The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-07-31
The Ballot Box.

The privilege of VOTING is. the most dearly
purchased, and the most valuable right of a cit ?
izen. Mankind who have it not are dissatisfied
and clamorous to obtain it. This prerogative
when properly exercised is one of the most sub
lime actions which man can perform. By it
man decides the destiny Of his country--of his
race--and of future generations. BY it he gives
his sanction to good government, or rebukes its
vicious administration or should he be so I'M
fortunate as to turn his vote against himself Ell
Their by it's non-use or misuse, he FORCES chain
for his own neck which becomes stronger by
each succeeding delinquency, till he finally be-
comes the servant of his own neglect, or the
slave of a power created by himself
Freemen to whom we speak to-day, shall this
situation be yours Could any untoward cir
cumstances deprive you of your vote, how mis-
cradle would be your situation! equally nsiscra-
BILE would your situation be if ALL refused OF
neglected to vote.
How does it happen that incompetent men
are so often chosen to Office because you neg
lect your appropriate duties-the duties of vo-
TING AT EVERY ELECTION, AND OF VOTING FOR
OR AGlSsT EVERY CANDIDATE. In the same
proportion as you neglect to perform this duty,
in like proportion the offices improperly fill
ed-in the same proportion are your interests
neglected and your rights weakened.
Remember that other great nations have be-
come weak and powerless in proportion as the
people have yielded to the opinion that :'there
are enough without me-" Twas thus that Co.,
sar became master of the Roman people, and
what they now By the same reasoning
more extensively acted upon, have the South
American republics and Mexico become the prey
of military usurpers, where, instead of law and
order, anarchy reigns.
In all times and in all nations where the peo-
pie have refused or neglected to avail themselves
Of their prcrogatve, their interests have been
neglected, their rights nfringed and their liber-
ty turned into bondage.
Our institutions are yet in their infancy, and
if we would perpetuate them to all time, and ex-
tend them to all nations, it requires but the sim
pie act OF placing ticket in the BALLOT BOX.
This simple act decides all political questions
for veal or woe.
How important it is to all mankind that they
should be properly decided. And how this
be we'll done without expression Of opinion
from every one entitled to voice in the decis-
ion And before giving this opinion by the
ticket deposited, how equally important it is
that all extraneous, prcjudicial and selfish issues
should be avoided
A mans vote should be influenced by motives
as pure, and impulses as unselfish, those by
which he chooses his religion; for no religion
will sanction an action which violates that con-
scientious approval, by which all mans deeds
should be confirmed.
We appeal to you, then, fellow citizens of all
parties, to 60 to the polls next Monday, and de-
post there vote which you know your con-
science approves. Whatever be the result Of
your decision on our friends or on our country,
you will have done your duty to yourselves and
to the world.
| Flour. at New Orleans on the 9TH was flat