The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1896-10-20
The Duty Of Patriots On and After
Election.

Election.
The proclamation of chairman Ed
ward Lsuterbach that "if they should
succeed by any chance in foistiDg upon
you these horrible doctrines--anarch-
istic, sccisl:st;c and communicate
which that platform adopted by this
Populistic brood contains, we will no,
abide by that decision" renders /,
very desirable that the duties Of pstri-
ots at this juncture should be clearly
understood by oil. x
Mr.Lsuterbach has promptly reced-
cd from his position and in doing 81
has given an excellent definition OF
what patriotic action will be after the
election. He says: II believe that W.
are bound by the terms of the Cons.i-
sutton. and all its principles and pro
yisions. Whatever the result of the
election may be, II is the duty Of ever,
section Of the country and Of every
Slate, however, Calling it may b., to
submit to its fiat. 4 The civil wa,
has determined that secession 10 jus.ifi
able under no circumstances; and thai
implies that each state is bound to
abide by the result OF constitutional
expression of the people" n
Patriotism demands that very thing
Ia prompt, accomplishing, complete
yielding to the will of the sovereign
people when that will has been de-
clared in constitutional manner al
the polls
I. ie fer moro important that ''goy-
eminent of the people, by the people
and for the people shall not perish
from the earth" than that any fiscal
policy, however beneficial, should b.
adopted, or, however injurious, should
be discarded.
But patriotism demands more than
that. 1talso demands loyal willing
ness that the majority shall rule in
constitutional manner before the peo-
pie have expressed their will at the
polls. 1t demands that every lover OF
his country and of free institutions
shall be unfeignedly willing tina
every other voting citizen should vote
as his conscience and judgment di'-
tate.
It demands more than that. 1t de.
mands that, unterrified by either per-
sonal threats or by threats of rebellion
and disturbance. such as MI. Lauter-
bach uttered, every citizen shall vote
his own sentiments. 1t is craven and
-lnnpatriotic to permit bulldozing mi
uority to rule because it threatens to
overturn the Government III it is moi
permitted to do so. If it is suffered to
do so, the government of the people il.
already overturned for by that suff-
erance the minority, instead of the
mcjority rule. If there are people
who are going to rebel if the majority
dare to rule, they should be given al
opportunity to do so.
Patriotism demands more than this.
1t demands that this talk of the horri-
rible things to come al once upon the
success of the opposite party shall
cease. Scare talk makes panics.
However much "gold bug" may be-
ieve that free coinage will bring hard
er timer, he would rather have his
Judgment prove erroneous it free coin
age carries. He doesn't want hard
times. However strongly free coinage
men may be impressed that disaster
will result from.a continuance of the
single gold standard, they would rath-
err be mistaken il Major Mckinley
should win. They have seen enough
disaster, and do not wish to see more.
| Consequently, patriots of both opin-
IONS, who do not wish disaster, have
the plain duty to avert it as far as POI .
sibie by quoting the apprehensions OF
others instead Of seeking to throw
them into panic. 8Thers are enough
people of either opinion in the United
States to make q panic if they ale
scared enough.
. 1t is patriotic to believe that the
/, Republic will survive.--N. Y. journal