The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1888-02-10

IA paper read by Miss Molle Carruther
at the Farmers Instituted

The chairman OF your committee
when he invited me to assist al this
entertainment, graciously left the SUBJ
ject upon which l should write,
matter of my own choice. l antici
pated the presence Of good many
young men, farmers sons, as we'll AS
farmers themselves, and knowi, & SO
we'll their ga!lantrv and good nature,
though not wishing in any sense TO
impose upon these characteristics, |
thought | should like to take The
liberty of mentioning few things
which they do. or more particularly
things which they do not do. in re-
latiOn to their character IF proSpec-
live rulers of our country.
OF course we are not accustom
ed to regard the boys as responsible
for the veal or woe of our national
government, but it is from their
ranks that America must some day
choose her governors, therefore what
manner OF men they are likely TO be
is of some Importance to the people
whom they are 70 govern. Ii Is NOT
that we begin to look anxiou>ly
toward the rising generation to dis
cover the few nong them who may
some day dazzletheir countrYmenwilh
their brilliAncy Of intellect. but it is
the character Of young men of average
ability upon which they are prompted
to speculate for they represent the
element which really rules our
country, thro Ugh the m.dium of the
silent little Ballot They are the
background so indispensable TO the
historians picture.
In country's history the character
OF each generation is marked by the
acts Of few people and by these
their times are juiged. The judg-
rnent passed, however, is not entirely
the fault or the credit of those who
figure prominently. for leaders are
always what their followers make them
by affording opportunity or making
necessity for what they do. The
office giver shares the responsibility
Sith the Office holder, hence the in
ierest We have reason to feel in this
class which bestows the power of
government 1t is something more
than speculative and the course taken
by young men upon attaining their
majority as interesting for the same
reason as an index to their career.
would not attempt to instruct or
advise any voter in his civil duties,
bat do want to just remind the boys
who have not vet commenced to vote,
that when they are given the right to
take a hand in governmental affairs,
they also assume a responsibility.
Their acknowledgements brings with it
duties which they have no right to
ignore and the sooner thew begin to
prepare themselves for the faithful
performance Of them, the better for
their country.
Much of Americas future lies in
your hands, boys, and what you are,
your country vii! be. You will have
grave questions to decide, both moral
and political know you have every
intention of being loyal and true to
your native land. Indeed you are
quite boiling over with patriotism at
times. For instance, when the white
sails of the defeated Thistle were
retreating across the Atlantic, you
fought the battles of 10 all over
again. Il would not discourage that
feeling, though, for England sends
more formidable things than yachts }
You would resent as personal an in
suit to the stars and st pes and il
need be you would lay down your
lives for the flag, willingly and grace.
fully, but you have got something
more to do. One generation estab.
lished Americas independence, an.
other vindicated her honor with their
lives. but you have task just as hard
10 perform, because it involves less
0f action and more of thought. Men
Of the last generation did their duty
10 their country by marching out
and dying for it, but you can best do
yours by remembering the principles
which they established and by voting
for what will best serve your cOun.
try's interest whether your candidate
is elected or not, and he who Goes
that is Drawer than he that takeih a
Chicago convention.
Now boys, you would no! shirk
these responsibilities. We know
that there has been deal Of careless
voting in the past, but you wonld not
repeat the error and you would have
little excuse for doing so, if you
should, for no people before have had
the facilities for getting information
that you have. And no generation
of Americans have had sterner ques-
lions to face than you will have.
You will need wise heads and steady