Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1892-06-30
Letter from Farmer JuniuS.
TO MY FELLOW CITIZENS:-

10 MY FELLOW CITlZENS.-
There is nothing in the Constitu
ton Of the United States which com
pcls Il man to accept in Office to which
he may lave been elected This matter
was whollyoverlooked blythe founders
OF our government, and just think III
what a predicament our country
might be plunged on account OF this
glaring defect. Why, the wheels of
government might be stopped COM
pletely by the refusal OF the citizens
to hold office! An amendment to the
constitution would be in order, i'm
posing heavy fines and imprison-
ment upon any one who refused to
accept an office, NJ matter what the
salary might be. Fortunately for
our country, up to the present time
there has been no lack of patriotic
citizens who were willing and ready
to sacrifice themselves for the pub
lie good, but nobody knows what
might happen in the future. Some
fine day we may find ourselves with
out an organized government, sim
ply because none were willing to
hold office. Suppose all the officers
from president down should 90 on a
strike for higher Or lower wages, as
the case might be, and none could be
forced to take their places! (Our al
lance friends, it is claimed, struck for
lower wages before election. but for
got all about it afterwards). Well,
to lose our government would be a
great National calamity, and it is
the duty OF the statesmen of the pc
Rod to provide against such a con-
tingency. 1t is well for our country
that no danger has yet threatened
it from that source. There are on
the other hand always plethora OF
public spirited citizens who will &C.
cept Offices, and hold on to them,
too, as long as possible. The people
do not need to run around much to
find Il public servant in this Office
seeking age, for the otfice-seeker gen
orally does the ''running" Farm
or Jnn'ns has always thought that a
public o'i.e is y, "p!'.'ic trust" but
many regard it only rs y ''priyn;-
snap However, let us proceed To
our text taken from the gospel ac-
cording to Donnelly.
After stating that the people are
demoralized Donnelly says in his
gospel: MANY OF the states have
been compelled to isolate the voters
ut the polling I,laces in order to pre-
vent universal intimidation and bri-
berry, This refers to the Austral-
ian election law which has been
adopted by many states and which
throws additional safeguards
around the ballot box. We are to
believe then that that law is a sign
OF the corrupt and demoralized con
dition OF the people. OF course, if
all people were angels, many laws
would be snperauous, but is not
every good law put on our statute
books, rather an Indication of grow
ing morality, intelligence and Justice
among the citizens? Did the Declara-
ton OF independence Indicate that the
spirit OF liberty was asleep in the
colonies? No, England soon discov
cred that that spirit was uncon,forta-
bly, wide awake. Likewise, laws that
are passed with Il view Of preserving
the sacredness and purity OF cleo
lions, for the protection OF life and
property, for education and for any
good and noble purpose, are indica-
tive OF IL good, healthy. moral SEN
timent among the people. A demon
allzed nation will not have vitality |
enough to secure wholesome laws.
When the English people wrested the
Magma Charta from King John,
they took Il giant step towards civil
liberty. 1t did not mean that they
were q weak demoralizpll race.
The new election law was needed to |
keep alliance politicians straight
fully as much us politicians OF other
parties. Ii Farmer Junius mistake
not the alliance politicians did as
much button holing OF voters at the
polls in the last election as those of
the other parties.
When it comes to an election every
voter is a king, the poor mans vote
counts as much as the rich mans
vote, and with free ballot and q
fair count our country's future is
hopeful. To be continued in our next.
FARMER JUNlUs.