The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1886-10-30
4R 7afRERAE1rE DUTY.


speech made in Pennsylvania, that lie
would like 10 see law framed for dis
franchising, for ten years, any citizen
who, in The possession Of physical abil-
ity 10 do so, refused to vote during
two successive elections, Without
pausing to inquire into the nature Of
this utterancc VIC arc willing to con
cede that il is very wise remark.
The duty of participating in the
elections Of our State and Republic IS
one Of the greatest obligations Of citi-
zeuship To the State and to the nation.
These who neglect lis performances
fail 10 accept the responsibilities
placed upon them BY the Constitution,
aud are guilty of an act of injustice
toward themselves and toward their
country.
Oar government was made to be adj
ministered by the people, and al the
people, according TO its first and most
important principles, are expected TO
take an active part in its organization
and administration.
There are few men who are willing
TO place property, reputation, and
honor in the hands Of the community
at large vet the right of suffrage
should be held dear as these, and not
be shifted oaralessly over the shoulders
of the common public, because its ex-
crcise may be attended with little
personal care or Inconvenience, There
are other things on whose possession
much moro care and trouble are eX'
pended, though many of these other
things are by no means Of SO vital an
Importance as the possession of the
first prerogaiive Of American citizen
ship.
We arc led to make the foregoing
remarks because there is generally too
much apathy manifested toward our
Congressional elections, and PNrtieu
larly To those which come in the in,
termediate terms, between the Presi'
DENTAL contests, From the lack Of
interest shown at such times they art
generally called the ''of' years in pol
itics,
This condition Of affairs ought no
70 be in existence There should b,
no eff wears in our official contests
much less in elections 81 important a
the return of representatives to on
| National Legislature. The Legislative
branch Of our government is the mos
powerful and effective of the tire,
coordinate branches Of the Executive
the Legislative and the Judicial, Iii
the parliament Of our RcpRblic, In /
originates the most important measure
and laws effectiug our property, on
peace, and our lives, No Presiden
and no Judiciary can frame and max
our laws, but Congress can. There
fore, our Congress is the most import
ant part of the Federal Guvernmen;
and no wears IN which Congressme
are to be elected shouId be cous;jere
! of years in American politics.
Knowing the dnty which lies betOr
us next Tuesday, We should So fort
cheerfully, and with spirit, and do i
We know that 3 majority of the voter
Of the Third District desire to DC tel
/. resealed in the Fiftieh Congress b
Hon. Edward J. Gay, We kn0E In
with Mr.. GAYS election sccOnpltshe,
Louisiana will sead solid ae4egatio
, to thAt Congress, which will hSyc no'
weight than one divided by the repr
ssataiion OF = Republican from Il
wealthiest district in the State outs5t
Of New Orleans
Gar people desire To elect Gay, Al
te defeat n2rrsll and they eAn s
comPlish this object by going to Il
polls and voting for the candidate
their choice.