Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-04-07

elective system is only less criminal than
the traitor who fights against his country
with a foreign invader. The one com-
passes his end by fraud, the other 0y force.
The privilege Of voting is not an inherent
orinallenable right. IL is solemn ana
sacred trust 10 be used IN accordance with
the intentions of the authority from wnicn
Il emauates.
When acitizen exercises his honest Judg-
ment in casting his vote Tor the most ac-
ceptable candidate, he is making leglIl-
mate use Of the prerogatives connded 70
him. But when he sells or 0arters MS
vote, when be diSposes OF 1t TO the nlgeSt
bidder, like a merchantabie commodity, ne
is clearly violating his trust and degrading
ais citizenship.
tbs ENOBNITY OF TBE oFFENsE
will be readily perceived by pushing 1t to
us logical consequences:
First-Once the purchase OF votes IS tol-
Grated or eOudoned OF conDived at, the OBJ
vious result is that the right OF suffrage De
comes a solemn farce. The sovereignty Is
no longer vested IN the people, but IN cor
rupt politicians or wealthy corporations:
money instead Of merit becomes the test OF
success: the election is determined, not oy
The personal lhtnsSS and integrity or the
candidate. but oy the length OF his own or
his patron purse, and the aspirSnt tor tne
Office owes his victory, not 10 the votes OF
his constituents, but 10 the grace OF some
political boss.
Second The better class Of citizens will
lose heart and absent themselves from the
polls, knowing that il is useless 70 engage
in a contest which is already decided oy
irresponsible managers.
Third-Di disappointment, veXatiOn and
righteous indignation viii burn IN the
breasts OF upright citizens. These sentl-
ments will be followed by apathy ana deS-
pair Of carrying out successfully a popular
form of government. The enemies OF Tue
Republic will then take advantage OF the
existing scandals 10 decry our system anu
land absolute mOsarchies. The last stage
In the drama is political stagnauon or rev.
OlutiOn.
But, happily, the American people are
not prone 10 dependency or TO political
stagnahon, or 70 revolution outside OF the
lines Of legitimate reform. They are cheer
ful and hopeful, because they are conscious
OF their strength; and well they may be
when they reflect on the century OF or0eals
through which they have triumphantly
passed. They are vigilant, because they
are h0erty-Oving, and they know that
Eternal vigilance is the price Of liberty"
They are an enlightened and practical peo-
pie; therefore are they quick % detect and
prompt 70 resist the first inroGds OF cor
ruption. They know well how to apply
the antidote 10 the political distemper OF
the hour. They have the elasticity. OF
mind aud heart 10 rise TO the occasion.
They will never suffer the stately temple
OF the Constitution 10 be overthrOwn, but
win hasten 10 strengthen the foundation
where il is undermined, TO repair every
breach, and 10 readiust every stone OF the
glorious edlhCe,
In conclusion, I shall presume TO suggest,
with all Difference, a brief outline OF what
appear 70 me the most efficient means to pre-
serve purity OF elections and to perpetuate
our political independence.
APUBDIC CONSCIENCE.
Many partial remedies may be named.
The main purpose of these remedies Is 70
foster and preserve what may be called
public conscience In the individual man,
conscience is that inner light which directs
him in the knowledge aud choice Of good
and evil, that practical judgment winch
prOnOunCes over every one OF his acts, that
il is right or wrong, moral or immoral.
Now, this light and Judgment which directs
men I'm the ordinary personal affairs Of life,
must be his guide also in the affairs Of his
political life; for he is enswerable TO God
for his political, as well as his personal
life.
The individual conscience is an enlight-
eminent and a guide; and it is itself illu
mined and directed by the great maxims OF
natural law and the conclusions which the
mind is constantly deducing from those
maxims. Now, is there not set OF maXims
and opinions that fulfill the Office Of guides
% the masses in their political life!
To PRESERVE PURITY OF ELECTIONS.
The means which l propose are:
First-The enactment of strict and
wholesome laws for preventing bribery
and the corruption Of the ballOt-boX, ac-
companied with cOndign punishment
against the viOlators Of the law. Let such
protection and privacy be thrown around
the polling booth that the humblest citizen
may be able TO record his vote without fear
Of pressure or OF interference from those
that might influence him. Such remedy
has already been attempted, with more or
less success, in some States by the intro
ductiOn of new systems of voting.
Second-A pure, enlightened, and indie
pendent judiciary to interpret and enforce
the laws.
Thlrd-A vigilant and fearless press that
will reflect and create a healthy pubic
opinion. Such press, guided by the laws
of justice and the spirit Of American insti-
tutions, is the organ aud the reflection Of
national thought, the outer bulwark Of the
the usurpatiOns of authority and the inius-
tice Of parties, the speedieSt and most di-
rect castigator of vice and dishonesty. II
is aduty of the citizens Of free country
not only TO encourage the press, but TO CO.
operate with 1t; and it is a misfortune for
any land when its leading men neglect TO
instruct their country and act on public
opinion through this powerful instrument
of good
Fourth-The Incorporation into our
school system of familiar lessons embOdy-
Ing history OF our country, a brief sketch
OF her heroes, statesmen, and patriots,
whose civic virtues the rising generation
will thus be taught to emulate. The duties
and rights Of citizens along with reverence
for our political institutions should like
wise be inculcated. as Or. Andrews, Presi-
dent of Brown University, recommends in
a recent article.
Fifth-A more hearty celebration of our
national holidays
The United States has already establish
ed three national holidays. The first is
A ~