The Georgia collegian. (Athens, Ga.) 1870-current, April 13, 1872, Page 3, Image 3

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large laud-owners with numerous tenants, or large manufacturers or companies with numerous employ ees, could overawe their underlings and make them vote as they desir ed ; or, in case of free exercise on the part ol the tenants or employ ees, could inflict great injury upon them by depriving them of employ ment. There is no doubt that this is done, and has been often done, and that the choice of the landlord or master is thus, in open voting, for the most part, the choice of the tenant or employee. But it is not always so ; and in these day? when the laboring class is in the ascend ancy, need never be so. Moreover, it is by no means clear! y shown that the ballot causes this evil. If we may believe the public press, the choice of the master is as potent over that of the employee, under the ballot system, as it ever was un der the open system. But the bal lot, by this means, fosters a sneak ing and underhand mode of action, which is not only opposed to the open and upright action of a free man in the discharge of a sacred right and duty ; but is apt, by habit, to create a fixed disposition, of all oxhers the most fatal to manly inde pendence of voters. It enables the man who promises both candidates to sjab one in the dark and g-o un detected ; it assists bribery, in that it leaves no hope of a man's being marked and denounced for change of opinion, to be attributed to such a cause only. In fact, it enables a person to bribe most effectually, if he have only means enough. The open system certainly is liable to objections of the last kind ; but in this case, the person bribed is pretty sum to be marked and discovered, and the double-dealer always meets with his deserts. It is a question whether we had not better have the open system, with its attendant evils—the strongest of which is the tendency to overawe—than the bal lot, which is not a certain cure for that evil, and which brings in its train so many more potent. Asa general rule the open system has usually led to results which could be more nearly calculated be forehand, and generally to more steadiness in public opinion. This is well exemplified by the State of Virginia, where open voting prevail ed—whose vote, in former days, could usually be predicted with some certainty, not only in the aggregate, but in its districts. Where open voting prevails, the voters are more THE GEORGIA COLLEGIAN. careful to make up their opinions on general and proper grounds ; since they are obliged to be known, men are compelled to give a reason for their faith ; moreover, there is more consistency when every man is lia ble to be criticised with severity when his vote does not correspond with his public professions. In fine, there is a natural suspicion of dark ness and unfairness in all secret pro ceedings, while manliness and fair ness are inseparably connected with openness. The secret ballot of the Athenian republic was a fruitful source of corruption and evil deeds ; it has given us the term ostracism, a synonyme for base and unjust ex ercise of public sentiment. If these views in regard to open voting have force in regard to puo lic elections by large bodies, they have a stronger force in small bo dies, and particularly in small socie ties. The smaller the body of elec tors, the more enlightened and hon est they generally are. And where ever there is culture and education, there we may expect opinion to be best founded, and therefore the ex pression of it to be least restrained. If other than honest, fair and up right motives govern any of the per sons in such cases, I lie sooner known the hotter; and so soon as known, a remedy can and will be found. In such a case as a literary society electing its officers or its representa tives on any occasion, such a thing as a contested or doubtful election could rarely or never occur under the open system. Each member entitled to a vote must be known ; and if he proclaim his choice with hir own mouth with such distinct ness as that all can hear, there can he no mistake, and the count would be known at once. Such a system would compel each member t > make his choice on the best—high est principles, without fear, favor or affection. All double-deal ing would at once be apparent and receive just condemnation. E ect ionee rin g would be reduced to asking a man his opinion and intention, and all attempts at undue influence or un fair advantages would be useless. The candidate would know his friends and could rely on them. If defeated, he would not be compell ed to suspect his friends in bulk, but could put his finger at once on the false one. It would promote good fellowship and open manly aetion. A friend, who could honestly vote for my opponent on proper princi ples, ought to be dearer to me and more deserving of my confidence for his manly independence, than if he gave me his vote on mere personal considerations. Such a tone of sen timent in a society of young men preparing for the business of life would form the best school for brave and manly action in after life. And lastly, the open system would put some restraint on secret organiza tions, since every vote would be known, and it would soon be appa rent whether the members of secret organizations respecied most the prosperity of the Society or the maintenance of their organization. A Brilliant Wedding. At the mansion of Mrs. Howell Cobb in this place on Wednesday evening, the marriage ceremony of the eldest daughter of the late Gen. Howell Cobb, Miss Mary Ann Cobb and Capt. A. S. Erwin were duly consumated. Beckwith of ficiated, and read the Episcopal mar riage setvice with great impressive ness and eloquence. Indeed it was a brilliant wedding with such an ar ray of beauty from all parts of the State, and the beautiful bride ap pearing with all the splendor of love liness. Oil the Friday night following, the bridal party were most elegantly entertained by Maj. I .amar Cobb and his accomplished lady at their new and handsome residence. The no velty of management rendered the whole affair peculiarly attractive, and reflected great credit on the esthetic taste of the host and hostess. May providence be propituous with the worthy couple, and fortune play upon their prosperous helm. Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mfll, who has been on a visit to the lower country for his health, will return to Athens in a Short while, although greatly improved, he will not he able to enter upon his duties in the University before next term. The programmes of our inter mediate examinations have been given—and we, of course relunct antly accept them—as our predis position to lethargy little capacitates us to form an agreeable anticipation of the coming work. f3pMr. Emory Speer, a young lawyer of this place has been elected to deliver the literary address before the two literary Societies of the University of Georgia at Commence ment. jggy The usual number of ex changes have been received. Lightning onthf. Campus.— About seven o’clock on last Tuesday morn ing a vivid flash of lightning follow ed by a terrific peal of thunder, aroused with startled apprehension, many a weary student from their morning slumbers. Fortunately the only victims to Jupiter’s anger were the two old oaks just opposite the prayer room near the middle walk of the Campus. We hope these old patriarchs will in time recover from their mutilated condition. Phi Kappa Debate. The gentleman selected in this debate are Messrs. C. M. Beckwith, J. S. Davis, D. R. Groover, J. M. Mason. C. 11. Niles and B. F. Payne. The “Folio.” The April number of the “Folio ” appears in new type, and presents throughout a more attractive appear ance even than before. The present issue is rich in musical matter, em bracing a continuation of the Serial, short and interesting articles on live topics, bold editorials, and a host of items, and melange for all. Also a choice portrait in lithograph of P. S. Gilmore, the founder of the Jubilee ; and one ofS. C. Campbell, of Opera fame. The number also contains three choice selections of Music.— “ Far from Home,’’ a song; “ Lina Polka-Mazurka,” and “ I will give thanks unto Thee, 0 God,” a sacred Quartette. Every lover of music should read the “ Folio,” universally pronounced the greatest magazine of the kind in America. Only SI.OO a year. Single copies ten cents. — Published by White, Smith & Perry, 29S w 300 Washington Street, Bos ton. ...The Methodists are making strenuous efforts to establish a great University in the South. ...The “ Georgia Collegian ” and its frolicsome companion, “The Cat,” are both on our table. We find much to interest us in the pages of the one and much to smile over in the pages of the other. Long life to both.— Univ. la. Mag. ...Wesleyan University will soon he worth a million dollars.— Ex. RATES OF ADVERTISING —IS THE THE GEORGIA COLLEGIAN. NO. SQlt’Sj l MO. 2 MOS 3 MOS. 6 WOS.|I2 mos. One $ 2.50 $ 4.7; S 7.00 SIO.OO ! sl6 00 Two 1 5.00 8.00 10 50 15.0(i 22 00 Three I 7.50 11.00 14 Ou 21 00 i 30.00 Four jlO 00 15.50 18 00 23 00 "38 00 Half Col.l 11.00 16.50 20.00 30.00 40.00 One Cot.j 18.00 25.01 30.00 38 00 50.00 Doub. “ I 3