The University daily. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 18??-????, 1890-06-12

This tendency is manifested in
flour general directions: accordigg to
nationality, according to interest, ac-
cording to section. and according to
party. From the immense heap Of
promiscuous immigrants annually
dumped on our shores, segregate
bands Of voters under the denomi-
nation sof the Irish vote German
vote, the italian vote, etc, which
show, in no uncertain light, the first
tendency. The existence Of a liquor
vote, to be cast for the ticket regard
less of other issues, is only too real,
The South will go solidly for its
ticket, while it would be treason for
q native born citizen to desert the
party Of his utilization.
This consolidated vote is often
largely mercenary. 1t thus becomes
a powerful curruptor of the ballot.
BY reason of its power, it is courted
| by legislators and administrators OF
government. To it they will make
most humiliating and dangerous
concessions. Being, in part, the fos-
ter child of the spoils system, it now
renders to that most political insti
tuition benefcent return by making
its perpetuation possible "Muzzling
the Press, though intended as an
opprobrious epithet, bears a painful
significance to the thoughtful Amer
lean.
Labor troubles, another absorbing
question ofthe day, are greatly ag-
gravated, if not entirely sustained,
By the direct and indirect influence
of this agent.
Anarchists are but long stride
in advance of labor organizations in
sef-confidence and activity, and a
long stride behind them in intelli.
gence. They are bound together by
and for the very principles they eS
ecrate. They are pledged to act in
Unison and, for a mere pittance, they
will barter that which is most sac
cred to the loyal American citizen,
whose immaculate hands are busted
in the upbuilding of the republic
The man who deposits his ballot
untainted and untrammeled by the
touch of the politician, free from evr
cry influence that obscures the true
object<of suffrage, above all, in per-
feet harmony with his conscientious
convictions, brings the best offerings
to the shrine de his country. The
trend of the solid vote is against
this It too often obscures indiyid-
ual responsibility. In their blind
adherence to Organizations, men sup
port measures and candidates they
would not deign to recognize, were
their indiviaAal Judgments consulted
When viewed in this light, the
words of no seer are needed to re-
veal the Turing influence of this
political mirage. Born Of the craft
Of the ward politician and fed upon
the ignorance and delusion of the
illiterate and alien, the solid vote ID
sapping the strength of the govern
ment. Other dangers there are, but
many of them are more or less de-
pendent for their existence upon
this, the most potent Of all political
evils.
II remains to inquire whether
there is hope of deliyeranee from
this tremendous evil, which threat
ems to sweep from the earth this re.
public the last and greatest effort of
freedom, or whether, with the knell
Of the ninteenth century shall
sound the knell of liberty. Hope
comes from two sources.
Restriction of the suffrage might
destroy the solid vote. But that is
contrary to the spirit Of the Consti-
tuition and the sentiment of the cit
liens. The other source, then, must
be sought. It is found in the com
bination Of three measures: the re-
striction of immigration, the use of
more drastic measures with ballot
corruptors, and the education and
enlightment of our citizens. OF
these three, the first is in order to-
the last. The second is needed TO
curb the corruption which exists at
present and which in part, will be
transmitted to posterity. The last
is truly the saving principle of the
Republic. In it democracy had it.
Commensurate with its growth, de-
mocracy has developed into stupen-
dous proportions that now dazzle the
eyes Of ad1nfring millions. As it
extends its widening influence, dem
ocracy will grow until, under its
benefeient protection, the whole
world shall rest,