The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-07-16

legitimate services. But II Is perfectly
well understood that, In nearly every
important election, money Is left
by candidates orcommlttees with trusted
| persons to be used at their discretion in
the purchase OF such merchantable votes
as may he found !. in the precinct. The
bride may not necessarily take the form
ola direct cashspayment. Ii may con-
sist in seductive suggestions OF personal
advantage. or ominous hints OF personal
disadvantage. Employers may covertly
convey the impression to their employees
that their situation or advancement may
be effected bv the way in which they vote
The effect of this perncious practice is to
debauch the political conscience and
vitiate the whole political atmosphere. IL
produces race OF chattel voters, who
keep themselves on sale, inviting the com
petition Of rival candidates and parties
Tor their purchase. Moreover, it makes
money and disposition to use it cor
ruptly prime qualification in candi-
dates forpublic office. To considerable
extent, even now; the leading questions
with primaries and nominating conven-
tions concerning candidate for nominal
ton are: what is the depth OF his
barrel?" and "How deeply is he willing
to draw upon it?" The answer to these
questions is often much more decisive as
to the availability" OF candidate than
any mere question of competency and 1T
ness for Office. Moreover this vice OF
bribery thwarts the will OF honest men.
1t is crime against every honest voter.
One OF the deepest discouragements
which honorable and patriotic citizens
feel in this country, is that their best
efforts for the public veal may be defeated
by ptiful bride, offered and accepted by
men equally devoid Of patriotism and
moral character. There is no vice of our
political life which should be more deeply
stamped with the brand OF infamy. Its
penalty should never be anything less
than prompt disfr anchisement. The man
who will offer or accept bride should
be stripped OF the functions and priv
ieges OF citizenship. (3) Scarcely less
fiagrant, as means OF corrupting the
franchise. is sophistry in argument, de-
liberate false reasoning in the advocacy
OF cause. Under our popular system OF
government the free and full discussion of
public measures and policies before the
people and by the people is necessary to
wise legislation, and safe and capable
OF public affairs. Under
despotic rule, where the laws and their
are subject to the will of
one man, the people have neither oppor-
tunity nor incentive to study public
questions. Silence prevails there the
silence Of torpidity or hopelessness. But
under representative institutions, where
the primary responsibility OF govern
ment rests upon the broad shoulders of
the people, the people are directly inter-
ested in the study and discussion OF all
pubic questions. Republics are neces-
sarily debating schools. At every great |
election the school OF the nation goes
into session for the comprehensive dis |
cussion OF current Issues. And it is a large |
for the heated strife of par
tisan warfare that it has an immense ed |
ucatiOnal value. bt stimulates the stu
dy OF political economy, OF organic prn- |
ciples. the structure and authority Of |
the lessons OF history, the |
trend OF parties, the operation OF princi- |
Piles, the force OF precedents. social, in
dustrial, financial and civil philosophy |
and science, thus developing the intelli-
gence and self-reliant energies OF the peo-
pie. And, every citizen who has valuable
and clear convictions upon
the questions under discussion, is bound
to contribute them to the public store, he |
must add his light to the general illumi-
nation. But he must do it in a strictly
fair and honorable manner. He must
state his facts correctly, draw his conclu-
sions fairly, and argue honestly. The
writer, or speaker, who seeks partisan
success by the mis- statement or false col
oring OF facts, by deliberate false reason
ing, by mere logical jugglery, is as guilty
OF political corruption as he who pays a
price in cash for votes, and deserves as
condign penalty. For myself do
greatly love to listen to an intelligent
OF public questions by an un-
honest man, who is sincerely
endeavoring to enlighten me and con-
vince me that his views OF public policy
are best Tor the country. However great
~ my opinions may differ from his, he
shall have my most respectful and CRATE
ful attention. But when | detect a
speaker or writer playing logical tricks.
Juggling with factsfo the purpose OF con-
fusing my judgment and inveigling me
into the support OF his candidate or meas
ures, instantly withdraw my ear and re-
refuse him further attention. He has in
suited my manhood, and / instinctiyely
resent it by refusing to trust either the
man or his logic. And this is one OF the
most common and palnable vices OF our
political contests. The moral sense of
the people should most loudly implead
against it. Campaign managers and
committees should be required to scruti-
nize the literature which they send forth
and see that it is free from mis- estate
ments and spurious arguments, and to
require their party journals to conduct