The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1888-11-22
POLITICAL.
sEEHIV e J!
1888.

teen hundred and lightweight will
go into history as one of the hardest
fought in our nation. Almost all
political methods imaginable are
brought to bear upon the voters In
order to induce them to vote solidly
for the nominees of their respective
parties. By some peop!e-party
leaders especially-it is considered
to be an almost objectionable and
unpatriotic act to cast ones ballot
different to what their ancestral train
ing has been or their former polit-
ical ties, no matter how sincere they
are nor what patriotic motives
prompt them. But nevertheless it
is fact undeniable that men who
act independent of political parties
and are governed by a desire only
for our country's good, are the con-
SENATORS of our nations welfare.
In our State and Nation we have
three leading political parties that
are asking our suffrages. Demo-
cratic, Republican and Prohibition.
Each has its platform of principles,
and each is entitled to the honest
consideration of all voters. The
Democratic party is fighting along
the line of tariff reduction, and
claims that a higher tariff than it
takes 10 meet the expenses of the
government equinomically admins
tered is dangerous and unjust. The
Republican party claims to be for a
revision, and reduction of the tariff
keeping in view the protection of
American manufacturers. The
Prohibition party claims that the
tariff should be so reduced that no
surplus shall be accumulated in the
treasury, and the burdens of taxa
ton should be removed from food
clothing and other comforts, and
necessaries of life, and imposed on
such articles as will give protection
both to the manufacturing employ
er and producing laborer against the
competition of the world, but they
declare that the paramount issue in
politics-which causes the annual
waste of seven hundred million dol
IRIS, ehree-fourths of all the crime
and pauperism, and consequently
very large per cent of the burdens of
taxation is the liquor traffic, hence
they declare for the prohibition of
the manufacture, importation, ex-
portation, transportation and sale of
alcoholic beverages. It is for one
of these three parties that we as
voters of our Country and State
must cast our ballots. 1t takes So
bel reflections to be able to cast an
intelligent ballot. This we cannot
do if we are in any way influenced
by appeals to passions, prejudice or
fear. The ballot is a sacred gift.
1t is intended to be the expression
of mans principle, and when cast
other than according to reason, I'M
biased and unprejudsced is fslse
ballot. Every man is sacredly re-
sponsible for his ballot, and the man
who violates his conscience and honor
for the sake of saving any political
party is no better than the man who
sells his vote, and both should be
disfranchised in order to conduce to
our nations honor.
Back behind a party and its can
didates is its principles and it is for
these that our votes are cast and
must be counted, and it does not
modify our responsibility because
we cast it in the interest of any po-
litical party, no matter how we love
it, nor how hard we have helped to
fight its battles, unless its platform
and actions conform to our idea of
what would be best for the greatest
number of people, and our nations
welfare. If there is an act in any
mans life where conscience should
be heard it is in casting his ballot.
1t is burning shame that men are
TO be found who will stifie their con-
science, and be led by political dem
;,gogues to cast their ballots for the
S,l<e of a party contrary to what
their reason tells them is right, and
now we have this to say, and espe-
ci.,lly to the young man casting his
first ballot, no matter what has been
tie political creed of your ancestors.
Remember "that state and nation
Is made by the freemen who COM
pose it, and whatever strikes at the
manhood of a nation strikes at its
ii;...' Also remember that vote
for principle is never thrown away
Though you may not elect single
nam you vote for. A ballot other
than for principle is thrown away
though you elect all your candidates
!ior a century. Out upon such eth
i,.s as is advanced by some political
el..magogues that vote is thrown
aw9y unless it goes for candidate
that is elected, such doctrine is dan
geraus to our country's good, and
beneath the notice of any patriot.
So by a slight change of the words
Of a distinguished N. G. Senator,
our advice is, "Say your prayers,
mind your wives, and mothers" buy
vonr goods at the BEE HIVE
{ ASH STORE, and vote according
TO the dictates of conscience and true
patriotism, and you will never have
-.use to fear the result, no matter
those party is hurt.
Yours anxious to please,