The daily morning journal and courier., 1894-12-03
THE VOTER AND HIS VOTE,
FINELY DIsCOURsE BY REV. DR.
 TWITCHELL YEsTERDAY.

The November Elections Were of No Pos Iitical Party-Evsry Voter Q sovsreign- The Responsibility Resting on Him-Co- operation Of All Good Citizens in Eiovat- ing Suitable Men to once.
 Rev. Dr. Twitchell. pastor of Dwight Place church. preached an instructive and deeply interesting sermon before large congregation yesterday morning entitled. "The Voter and His Vote. or Unrighteous Gain." His text was: 'Thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbor by extortion. or oppression, and has forgotten me. saith the Lord." Ezekiel 2212. His discourse was in part as follows:
 We have just passed through period of discussion and think l may say, Tor the time-a period of decision regarding certain questions of state and national importance!
 As seldom before in our history, po- iitical lines have been lost sight of. and political party prejudices overcome!
 The November elections have been of no political party-no sectional con- federacy!
 No sadder chapter of state politics was ever written than that recently read regarding the commonwealths Of New Jersey and New York: no sadder chapter of city politics than those now being read in reference to New York. Chicago, Boston and smaller cities nearer home.
 It seems to be proven that those who carry on illegitimate, unlawful business, body and soul-destroying business have been able to purchase immunity from patrolmen on the police force, from cap ':ains of the police force. from police commissioners. and even from judges on the bench.
 Recent developments along these lines are perfectly appalling!
 Reports of investigations made and making. even In our own midst, are suf- ficient to bring the blush of shame to all our cheeks, and ought to be sufficient to send forth every man who loves good order.and good morals. consecrated to the work of civic reform! In regard to these two things O, The humiliatio upon us because of political corruption, and @ our responsibility for It's con- tinuance. we must all agree. (0 for in every popular government it rests with the people to say who shall hold office and whether or not the laws shall be faithfully administered!
 Here every voter is a sovereign. This leads me to say that among the most solemn duties attaching to American citizenship is the duty of being heard re- garding civil affairs and of being felt as force when civil affairs are up for decision!
 Every voter. as I have said, a sov- ereign, therefore owes allegiance first to his city, then to his country: every voter an integral part of his country. commonwealth, city. and. therefore, bound by these relations to regard the public good. s,S' a- g.
 speak. no word this morning which can possibly be construed as bearing on party politics, for respect the views and party affiliations of you men, choos- ing me to serve you in the gospel min istry.
 Two or three things however. ven- ture on this whole matter of social and civic life: 1. Every American citizen should ac- quaint himself with national affairs so as to be able intelligently to cast his vote. -...
 If man can read and write he has no business to be ignorant of measures under discussion and up for decision affecting the public veal; and if he cannot read and write he is poorly pre- pared to say what laws shall be en- acted, or who shall administer the laws. For one am convinced that 1t Is far too easy for the foreigner, who is ig- norant of our institutions, and out of sympathy with them, to become vot- er Many an American boy of ten years is better qualified to vote wisely than the mass of foreigners who become nat uralized. .,
 If popular government is to be g. per- manent success here in America, or anywhere in this wide world, it must be shaped and administered by such as are able to apprehend state and na- tional affairs and are in sympathy with the genius of popular government!
 The peril of this and of all other re- publics lies, first, in the ignorance of the masses, and, secondly, in the possi- ble purchase of votes and the corrup- tion of offioe-holdersl
 For popular government to conserve the public welfare the people must be educated, and integrity must be de- manded of governing powers.
 For one believe that we need great CT safeguards around the elective fran chise and severer penalties for mal- feasance in office. Government is doom ed to disaster when 1t can be inaugu- rated by votes that have been purchas- ed, or is carried on by a system of bri- bery!
 Crime winked at grows bold.
 Crime called to account is easily over come!
 2. A second thing, concerning which we all agree. Is that every American citizen in casting his vote should be governed by his honest judgment as to what will best promote the good of all Here comes the division of office seek CTS and ofiice- holders into politicians and statesmen, as we use and under stand these terms.