Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1891-06-23
n. FrLTi wORNwOOu
" riitsn fof the O1f
FAIR PLAY

4 communication In a rcccnt Demo
crat l. now before me. Although no
name l. mentioned, the writer evidently
refer. "a an article ~ mine which APP
| p.arci In the Democrat few weeks ago,
and b. seems to have discovered therein
the text for quite a lengthy sermon.
Either through mi.conception 0r from
some other cause, b. has failed to fairly
represent the meaning which the LAM
guagr ~ that article should convey.
certainly have NO great fears ~ class
legislation, aud hardly see how word
~ caution to farmers against banding
together for that purpose, can b. 80 con-
.trued. yet a. the times go word of
caution seem. not wholly inapt, for IL u
true that persistent cffOrt !. being made
to unite the farmer. AZ political party,
aud great promise. Of better thing. are
freely offered when they shall have gain
ed control ~ the government.
That such movement can ever have
more than a local or temporary Influence
seem. hardly probable, the banding to-
gcther II any onc elias. for political pur-
po.e- seems wholly unnatural, and can
only be- accomplished by the coercion to
a great extent of freedom ~ personal
opinion. Hut II any such movement
ever 1. crowned with success, venture
10 predict that II will to say the least
bring no good Ia the country. Ihe
state l. not the individual nor the class,
bat the people. the rhois people.
Have Ne cla.. lcgi.lailon' let him who
knowcth thereof stand forth aud speak.
am willing Ia BE- enlightened, though
by 80 doing my faith Ia the attributes of
truth aud Justice shall b. .orcly wound
cd. What and for whom and by whom
are the legislative powers thu. prostl-
tuicdi Until the proofs are forhcom-
Ing prefer to continue In the belief OF
the existence of such thing a. public
purity, though DO but show how dense
|. INV ignorance by sO doing.
again, the writer represents me thus
"prrfcrring the lawyer rather than the
Ignorant farmer for law maker. IL
that fair construction of what ! did
.ay, which, IL mistake not, was like
this: II would rather have an AOasst,
iHisHigsHf lawyer to legislaie for me,
than an honest, Ignorant farmer"
think 1 added something with regard Ia
Integrity and ability a. the true standard
by which to measure men, but a. have
not the article referred to by me, ]
cannot say what were the exact words
there chosen.
Thl. 1 10 believe; An honest man OF
whatever calling may b. safely trusted
to do Justice .o far a. u possible to all
clas.e. Of hi. constituents. hut htnes.
l. necessary 10 the performance of good
work. N man I. honest aud capable,
aud hIs party view. are In accord with
your own, there need be- no hesitation In
supporting him for public Office.
llut doe. the author really believe
what be has put down In his article
about a..essorsf will acknowledge that
NV opportunities for personal ob.erya-
tion, la the matter have been somewhat
limited, bat .o far a. my experience goes
4 have found that the assessor. az rule
are chosen not for property qualifica-
tIons, bat for integrity aud ability, and
Ia majority of cases regardless. OF party
views.
Even II II were true that men 81 wealth
were Invariably selected for that posi-
ton would II not be- preposterous TO
suppose that they would stultify them
seIye. by falslfying their solemn oaths
"a .hIrk the payment of just taxesf j
hardly think there are many, even
among confirmed tax dodgers, but what
would hesitate at having the weight Of a
false oath on their consciences. \
wrong I. not the less wrong because
pursued by the multitude.
when We apply the yardstick OF q
nelghbor's conscience to measure our
own actions, We may In measure feel
Justified. There l. a CERTAIN degree Of
Inward satisfaction In saying, III am no
worse than my fellows" but Heaven
doe. not mcte out its rewards by any
such rule. The stern hat often goes
forth, weighed In the balance and found
wanting" y. ;. BAKER.