Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1902-06-27
FRIDAY, JUNE %. 1902.
A Review of the Political
Situation in the State.

a Review of the Political
Situation in the State.
Now that the storm is over it is well
to review it and its results. In its re-
view many may find food for minds
diseased if they seek Alright for it. Many
will find that they have been travelling
two roads aud have got nowhere on
either of them. Many have doubtless
followed old political lines because hay
ing been long established they considered
them enduring, aud many out in the
cold have joined iconoclastic movements
hoping to get foothold amid the ruins
of the old order of things. Men aud
organizations who regarded themselves
invincible have been swept from basic
principles by personal considerations
Inconsistencies, wanderings induced 10y
individual impulses, anger ambitions
and not emitting mercenary consldera-
tons, have largely made up the contents
of the political cauldron around which
political witchcraft has danced.
For all motives, intentions and pur-
poses each voter must settle with his
own conscience. For the tendency OF
certain lines and sentiments men are
responsible, and according to the meas
ure of their solicitude for the public
good they will suffer the consequences OF
being driven from true lines 10y self
interest, passion, prejudice and personal
inclinations.
The great cause which was and is sc
dear to the hearts of so many good men
has met with a reverse that some think
is complete rout, even final defeat
That its adherents are largely response
bic for the present condition cannot be
questioned. 1t was strong and able t'
meet and overcome any opposition while
it kept above personal and politlca
schemes 1t commanded the approval
of the majority of good, sound, sensible
men. Even men whose passions carried
them away voted favorably to it and die
all in its favor that irresistible passion
permitted. Organizations stood firm am
uncompromising in its behalf. But a
length they grew harsh, arbitrary am
uncharitable, adopted means which wer
infused into legislation which were q
doubtful justice or constitutionaliiy
The law invited men to speculatio
which led to undoubted frauds. 1t wa
loaded with provisions so numerous an
of such doubtful construction that me
violated it with impunity and made mel
chandise of it. Yet it withstood Il
those adverse conditions and was main
tanned so strongly that its adherents bt
came conceited and if any differed fror
them it was charged to the inferiority c
their moral sentiments. At length man
began to think that the law should b
simplified and based on conceded prime
pies of right and justice and Legislation
but this was always strenuously oppose
and new and more coercive means wei
sought to be added to the law until me
began to see that at least results wei
not satisfactory, so far even had it gon
that in some instances when the execl
ton of the law was put entirely into til
hands of its most ardent supporters the
gave up in despair, aided i'll abolishin
the agencies-the most essential prov
sion of the law.
For years conditions developed an
combined in fast accumulation until I'll
suspicion arose that majority of I'll
people were not in favor of the lay
Under that suspicion the people wi
never rest content. Reference to I'll
people was asked for. 1t would seem
have been good policy for confden
generous adherents of the cause to ha'
said: every well, we are sure majori
are with us; let the people be heard
But the reference was denied, and Il
people went on many bitterly suspicio
that minority was ruling the MAORI
while many friends of the law symr
thized with them in their being deni
the right to test the will of the Peep
This was striking at the most sensiti
point. 1t cost so much to demonstra
the fact that we live in government
the people, that denial of an oppC
tunity to ascertain what the will of t
people is stirs men as nothing else wi
This gave the opposition foothold
basic principle that all republican &C
ernments hold to. But even all IL
alone probably would not have chang
the old order Of things. The campai
opened, waxed warm, personal consid,
ations rose high and to add to it eve
political adventurer in the state, be
great and small, seemed to see his {
portunity in the situation. The tie
perance cause seemed to become a pol
ical plaything. Its adherents were C
ried off their feet by personal conside
tions and in the excitement were SO