The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1892-04-09

! the people, since Jhev are appOlnJau 10
fulfill the peoples wishes; and the peo-
pie are called the sovereign people, be-
cause it is by their sovereign voice that
their rulers are elected
POWER OF THE BALLOT.
The method by which the supreme will
OF the people il registered is the ballot
box. This is the oracle that proclaims
their choice. This is the balance in
which the merits of the candidates are
weighed. The heavier scale determines
at once the decision of the majority end
the selection OF the candidate.
And what spectacle is more sublime
than the sight of ten millions Of citizens
determining, not by the bullet, but by
the ballot, the ruler that is to preside
over the nations deatinies for four years
"a weapon that comes down as still
AS suowfakes iall upon the SOD.
But executes freeman's will,
As tightening does the will of God;
And from its force nor doors nor locks
Can shield you. tits the ballot box
DEBAUCHERY OF THE BALLOT COX.
Our Christian civilization gives us no
immunity from political corruption and
disaster. The oft-repeated cry of cleo
tion f auds should not be treated with
indifference, though, in many instances,
no doubt, it is the empty charge OF de-
feabed partisans: again successful rivals,
or the heated language Of 8 party press.
TO PRESERVE PURITY OF ELECrlONs.
The means which I propose are:
First, The enactment of strict and
wholesome laws for preventing bribery
and the corruption Of the ballot: box, &C.
companied with condign punishment
against the violators of the law. Let
such protection and privacy be thrown
around the polling booth that the hum
blest citizen may be able to record his
vote without fear Of pressure or of inter-
ference from those that might influence
him. Such remedy has already been
attempted, with more or less success, in
some States by the introduction Of new
systems of voting.
Second, A pure, enlightened, and in
dependent judiciary to interpret and en-
force the laws.
Third, A vigilant and fearless press
that will reflect and create a healthy
public opinion. Such press, guided by
the laws of justice and the spirit of
American institutions, is the organ and
the reflection OF national thought, the
outer bulwark of the rights and liberties
of the citizen against the usurpations OF
authority and the injustice OF parties,
the speediest and most direct castigator
of vice and dishonesty. 1t is duty of
the citizens of free country not only to
encourage the press, but to cooperate
with it, and it is a misfortune for any
land when it's leading men neglect to in
struct their country and act on public
opinion through this powerful instrument
for good.
Fourth, The incorporation into our
school systems of familiar lessons en-
bodying history of our country, a brief
sketch of her heroes, statesmen, and
patriots, whose civic virtues the rising
generation will thus be taught to emu
late. The duties and rights of citizens
along with reverence for our political in.
stitutions should likewise be inculcated,
as DR.. Andrews, President of Brown
University, recommends in recent ar
ticle.
Fifth, A more hearty celebration of
our national holidays.
The United States has already estab-
lished three national holidays. The first
is consecrated to the birth of the Father
of his Country; the second, to the birth
Of the nation; and the third is observed
as day Of Thanksgiving to God for His
manifold blessings to the nation. On
those days, when the usual occupations
Of life are suspended, every citizen has
leisure to study and admire the political
institutions of his country, and to thank
God for the benedlctions that He has
poured out on us as people.
90 - The annually recurring
holidays will create and develop in their
minds knowledge Of our history and
Continued on Eighth Page.)
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