The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-12-18

u1cluTDcQs
Political selfshness cheapens in the
minds Of the people their apprehensions Of
the character and functions of the govern
duty of good citizenship and creates an at
mosphere in which Ubiquitous purposes
and designs lose their odious features. 1t
begins when perverted judgment is won
to the theory that political action may be
used solely for private gain and advantage,
and when a tender conscience is quieted
by the ingenious argument that such gain
and advantage are identical with the pub
lie welfare This stage having been
reached and self-interest being now fully
aroused, agencies are used and practices
permitted in the accomplishment OF It's
purposes, which seen in the pure light OF
disinterested patriotism, are viewed with
fear and hatred. The independent
thought and free political preference of
those whom Fate had made dependent
upon daily toll for hard-earned bread, are
strangled and destroyed by intimidation
and the fear of loss OF employment. Vile
unsavory forms rise to the surface of our
agitated political waters, and gleefully an
ticipate in the anxiety of selfish interest,
their opportunity to fatten upon corrupted
and debauched suffrage.
"This train of thought leads us to con-
slider the imminent danger which
threatens us from the intimidation and
corruption OF our voters.
''It is too late TO temporize with these
evils or to speak of them otherwise than
in the plainest terms. We are spared the
labor of proving their existence, for all
admit it, That they are terribly on the In
crease all must concede.
''Manifestly II the motives of all our cit
liens were unselhsh and patriotic, and if
they sought in political action only their
share OF the advantage accruing from the
advance OF our country at all points to-
ward her grand destiny, there would be no
place or occasion for the perversion OF our
suffrage. Thus the Inauguration of the
intimidation ana corruption of our voters
may be Justly charged to selfish schemes
seeking success through political action.
But these evils have been neglected by
honest men disguised with all political
endeavor; they have been tolerated
by respectable men who, in weakness of
patriotic sentiment, have regarded them
as only phases OF shrewd political manage
ment, and they have been actually en-
couraged by the honors which have been
bestowed upon those who boast OF their
use OF such agencies in aid OF party SUI
premacy,
MANY of us, therefore, may take to
ourselves a share of blame, when we find
confronting us these perils which threaten
the existence OF our free institutions, the
preservation of our national shonor and
the perpetuity OF our country The con-
dition annexed to the founding of our
government upon the suffrage OF the peo-
pie, was that the suffrage should be free
and pure. We consented to abide by the
honest preponderance of political
opinion, but we did nOtC0nsent that a free
vote, expressing the intelligent and
thoughtful sentiment of the voter, should
be balanced by vote of intimidation and
fear, or by an unclean, corrupt vote dis
gracefully bought and treacherously sold.
LET us look with degree of pity and
charity upon those who yield to fear
and intimidation in the exercise of
their right Of suffrage Although they
ought not thus TO Yield we cannot
forget that as against their free ballot,
they see in the scale their continued
employment, the comforts of their homes
and the maintenance of their families. We
need not stifle our scorn and contempt for
the wretch who basely sells his vote, and
who for a bride betrays his trust of citizen
ship. And yet the thought will intrude
itself, that he but follows in a low but
vulgar fashion, the example of those who
proceed upon the theory that political
action may be turned to private gain.
But whether we pity or whether we
hate, our betrayal is none the less COM
plete; nor will either pity or hate restore
our birthrighe. But we know that when
political seltishness is destroyed our dan
gers will disappear; and though the way
TO its stronghold may be long and weary
tr~au will follnu~ It Hnhffnrr Wa fThar
will be no surrender, nor will there be de-
sertions from our ranks. Selfshness and
| corruption have not yet achieved a lasting
triumph and their bold defiance will but
hasten the day of their destruction.
'As we struggle on and confidently in
vite a direct conflict with these intrenched
foes OF our political safety, we have not
failed to see another hope which has man
Tested itself to all the honest people in the
land. 1t teaches them that though they
may not Immediately destroy at their
| source the evils which afilict them, they
may check their malign influence and
guard themselves against their baneful re-
suits. 1t assures them that, if political
virtue and rectitude cannot at once be thor
oughly restored to the republic, the activ-
ity of baser clements may be discouraged.
1t inspires them with vigilant watchful-
| Hess anu u 10 prevent. as
far as possible, their treacherous BETRAYAL
by those who are false TO their obligations
OF citizenship.
This hope, risen like the Star in the
East, has fixed the gaze of our patriotic
fellow-countrymen; and everywhere-in
our busy marts OF trade and on farms
in our cities and in our villages-in the
dwellings Of the rich and in the homes OF
| the poor-in our universities and in our
workshOps-in our banking-houses and in
the ranks OF memorable toil-they greet
with enthusiastic acclaim the advent of
| ballot reform.
"There are no leaders in this cause.
| Those who seem to lead the movement
are but swept to the front by the surging
force of patriotic sentiment 1t rises far
above partisanship. and only the needless,
the sordid and the depraved refuse to join
| in the crusade.
'This reform is predicted upon the cool
deliberation of political selfishness in its
endeavor TO prostitute our suffrage to the
/ purposes of private gain. 1t is rightly sup
posed that corruption of the voter is en-
/ tered upon with such business calculation
that the corruptor will only pay bride
when he has occu ar proof that the suf-
/ frage he has bargained for is cast in his
interest. So, too, it is reasonably expected
that if the employee or laborer is, at the
/ time Of casting his ballot, removed from
the immediate control of his employer, the
futility OF fear and intimidation will lead