglect of
good citizens, quite as much as through the
dishonest methods of the men whom we
call demagogues. Many Of the most truly
intelligent, cultured citizens have shrunk
from all political activity. They have made
the brief visit to the polls, but in the dis
cussion Of measures and in the selection Of
candidates their voice has been silent; and
they strive in vain at the ballot box to re-
pair the injury done by not attending the
caucus or primary meeting. This is all
wrong, and we are beginning to find 1t out.
A republican government needs all the best
gifts of all the best minds. It was thus
that our Constitution came into beng; IL
was thus that the great questions Of our
mastery address, few days ago, George
William Curtis showed conclusively how,
from the Revolution down, the best edu.
Gated men have been our national leaders.
So must it still be. The scholar must come
forth from his solitude and give to the
minute of political machinery the benefit
of his knowledge. Let me quote once more
from the words of Schurz The scholar
is very much needed in politics, and he is
needed in Masses That those who have
knowledge should make the influence of
that knowledge felt in the discussions by
which public opinion is formed and the gov
ernment controlled, is of vital necessity"
Shall mention just one direction in which
the intelligent activity of every citizen is
now specially needed 1t is the reform of
our civil service. Talk about the need of
reform has become stale plans of reform,
backed up with consistent votes, are very
timely. Is it a fact that any office-holder Of
the government, however faithful and eff
cient, is liable to be instantly turned out if
he refuses to hand over part of his salary
to help the campaign committee of the Re-
publican party keep that party in power
If this is fact, we want to know it, and we
want to know what to do about it; and
then we want to do it. And thus wherever
there is need of agitation, of discussion, of
reform, of the earnest word and eloquent
vote,-wherever such need may be, there
speaks the voice of our country and the
voice of our Divine Master, saying Rem
der unto Caesar the things that are Caesars ~
Ihrd-I mention one thing more which
we need to remember as we try to do the
perfect service of citizenship-purlyo of pri-
Udte life. He has not done all he can or
ought, who places on his country's altar the
offerings of intelligence and activity with
uncledn hands. There is great deal said at
present about purifying the politics of this
nation, purifying our elections, purifying
our legislation and civil service. Purify
the private life of every voter, and how
much corruption will you find in public
places Make the individual voters honest,
and how many frauds will you find in In.
dian agencies or postal star routes A few
months ago man living with four wives
| sought his familiar seat in Congress, and
| quieted very etfectually the tardy indigna-
tion of certain Congressman by suggesting
that their private life was notoriously un.
clean. We say rightly that an adulterous
| Senator or Representative is a national dis.
grace but if you once Danish licentiousness
| from the mass of voters, think you it will
appear in the men whom we send to Wash
ington The simple fact is just here,-o,r
representatives represent us; and the public
life of man is just as good and clean and
strong as his private life, no more, no less
The Inference from these facts is very plain.
If we want purity in our public men and in
our public acts, we must demand it and we
cannot with any consistency demand in 9th
ers what we know to be right for ourselves
and refuse to do. Let us purify our own
lives, and we have cleansed politics