Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1906-03-29

People who enjoy the blessings OF a
Republican form or government in
which every citizen has right to par
ticipate. and the vote of the humblest
counTs az much as that of the mightiest,
ought constantly to be impressed with
the responsibilities that rest upon each
and all
In exercising the franchise we should
not be controlled by petty or unworthy
motives, but should think only of the
good of the community. the State and
the Nation. Experience proves that the
conference necessary TO concerted action
can only be maintained through party
organization and party fealty, hence
ii happens that the party caucus Is OF
immense importance. A coed citizen
and good party man ought to have
the greatest concern that his party
nominates only such men as will com
mand and deserve the support of good
men at the general election. The good
of the party as well as the state de-
mands this.
Every voter should not only take the
trouble to inform himself thoroughly
about the character and fitness OF can
didates before deciding whom to sup
port, but should base his decision solely
upon the public good. He should ask
himself the question, which OF these
aspirants would choose if were act
ing as sole agent for the people and had
the power to appoint?
After voter mas made up his mind
what his duty In he should endeavor to
impress his neighbors with his view and
exert his best endeavors to the end that
the public service should have the use
of the best and worthiest men available.
Every man should be politician TO that
extent, and no personal or selfish
motives, or timidity about getting i'll
will of other candidates or their friends
should have the slightest influence upon
him When a candidate, upon learning
that You have decided to support one OF
his opponents, says: well, il You can
not be for me, don't do anything for
the other fellow he is asking you to
waive your right of citizenship, to sup
press your convictions, violate your own
manhood and prove traitor to what
you regard az the best interests Of the
people at large.
AS a rule we regard the sacred right
of suffrage too slightly. We do not
sufficiently appreciate the responsible
ifjes resting upon us. We permit our
selves to be governed by extraneous and
altogether irrelevant matters. and think
that, when our passions and prejudic7s
have been aroused our judgments have
been enlightened. when the truth IL,
we have merely been rendered imcom-
petent to exercise our reasoning facul-
ties.
: Zeal for the public good, says
Steele. lis the characteristic of man
of honor and q gentleman, and must
take the place of pleasures. profits. and
all other private qualifications. But
too many men look upon the public as
their debtors and their prey. and, en-
trenched in power, drive men like sheep
to do that which is for their own ag-
grandizement. under the pretense that
they are leading them along the straight
paths OF patriotism and civic virtue.
The tendency to prostitute the right
of suffrage to base uses is the greatest
danger that besets this Republic. Pre-
judices, which govern the ignorant, and
the corrupt use of money by which the
vicious and unscrupulous are controlled,
are alike perilous to our institutions and
subversive OF good government.
The men who attempt to influence
voters through their prejudices, or by
the use of money, and those who are
thus influenced, are alike culpable.
Politics needs TO be placed upon a
higher plain. And the only way to do
1t In to educate the people to loftier
ideals. For this purpose the press, the
pulpit, schools and colleges should con-
stantly raIIate light ON this subject;
and every parent should endeavor to
impress 1t upon his children. and every
good citizen upon his environment -
Spirit.