Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-01-14
ECONOMY in the public expense is an i'm
portant article in the true democratic faith

ECONOMY in the public expense is an i'm
portant article in the true democratic faith. |
THE POLICY OF FORCE.
When we see our political adversaries
bent upon the passage of federal law,
with the scarcely denied purpose of perpet-
uating partisan supremacy, which invades
the otates with election machinery designed
to promote federal interference with the
rights of the people in the localities con-
cerned, discrediting their honesty and fair
ness, and justly arousiug their jealousy of
centralized power, we will stubbornly re-
sist such dangerous ard revolutionary
scheme, in obedience to our pledge for ssthe
support of the State governments in all
their rights"
DFBAgCHERY OF THE BALLOT.
Under anti.democratic encouragement we
have seen a constantly increasing selfish.
ness attach to our political affairs. A de.
partuIe from the sound and safe theory
that the people should support the govern.
ment for the sake of the benefits resulting
Co all, has bred sentiment, manifesting
itself with astounding boldness, that the
government may De enlisted in the further
ancs and advantage OF private interests
ohAOuSh eAOih dS0uhc III PuuilC pldC6.
Such an abandonment of the idea of patri-
otto political action on the part of these
interests has naturally led to an estimate of
the peoples franchise so degrading that it
has been openly and palpably debauched
for the promotion of selfish schemes. -
Money is invested in the purchase of votes,
with the deliberate calculation that it will
yield profitable return in results adj
vantageous to the investor. Another
crime akin to this in motive and design is
the intimidation by employers of the voters
dependent upon them for work and bread.
Nothing could be more hateful to true
and genuine democracy than such offenses
against our free institutions. In several of
the States the honest sentiment of the
party has asserted itself in the support of
every plan proposed for the modification of
this terrible wrong. To fail in such sup
port would be to violate that principle in
the creed of true democracy which com
mands "a jealous care of the right of
election by the people," for certainly NO
cast under the stress of threat and intimi-
dation represent the right of election by the
people.
Since free and unpolluted ballot must
be conceded as absolutely essential to the
maintera nce of our free institutions, may
perhaps be permitted to express the hope
that the State of Pennsylvania will net
long remain behind her sister States in
adopting an effective plan to protect her
peoples suffrage. In any event the demo-
cracy of the State can find no justification
in party principle, nor in party traditions,
nor in just apprehension of democratic
duty for failure earnestly to support and
advocate ballot reform.
INCREASINGLY RIGHT.
| have thus far attempted to state some
of the principles of true democracy and
their application to present conditions
Their enduring character and their con-
slant influence upon those who profess our
faith have also been suggested. If I were
now asked why they have so endured and
why they have been lnvipcible, l should
reply in the words of the sentiment to
which I respond /: "They are enduring
because they are right and invincible be-
cause they are just"
| believe that among our people the ideas
which endure and which inspire warm at
| tachment and devotion are those having
some elements which appeal to the moral
sense. When men are satisfied that
principle is morally right they become its
adberents for all time. There is sometimes
dscouraging distance between what our
fellow.countrymen believe and what they
do in such case, but their action in &C
cordancs with their belief may always be
confidently expected in good time. A
government for the people and by the PEG.
pie is everlastingly right. As surely as
this is true SO surely is it true that party
principles which advocate the absolute
equality of American manhood and an
~ h., all hn 10 = 1o
management of their government and in
the benefit and protection which it sffords
are also right. Here is common ground
where the best educated thought and
reason may meet the most impulsive and
instructive Americanism 1t is right that
every man should enjoy the result of his
labor to the fullest extent consistent with
HIS membership in civilized communi y. 1t
is right that our government should be but
the instrument of the peoples will, and
that its cost should be limited within the
lines of strict economy. 1t is right that
the Influence of the government should be
known in every humble home as the
guardian of frugal comfort and content,
and defense against unjust exactlons and
the unearned tribute persistently coveted
By the selfish and designing. It is right
that efficiency and honesty in public service
should not be sacrificed TO partisan greed,
and it is right that the suffrage of our PEG.
pie should be pure and free.
The belief in these propositions as moral
truths il nearly universal among our coun-
trymen. We are mistaken if we suppose |
the time is distant when the clouds of
selfshness and perversion will be dispelled |
and their conscientious belief will become |
the chief motive force in the political &C |
ton of the people.
understand all these truths to be in |
cluded in the principles of true democracy.
If we have NOT at all times trusted as i'm |
plicitly as we ought to the love our people |
have for the right in political action. or if |
We have not always relied sufficiently upon |
the sturdy advocacy of the best things |
which belong to our party faith, these have
been temporary alterations which have
furnished their iaevita bic warning.
We are permitted to contemplate to-
night the latest demonstration of the pee
ple's appreciation of the right, and of the
acceptance they accord to democratic
doctrine when honestly presented. In the
campaign which has just closed with such
glorious results, while party managers were
nticiPating the issue in the light of the
continu a illusion of the people, the people
themselV.s and for themselves were con-
sidering the question of right and justice.
They have spoken ard the democracy of
the land rejoice.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
In the signs of the times and in the re-
suit of thei late State campaign tie demo,
cracy of Pennsylvania must find hope and
inspiration. Nowhere has the constituencies
of the people on questions involving right
and wrong been better illustrated than
here. At the head of your State govern
ment there will soon stand a disciple of
true democracy, elected by voters who
would have the right and not the wrong
when their consciences were touched. -
Though there have existed here conditions
and Influences not altogether favorable to
an unsel6sh apprehension of the moral at
,toc Of s,olikianl dooiri.,o khnA