Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-08-29

with the slightest reason for hoping his cleo
ton il must be one Of these two. Admit
ting the claim Of our independent friends
that the election Of either would be an evil,
that is, a misfortune to the country, is II
not the imperative duty Of every one, to
choose tho one whose election would bring
the enst calamity upon us? And unless our
friends have become Democrats in becoming
Independents, will they not admit that the
bringing in of Cleveland and tho Democratic
party would be the greater of the two eyils2
But It would seem that tho document which
we are considering intends to take tho moro
extreme ground that to vote for either Blnineor
Cleveland would be q sin, and that this sin
can be escaped by casting an independent
vote, which, it is plainly admitted, is the
same thing M voting in the Dir. But this is
precisely the same thing ns not voting OF all,
so far as concerns seeking the best good Of
the country. In gaining the ends Of the In
dependent club, ono may accomplish the
same thing by staying away from the polls as
by casting ballot for any one but Blaine
that is, the regular Republican majority Of
Vermont will be reduced the protest against
Blaine's nomination will have been made, the
determination not to aid in his election will
have been manifested. This raises the ques-
ton sharply and clearly-and it is really the
underlying moral question Of this whole In
dependent movement Is il right fer a citi-
zen 10 refuse to rotc, or 10 hyo,r aitdy his pote
IN this campaign
To this question we wish to give the reply,
in tones that cannot be mistaken, No ! We
hold that to refuse to vote, or to waste ones
vote this fall is an evasion of the responsible
ity Of citizenship which is a sin against hu.
man and divine law. We have q government
whore one vote counts just rs much as an
other, and where all matters of public inter
est are decided by the united votes OF all the
citizens. If therefore any ought to vote, all
ought to vote and of all who feel the obliga-
ton Of voting, the Christian should feel it
most keenly. No man has moral right 10
the blessings Of our government who will
not fairly and courageousy do his part in
solving the porplexing problems Of selfgov-
ornment which are upon US. The only wey
for high minded men to work revolution in
our government ia for them to take the posi-
ton that the ballot is a sacred trust, and can
not once be rightly neglected or abused. 1.
must in all cases be cast where, in the opin-
ion of the voter, the most good or the least
harm will be done.
To stay away from the voting place, to cast
blank ballot, or a vote for any but the two
leading candidates, these are Synonymous
acts, 80 far rs making ones desires effective
for the best good of the country. The Chris
tian citizen believes, as taught by the apostle
Paul that 1.-THE powers that be are ordained
of God 8" and to the American citizen this
means that our officers and laws are 10 be
obeyed, because allowed by God to exist 1t
means moro than this, namely that every
Christian citizen should not only obey laws
and rulors when made, but regard his consti-
tutional privilege of voting a religious duty.
Only when this belief enters every creed will
our land be safe. When the Christian citizen
feels it duty to do unlinchingly every act
connected with the franchise from the town
or ward caucus to the national election, then
only will conscience have made itself right
fully felt ia politics.
While We cast not breath of suspicion
against the oonscientousness Of our fellow
citizens who take the position advocated in
tho document we have been discussing, We
beg them to remember that consoientiousnoss
requires not only q willingness to stand alone
and to receive hard names, but also the ut
most candor, cautousness freedom from pre-
judice, and deliberation. Paul thought he
was conscientious in doing many things
against the name of Christ but he afterward
came 10 the conclusion that he sinned in the
heat of his prejudice and his failure to fully
understand the grounds and effect of his con-
duct. Above all things, conscience bids US
be willing to change when We find that we
have made mistake, even though pride
stands in our way We sincerely hope that
all who call themselves Republicans may see
that it is their duty, next Tuesday, to vote
to vote conscientiously, but to vote where
their ballot shall be potent in promoting some
good or Rverting some harm. LIE.