The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1889-12-18
BALLOT REFORM.

like Grover Cleveland us President
never makes speech that he doe
not leave a thought to history. a
Il Boston merchants banquet wher
Henry w. Grady, Andrew Carni
gle and w. l.. Putnam were honor
ed guests and orators, Clevelant
made the speech of the evening oi
Ballot Reform. After reviewing tn
conditions of our commercial rela
tons and the great part played il
the commercial world by the Boston
merchant, he turned his attention {,
the crying need of the.present day
ballot reform. He said
Political seltishness cheapens in til,
minds of the people their apprehension
of the character and functions of tn,
Government; it distorts every concep
ton of the duty of good citizenship ant
creates an atmosphere in which in
iquitous purposes and designs lose theii
odious features. 1t begins when per
verted judgment is won to the theory
that political action may be used solely
for private gain and advantage, ant
when fender conscience is quieted by
the ingenious argument that such gair
and advantage are identical with the
public welfare. This stage having beer
reached and self-interest being now full
ly aroused, agencies are used and prac
tees permitted in the accomplishment
of its purposes, which seen in the pure
light of disinterested patriotism, are
viewed with fear and hatred. The in.
dependent thought and free political
preference of those whom Fate has
made dependent upon daily toll for
hard-earned bread, are strangled and
destroyed by intimidation and the fear
of the loss of employment. Vile unsav-
DRY forms rise to the surface of our agi-
tated political waters, and gleefully an.
ticipate in the anxiety of selfish interest,
their opportunity to fatten upon cor
rupted and debauched suffrage"
Again after contrasting the. mo
tives of citizens with the great prin.
ciple of patriotism he proceeds;
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. Though they ought
not thus to yield, we can not forget
that against their free ballot, they see
in the scale their continued employ
ment, the comforts of their homes and
the maintenance of their families We
need not to stiile our scorn and con-
tempt for the wretch who basely sells
his vote, and who, for bride, betrays
his trust of citizenship. And vet the
thought will intrude itself, that he but
follows, in a low vulgar fashion, the ex-
ample 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 re-
store our birthnght But we know that
when political seltishness is destroyed,
our dangers will disappear; and though
the way to Its stronghold may he long
and weary, we will follow it -fghting AS
We go. There will be no surrender, nor
will there he assertions from our ranks.
Selfishness and corruption have not vet
achieved a lasting triumph and their
bold defiance will but hasten the day of
their destruction.
"As we struggle on and confidently in.
vite direct conflict with these en-
trenched foes of our political safety, we
have not failed to see another hope
which has manifested itself to all the
honest people of the land. 1t teaches
them that though they may not imme-
diately destroy at their source the evils
which aiilict them, they may check
their malign influence and guard them
selves against their baneful results. 1t
assures them that if political virtue and
rectitude cannot at once be thor
oughly restored to the republic,
the activity of baser elements
may be discouraged. 1t inspires
them with vigilant watchfulness and a
determination to prevent as far rs pos
sible their treacherous betrayal by
those who are false to the obligations of
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 our
our cities and in our villages
in the dwelling 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 ac-
claim the advent of Ballot Reform.
''Ihere are no leaders in this cause.
Those who seem to lead the movement
are but swept to the front by the surg
ing force of patriotic sentiment. 1t
rises far above craftsmanship and only the
needless, the sordid and the depraved
refuse to Join in the crusade"