THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF VOTERS. ON a Republican form of Government, every act and feature of our laws is traceable directly to those who by their votes enacted them, or indirectly to those who by their neglect to vote suffered the passage of a bad or injudicious bill and allowed it to become a statute, and thus wronged thousands, and disgraced the country. We say, boastingly, that the "right of suffrage" is extended to every citizen of the United States, but the term, as applied to the citizens of a Republic, is a contradiction, meaning as it does, permission from the ruling power thus to do-when the very significance of our form of government is proof that it is as much the birthright of every citizen as is the air he breathes. The declaration that "all men are created free and equal," gives no man an inherited supremacy over another, either social or political, and imposes certain duties upon every one, duties that are inseparable from his citizenship. A republican government is a contract or compact between the people for mutual protection, defense and security, and since every citizen derives actual and positive benefit from this protection it is impossible but that he has duties to perform and obligations to meet. It is not practicable, of course, for the people to assemble in masses and give instructions to the Chief Executive personally; hence, conventions are called, at which some one who is known to be honest and faithful to the interests of the commonwealth, and especially of the district he represents, is nominated, and afterwards elected to meet the general assembly of representatives, at which the wants, wishes or demands of the people are made known, and such measures adopted as shall most easily and speedily carry them out. It is at the polls that our republican principles are most clearly shown, and that every man is the peer of his fellows. His vote is the expression of his views, and the strongest manner in which he can declare his approval or disapproval of men or measures. A selfish consideration of party interests, or a reckless strife for power at the cost of principle, or a narrow personal prejudice indulged to the extent of the sacrifice of the interests of the country, is unworthy of men to whom so much has been entrusted. The candid citizen will hold himself aloof from and above all unworthy motives, and, not narrowing his vision to the things of to-day, will act with wise reference to the good of his country, and the safety and prosperity of generations to come. He will study well and carefully the principles of both or all the political parties of the times-study and understand thoroughly the platform of his own party, to be sure it is right, and be able in every possible way to aid it and secure its success, and he will be equally familiar with the platform of the party he opposes, to know if it is wrong, where it is wrong, in what way injurious to the country, and how he can best work to defeat it. No man has a moral right to give his vote to advance a measure that he knows is wrong, or that he does not surely know is right. It is a lamentable fact that men rush to the ballot box and deposit their votes by thousands, when a large majority are so ignorant of the first elements of their duty as scarcely to know to which party the man for whom they have voted belongs, and to know nothing-absolutely nothing, of what his life has been, or whether he has any real claim upon them for support or merit which qualifies him for the office he is being elected to. This can not be justified in a country like our own, and is little, if any, less than guilt. We are far from asking that every man be a professional politician, but that, knowing from his boyhood that he will one day be called upon to take this position, and that he cannot avoid a citizen's responsibilities, however he may neglect a citizen's duties, he prepare himself to discharge them honorably, conscientiously, and in the fear of God, rather than man. In voting, a man can not confine the consequences of his act to himself, but it extends to all who come under the influence of those whom he helps to elect. It is no proof that a man should be placed in office because he asks it, and no proof that he is qualified to discharge its duties. because he assures you, with his hand upon his heart, that he will do so. Be guided by candor in this matter rather than impulse; remember that you hold the motive power and wield it for good or evil. All political statements should be made with a just and careful regard to the influence they will exert, and honor, no less than Christianity, demands courtesy from party to party, as from man to man. Keep your manhood unsullied and your soul unspotted with the low, base, treasonable designs of those who will build up on the ruins of patriotism and principle a fictitious glory for themselves or their cause. It may shine for a season, but it will end in darkness. It may triumph to-day but will be cut down tomorrow, and the disgrace and dishonor will fall upon all who were engaged in its upbuilding. No ranker, baser crime is known. in civil society than treason, and a political traitor, whether impelled to the act by cowardice or love of gain, is a criminal of the most contemptible sort. There is nothing that prepares a man more thoroughly for the active duties of life than a careful study of human nature and a close observation of the relative position of facts as presented by all parties, and the more one reflects and reasons the better he is prepared to act. No people can remain free who are ignorant. Knowledge as surely constitutes power as light constitutes day; a community in ignorance is a community in degradation. A man who allows himself to remain uninformed upon political subjects and matters of interest to voters and citizens, must needs expect to be the dupe and tool of those who are stronger and more designing than themselves. A man may be honest, but if he is far behind the age in which he lives, his very honesty will subject him to imposition, and with his tin sword rusty in its scabbard, he is no match for the man whose sword of Damascus steel is bright and keen from constant use. If it were only for your own interest-if the welfare of none others had been entrusted to you, it would still be best that you cultivate your knowledge, both general and special, upon everything which concerns you as a citizen and a voter. Another point of vital interest is, that you have no right to be careless or indifferent upon these matters. You have no right to sit down and fold your hands while the battle between right and wrong wages around you, and say it matters not who is victorious. You have no right to close your eyes to danger that threatens your country and say you are neutral; for be sure neutrality is either cowardice, treason, or ignorance; and society, both social, religious, and political, has far more to dread from an army of neutrals than from an army who throw their colors to the breeze and declare the ground on which they have taken their stand. Never forget for one moment, whether you be leader or private in the army, that the majority rule, and that if the majority is on the side of wrong, wrong will triumph. Study not only to throw the weight of your vote on the side of right, but throw your influence there, with all the strength and force you can gather. The people have it in their power to rule for good. Woe to that nation where ignorance has covered the land with mourning and her sons have sold their birthright of liberty for a dish of pottage, and see an usurper wear the glory that was their heritage, without a sigh or pang of regret. To the voters of America is entrusted the holiest treasure that man was ever enjoined to guard-the liberty of our country and the protection of our republican principles and institutions. How well it has been preserved in the past, the proud position which she holds in the rank of nations tells more eloquently than written or spoken words. Whether we shall go on from victory to victory, crowned more and still more royally with the luster of great deeds, until she shall be a light to the nations who sit in darkness, depends upon you who hold in your hands the power to make her what you will, and whose votes must decide her destiny. |