Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1880-05-22
How ShallIy Vote?

HOW Suuii NOtcs
Who asks that question? Well that
depends on which of two classes he be.
longs with. 1fto those bun.mefs who
are after spoils, all the way from a glass
of whisky to state Office, we can't tell
how he oughtto vote for that end, ex-
cept that he must he snre TO vote on the
winning side. Fortunately for the
welfare Of the community the nearly
equal strength OF the two great parties
will cause this class to neutral;ze itself
BY being equally divided between them.
These party parasites are alw=ss an
element of weakness and their presence
more injurious than their vote is help
full; especially if after damaging party
with their cooperation during the can
vass, they sell out on the day Of election
and vote the other way.
But there is another class of intclli.
gent, honest and patriotic citizens who
during campaign are quietly settling
this momcntous question, how ought
to vote? They are always aloof from.
and above mere partizanship. To them
politics is the science Of good govern
mcnt. They love their country and
her institutions with unselfish devotion.
caring for a party and its policy only so
far as il will he instrumental in secnr-
ing wise administration and a real
prosperity Of the whole people. These
are the independent voters who are
soon, if not now, TO hold the balance of
political power in this nation. Educa-
ted men who really have consciences
and vote as THEY believe is right All
other voters except these two extreme
classes are under the party whip, voting
the ticket that hears their party name
without questioning either the princi-
pies now advocated or the record made
in the past. aro4
Now il is the glory of the republican
party that it was brought into power,
and has gained every signal victory OF
its career through the support of the
independent voters of the nation. It
has been the strength Of the democratic
party that the great majority of those
who vote with blind devotion for the
party name are found in its ranks. So
that on any issue straight or crooked,
or mongrel, for the nation or against it,
the usual party strength appears, every
voter falling in line at the crack of the
party whip. A "dimmycrat kase We
see dad was
In a republican form of government
We necessarily govern by parties: and
fortunate for the nation if the issue is
one OF principles and not merely OF
persons. Hence every man must act
in ordinary times if efficiently, with one
Of the parties The question then can
be settled only by careful examination
of the record, principles, spirit and men
of each party Vote with the party
whose work has been given to building
up the nation, by enlarging the domain
of human liberty: by maintaining hon
esty in financial obligations: by wisely
fostering a system of pablic improve
ments tending to develop our vast
domain in every part, by exal.ing every
individual to the noble privileges of
national. manhood. citizenship. Above
all else don't vote with party that has
no other aim than to defeatits opponents
and lay hold on power: specially when
every victory il achieves is Signalized BY
a new assault upon The ndfion0i life.
WHO WILL REDEEM MISSOURI.
Republicans frequently ask tie ques-
4,ov s.,vbo &c 70 ,.ocoan, Missouri fror,