The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1891-01-23

~ Itu We >ct our tHftitNAt @Nftt"
sarics bent upon the passage Of Fed
eral law. with the scarcely denied pur-
pose ~ perpetrating partisan supremacy.
which inyadc> the States with election
machinery designed 70 promote Federal
interference with the rights Of the pco-
pie in the localities concerned. di>cred-
iting their honesty and fairness. and
justly arousing their Jealousy Of CEN
tralized power, we will stubbornly re-
sist such dangerous and revolutionary
scheme. in obedience 70 our pledge for
the support Of the state governments in
all their rights.
"Under anti-dcmocratic encourage
ment we have seen constantly incrcas-
ing selfishncss attach 70 our political af-
fairs. A departure from the sound and
safe theory that the people should sup
port the Government for the sake Of
the benefits resulting 70 all has bred
sentiment manifesting itself with
astounding holiness. that the Govern
ment may be enlisted in the further
ance and advantage Of private inter
ests. through their willing agents in
public place. such an abandonment OF
the idea Of patriotic political action on
the part Of these interests has natnr-
ally led to all estimate Of the peoples
franchise so degrading that il has been
openly and palpably debauched for the
promotion OF selfish schemes.
Nothing could be more hurtful 10
true and genuine Democracy than such
offenses against our free institutions. In
several of the States the honest senti-
- q. !. -. +...NI
in the support q every plan proposed
for the rectifcation Of this terrible
wrong. To fail in such support would
be 70 violate that principle in the creed
Of true Democracy which commands "A
jealous care Of the right ~ election by
the people. Tor certainly no one can
claim that Snfrages purchased or east
under the stress Of threat and int iInida-
tion represent the right Of election by
the people.
since free aud unpollutcd ballot
must be conceded as absolutely essen
tial ~ the maintenance Of our free in
stitutions. may perhaps be permitted 70
express The hope that the state OF Tenn
sylvania viii not long remain i.ehind
her sister States in adopting an effect
i've plan 70 prot peoples suffrage.
In any event the Democracy Of this
State can find no justification in party
principle nor in party traditions. nor
in a inst apprehension Of Democratic
duty. for failure earnestly y support
and advocate ballot reform.
II have thus far a,tcin pied To state
some OF the principles Of true Dcmoc-
racy. and their application to present
conditions. Their enduring character
and their constant influence upon those
who profess our faith have also been
suggested. If were now asked why
they have 50 endured and why they
have been invincible. should reply in
the words Of the sentiment TO which
respond: They are enduring because
they are right. and invincible because
they are just
II believe that among our people the
ideas which endure and which inspire
warm attachment and devotion are
those having some elements which APP
! peal TO the moral sense. When men
are satisfied that a principle is morally
right they become its adherents for all
time There is sometimes discourag.
ing distance between what our fellow
countrymcn believe and what
they do in such case.
but their action in accordance
with their belief may always be con-
fdcntly expected in good time. gov
! eminent for the people and by the
people is cvcrlastingly right As sure
" as this is true 80 surely is it true
that party principles which advocate
the absolute equality Of American man
hood and an equal participation BY all
. the people in the management of their
government. and in the benefit and pro-
! lection which il affords. are also right.
! Here IS common ground where the
: best educated thought and reason
may meet the most impulsive and in
stinetiye Amcricanism. II Is right
that every man should enjoy the result
! Of his labor to the fullest extent con-
! sistcnt with his memberships civilized
! community. II is right that our Gov
eminent should be tut the instrument
II the peoples viii. and that its cost
/ should be limited within the lines Of
|, strict economy. II i right that the infiu-
encc ofthe Government should be known
: in every hum ble home as the guardian ~
l frugal comfort and content and de-
/ Tense against unjust exactions and the
! uncarncd tribute pcrsistently coveted
! by the selfish and designing II i
! right that efficiency and honesty in pub
! lie service should not he sacrificed &c
: partisan greed. and il is right that the
4 suffrage Of our people should be pure
and free.
sThe belief in these propositions as
4 moral truths is nearly universal among
Z our countrymen. We are mistaken il
|, we suppose the time Is distant when the
! clouds ~ selfishness and pcryer~ion viii
: be dispcllcd and their conscientious be
= lief will become the chief motive forcs
Z in the political action Of the people.
~ understand all these truths to *
: included in the principles Of true DE
\ mOcracy. III we have not at all timci
= trusted as implicitly As we ought % ths
love our people have for the right II
= political action. or If we have not al
n ways relied sufficiently upon the stursi'
N advocacy Of the best things which b.
long 70 our party faith. these have beer