Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1890-06-20
esssS County 9rrala.
ISLAND POND, VT, JUNE 20.
Political DemOraIizaIiOn-its
Remedy.

Il must be evident to al who have
given any thought to the subject
that reform is imperalively needed
in our electoral system. Party
Juggling by which each set Of poll
ticiaus in turn strives 10 get the
better of the other, has become a
crying abuse. As things now stand
in this State the people are a foot
bali for the politicians to play with.
This ought not to be, and would |
not he SO were there not sort OF
tacit admission in the minds of the
people that all is fair in politics, as
in love and war; that both parties
are understood as playing a game
in which the clcveresl must win,
regardless of the means employed;
and that to be honest and honorable
Is to court defeat and disaster. This
deplorable condition of the public
mind is a convincing proof of the
prevailing Generalization. A states
man who had the welfare of the
country more at heart than an
ephemcral election success, and who
was inspired by lofty motives Of
patriotism, would strive to correct
this degraded attitude Of the cleo.
torate by just and wise reforms.
But it seems that either we do not
possess such statesmen, or else they
are powelIess against the schemlngs
0. faction. 1t is quite evident, how
ever, that this is an evil which must
work Its own cure when some great
issue arises and the heart and con-
science of the people are touched,
and they will revolt against so dis
Solute 4 system and send the whole
tribe Of political vampires into ever,
lasting obScuritY.
Already men are beginning to feel
the reproach that attaches to the
paralysis inflicted on them by tn,
party machines. a sense Of degrad
atior, that even dog feels when h,
is kicked and dare not snap back, il
coming over many men who enjoyed
the fun Of seeing their political op
poncuts cheated and humbug ged
now that they find themselves in
ike position. Thus again is de
monstrated the old saying tina
honesty is the best policy, Upoj
this revival of public spirit, veal
and hcsitating though it may be a
present, the hope uay be built o
better and purcr methods in til
public life Of our country. Men d
not willingly yield to corruplio
and at heart are always, like tn
boys in theatre, warmly on tn
side of virtue and ever ready t
applaud noble sentiments, althoug
they themselves may be very roug
and tumble moralistS.
But how to give direction t
the better desires of the people an,
help them to rise to higher plan
than that TO which an evil genera
tion of dcmagoguo politicians ha
thrust them down, is the great prac
tical question to those who may b
SO happy as to gain their attention
There is a way, very simple way
If only some one in power had tn
germs and the courage to adopt i
or if a determined minority woul
demand and agitate for it. In
word, let us have compulsory voting
and make canvassing statutor
offence. Dsfranchise forever TIL
man who offers bride. Adopt tn
principle OF making the exercise ,
voting duty the same as servin
on jury or bearing arms in defenc
of the country. No citizen shout
be permitted to shirk his duty at a
election any more than in time c
invasion. Indeed the civil obligi
ton Is as great to resist internal foe
working Tor the destruction of pull
lie morals and popular liberties, {
it is to line the frontier against
foreign invader. Here we have til
remedy for the evils that afilict tn
body polite. 1t only requires tn;
it should be taken up in earnest b
the better minded among US to wi
a victory for public virtue and goo
government.
----------
Town HnnraganantEra.