Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-08-31


publican States to increase the majority
as it is for those in close States to obtain
a majority. The ballot is a privilege and
carries with 1t a duty. The man who
stays at home on election day and refus-
es to perform that duty is a shirk, a po-
litical tramp. Every good citizen should
seek by the use of his vote to MAKE this
best government on earth better. He
should see to it that those elected to office
are honest and capable and are on the
right side of current issues. There are
many questions before the American peo-
pie today and it would be impossible to
organize a party to further each of them.
The wise man, therefore, is the one who
chooses that party which best champi-
ons the most vital of the issues. In all
A~nglo-Saxon countries we find the divis-
ion between the two great contending
parties is based on their ideas of govern
ment. One says that the best govern
ment is that which governs least, in other
words, that the true policy is, teach man
for himself and the devil take the hind
most" This is the Democratic idea.
The opposite theory, which is that
held by the Republicans, may be
called the helpful policy, the principle
of which was expressed by the Saw
Jour, when he said, Whatsoever We
would that others should do unto you,
do ye even so unto Them There are
three principal issues before Americans
today. The first is the preservation of the
purity of the ballot. Every voter should
have the right to cast his vote as his con-
science dictates and to have that vote
counted. l have no sympathy with those
who grow red in the face when the subject
of ~bulldozing at the South is mentioned.
Blu fraudulent elections are not confined
to the South. The situation is as bad in
the great northern cities as it is in the
South. The Democrats have always OPP
posed both in State legislatures and in
Congress all legislation looking to the
preservation of the purity of the ballot
and all such legislation has been carried
through by the Republicans. The fact is,
the Democrats don't want free elections.
The second vital issue is the tariff. As
for steel rails, the process was we'll es-
tablished when the high prices prevailed.
1t is said that the tariff favors trade COM
binations; but if this were true, which it
is not, for trusts exist in England, the
tariff would have the effect of making
the American and English trusts compet-
itors in our markets and we should get
the benefit of that competition. The
extent of immigration shows that Amer
lea is the best country on the face of the
earth for the workingman. The third is
sue is the saloon problem. That prob
lem can best be solved by the Republican
party, which was built up on the idea of
elevating humanity and today contains
three-fourths of the better element of the
country. That party has made mistakes,
but its general course has been for the
right. The saloon is not simply a drink
ing-place, but an instrument for making
drunkards. 1t was impossible that the
Republican party should not take ground
against this curse. 1t might nave gone
farther, perhaps should have gone far
ther; but, after all, the plank adopted at
Chicago ("The first concern of all good
government is the virtue and sobriety of
the people and the purity of their homes.
The Republican party cordially sympa-
thizes with all wise and well directed eff
forts for the promotion of temperance
and morality y is the broadcast plank
adopted by any national convention this
year. 1t is more comprehensive. even.
than the Prohibition platform, for tina,
favors but one method of suppressing in.
temperance. What are wise and well di.
, rected efforts? Six States have declared
for prohibition. The Republican plank
endorses their action. Other States have
2 adopted high license and the plank in.
cludes them also. The speaker declared
, and gave facts showing that the third
party people belittle the accomplishment,
of the Republican party in the direction
, of prohibitory legislation. He said tina
not a single law for the promotion of TEN
Z peIdiiSt iau DccH pdsocu III any nOTllleTI
. State since the birth of the Republican
party which had not been championed b,
that party and opposed by the Demo
, Gratis. Such reasoning as is indulge,
p in by the Pro~hibitionists shows that thei
cause is a lame one. The speaker sal,
that the t%hird-party leaders seek deliber
ately to assist the Democrats and to de
n stroy the Republican party. There ar
many reasons why the Prohibitionist
+, should Join hands with the Republican.
The friends of a cause ought to stan
4 together. 1t is a mans duty not only t
# do what is right, but to prevent the dom
q of wrong. 1t is certain, on the on
hand, that the sentiment of the Republ
y can party is against the rum traffic, an
it is equally certain, on the other, tha
the Democrats uphold it. 81 love tn