The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1889-03-08
Election Reform.

II Ia very gratifying to observe the general
interest now being manifested In the reform
Of our election laws. Those who have been
for years calling attention to the pressing
necessity Of throwing about the ballot boz
and about the elector further safeguards. In
order that the elections might not only DO
free and pure, but might clearly appear to DO
so, will welcome the accC ssion of any who did
not SO soon discover the need of reform. The
national congress has not as yet taken con-
troll Of elections In that case over which the
constitution gives its jurisdiction, but has
accepted and adopted the election laws of the
several states, provided penalties for their
violation nd method Of supervision. Only
the inefficiency of the state laws or the unfair
or partisan administration Of them could
suggest departure from this policy.
1t was clearly, however, in the contempla-
ton Of the trainers Of the constitution that
such All exigency might arise and provision
was wisely made for it. No power vested
In congress or in the executive to secure or
perpetuate it should remain unused upon
occasion. The people Of all the congressional
districts have an equal interest that the
election in each shall truly express the views
and wishes of the qualified electors residing
in other districts that they shall lie pure and
free does not SAVIOR at all Of impertinence
If in any of the states the public security 10
thought to be threatened by ignorance
among the electors, the obvious remedy Is
education. The sympathy and help Of our
people will not be withheld from any com.
munity struggling with special embarrass-
ments or difficulties connected with the
suffrage If the remedies proposed proceed
upon lawful lines and are promoted by just
and honorable methods. How shall those
who practice election frauds recover that
respect for the sanctity of the ballot which is
the first condition and obligation Of good
citizenship The man who has come to re-
gard the ballot box as juggler's hat has
renowned his allegiance.
Let us exalt patriotism and moderate our
party contentious. Let those who would die
for the flag on the field of battle give better
proof of their patriotism and higher glory
to their country by promoting fraternity and
justice A party success that is achieved by
unfair methods or by practices that partake
of revolution, is hurtful and evanescent,
even from party standpoint. We should
hold our differing opinions in mutual respect
and having submitted them to arbitrament
of the ballot, should accept an adverse judy
ment with the same respect that we would
have demanded Of our opponents If the do
cision had been in our favor.
Con clusion.
No other people have government more
worthy of their respect and love, or land
so magnificent in extent, 80 pleasant to look
upon, and so full of generous suggestion to
enterprise and labor God has placed upon
our head diadem, and has laid at our feet
power and wealth beyond definition or cal
culation. But we must not forget that we
take these gifts upon the condition that JUS
tice and mercy shall hold the reins of power,
and that the upward avenues of hope shall
be free to all the people. I do not mistrust
the future Dangers have been in frequent
ambush along our path, but we have uncov-
cred and vanquished them all. Passion has
swept some of our communities, but only to
give us new demonstration that the great
body of our Leople are stable, patriotic and law
abiding. No political party can long pursue
advantage at the expense Of public honor, or
bv rude and indecent methods, without pro-
test and fatal disaffection in it's own body.
The peaceful agencies of commerce are
more fully revealing the necessary unity OF
all our communities, and the increasing in
tercourse of our people is promoting mutual
respect We shall fl. q unaloyed pleasure in
the revelation whc9 our next census will
MAKE 81 the swift dc .ropment of the great
resources of some OF lie states Each state
will bring its genes ms contribution to the
great aggregate of the nations increase. And,
when thu harvest from the fields the cattle
from the bills, and ores Of the earth shall
have been weighed, counted and valued, We
will turn from them all to crown with the
highest honor the state that has most pro-
NOTED education, virtue, justice and patriot
ism among the people.
THE CABINET.