Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-08-13
Republicans WIN Do Their Duty.

As we write the country is preparing
for the great elections which are to come
off in the fall and there is so much 10 do,
and such q weight of responsibility rest
ing upon Republican voters in the dis
charge of their duty, that we are com.
PEELED to warn them against spirit of
supineness, the indulgence Of which
would be fatal TO the best interests Of the
nation.
A public writer, in a solemn appeal to
citizens to perform their political duties,
says that every honest man who has the
right to vote has no right to withhold his
vote. In the great elections which peri
odically occur, the Issues of which affect
so deeply the national welfare, every Re-
publican understands that he is the repre-
sentative of principles which have saved
the country and raised 1t in the scale of
nations. That those principles shall tri-
umph IN the contest is his daily hope
and TO this end the men of energy and
thought are willing TO toll. They are not
only willing to toll themselves, but, know
ing the value of the ballot, they are
anxious, in an appeal to it, that the re-
spouse of the people shall show the popu-
lar feeling and the popular desire. They
will, thereofre, vote for their own candi.
dates; but their labor will not cease there.
Every Republican has influence with his
neighbors-an influence which springs le-
ultimately from the principles he profess
es-andhe is bound to exert that influence,
to exert every nerve to fix the wavering, TO
rouse the sluggish, to find those who would
conceal themselves, and to gather together
those that are scattered but accessible. Re.
publicans of this class keep alive, in their
localities, the spirit of the party, and are
the honored instruments of much of its
success.
There is, however another class of men
who also are Republicans by conviction
and are willing to accept the results of Re-
publican prosperity, but who, from some
trifling cause, held aloof from the polls OF
stayed at home. Here are men confessing
principles acknowledged to be the noblest
that ever led and governed a nation, act.
ing through selfishness, as if there was no
accountability for the assistance they gave
in the introduction of political confusion,
discord and defeat by positive neglect of
dutyl They considered the elective fran
chise noble right, but its exercise mere
matter of option Soured or dissatisfied,
they desired to punish the party for what
ever they regarded as amiss, and so they
omitted to cast their votel They now
see the work of their hands. The dan
ger of restoring the Democratic party to
power in the nation is duly realized, and
they are not likely to repeat the blunder.
We have reason TO know that thousands
of them regret the past and would do
much to undo it. But with the past now
we have nothing to do save 20 learn the
lessons it has taught, namely: that neglect
of political duty is offering premium to
political misfortune. Politics will not
settle themselves satisfactorily if left to
take their own way. Nor will q Demo-
cratic politician aid the Republican party
when Republicans leave him unopposed
to walk over the course. Republicans
who fail to vote commit breach of duty
against themselves, their country and
their God.
And what is the business of politicsi
1t has been well defined to be-the decid
ing upon the government and destiny of
our country; the settling the question of
war and peace; offreedom ard oppression I;
of religion and irreligion; the fixing
whether our lives and property shall be
secure and our very homes sacred. Are
not these vital questionsI And are they
not involved in every great election such
as those now approachingH So that, in
the long run, great elections concern and
control the most sacred interests Of the
whole country.
1t is therefore every mans duty to vote /;
for every honest man has claim upon
the vote of every other honest man; and
the Republican party has a claim, direct
and imperative, on the votes Of Republi-
cans. Then will our elections be the SOL
emn, majestic act of mighty people; in
the presence of the God of Nations, dis
charging the highest responsibilities of
selfgovernment, the holiest rite of free
dom. Then will the triumph of the Re-
publican party be assured, and the peace
and prosperity of the people lie in the
measures prepared and proposed by the
men who loved the Union, who fought for
it and preserved it.-Republie Magazine.