Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1882-10-07
THE COMING PRUssIAN ELECTIONS.
REpI1N Sent L 1880

EDITOR N. Y. NATION:-The cleo
ton tor the next Prussian Landtag
will take place in October, probably
toward the middle of that month.
As they are not held under the rules
of universal suffrage, but under an
indirect system which. prescribes
three classes of electors. each OF W hlch
has the same Representations, although
only few taxpayers may constitute
the first or second class, the agitation
OF the parties thus far ia rather secret
aud the participation of the people
rather small. The candidates of the
different parties lave mostly been
nominated, but their names will not
be published before the commence
ment of the campain, III September,
which measure will shield them few
weeks longer against the calumnia-
tions and ISLANDERS of the opposite
party. Do not Imagine that our po-
liticul elections are, carried on with
that candor and fairness which be-
comes an educated people; on the
contrary, in this respect we have but
too soon initiated the mauners aud
customs ot the oldest political coll
stitaencies. The tone of Berlin
election, for instance, will not stand
much behind q primary of New
York ward, with the sole exception
Of Notwithstanding, to which the
German is not yet accustomed. Aud
what is worse here than withyou,if
AM permitted TO finish the compare
son Of Berlin with New York, is that
here 1t is not only tie small fry, the
political rabble, which attends to the
mean business of electioue .ring, but
clergymen, like the notorious court
preacher Stocker, official, sO.cailed
young noblemen and otiice-helders i'll
high positions, who wish to draw at
tention to their patriotic merits, and
to be rewarded accor.iingly.strike the
Keynote in the Conservative camp.
For the last R.ichslag election the
conservatives. although they ought 10
have known beforehand that they
could not conquer a single seat III
this city, gave Tree theatrical repre-
sentations. concerts, public smnse-
mente, aud free lager to the voters,
in order to win them to their side.
In the rural districts the parties re-
sort to other means. Thus, iu the i'm
mediate neighborhoOd of Berlin the
adversaries of a liberal candidate who
was very popular with the farmers as
| well as in the small towns, and who
had been sent to the Reichstsg in
three consecutive elections, spread and
even published the rumor that II the
said gentleman were elected for q
fourth time, his constituency would
have IL pay him lifelong pension
of 500 marks y year (about 81 ,100).
Now, the members Of the Reichstag
receive no salary, which fact, if there
were no other consideration, would
prove that member of that body
who serves gratuit0usly is not en-
titled to any emolument; but naming
the exact amount Of the pension, and
the positive assurance that il would
not have to be paid except after y
fourth election, made SO great an
impression OH the minds of the
farmers aud small-town tradespeople
that they defeated their own old can
didate and help to elect conserva-
tive. The liberals, on the opposite
side, having less means ut their con-
maud, must raise every cent among
themselves, ana number less inf1uen-
tial persons in their ranks, but they
work with greater energy aud with
more method. Their country press
is better organized, aud gives the
people PLAIN truths, which every
voter understands. while the COLI
servatives' pamphlets, except those
which indulge in abuse and personal
attacks, are written in prOiessOrial
tone, unintelligible to the masses.
The liberals, TOO. agitate better i'll the
rural districts, aud attract greater
crowds to their meetings. In consid'
Grafton Of the fact that u successful
deputy has not siugle tide-waiter.
ship 10 bestow on his most trusted
aud energetic friend, aud that the
liberal rank and file. who for their
positions are dependent on the gov
ernment, or even OH the L1ndrath OF
gendarme, can every day be punished
or ill-treated by their superlors. toe
much praise cannot be bestowed OH
the great mass of the electors. who
risk more than they can gain, very
often suffer heavily, but nevertheless
stick to the liberal platform.
To return, however,to the impend.
ing elections for the Lsndtag, there il
every reason to anticipate liberal
victory. While Oh former occssioni
the liberals OF all shades marched
alone aud worked for themselves
thus splitting their votes aud weak
ening their influence. they are this
time appre ciating the old wisdom oj
acting harmouiously together. II
is the merit of all able parliamcnte
rian, Professor Haenel, of KIel, t.
have brought this hourly truth Il
the minds of the lead, rs aud of th,
masses. '.Let us stand by each other
and. without breaking up existing
3 party ties, offer united front to th,
7 conservatives. Such is the sppea
which resounds from all parts of tht
country. Let the differences which
. separate the several organization
, among the liberals remain untouched
but let US not lose sight of the mail
peiut-i. e., the common fight agsIns
the conservatives, and the creation
of "a liberal majority. Do away Will
the patriotism, or, rather, the partic
ularisln, of cliques anu factions
e ignore or suppress the jealousies o
: the real or imaginary party leaders
but, in the common interest, help Il
( build up liberal party which, j
8 every one does his duty. will ant
I must rule the councils of the nation.'
e This parole will animate the exer
Y tioms of the liberals. In the election
= for the last house of deputies of tn
\ Landta., the party of progress hat
e lost forty.two per cent. aud th
: national liberals about the same NUN
! Der. Among 435 members there wa
: a liberal minority of l45. Now,
G the liberals wish 20 regain their in
;. tluential position, they must recon
i quer some seventy or eighty seats
II A, under less auspiciOus circumstail