The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1894-10-25

EVERY man, perhaps, is prone to the
assumption that he is better than his
ueghbor. This is not altogether COM
mendable, nor quite altogether censure-
able. 1t has Its advantages and dlsadvan-
tages In the development of character
and nobody seems to dispute the exis-
tence of these advantages and disadvan-
tages. Americans are subject to ar other
prediction which has also its banes and
its benefits; that is, he is very prone TO
assume that his government is absolute
~ and PROFESSIONALLY superior, at every
point where comparison can be made, to
every other government IN the world.
Few people seem to think this proDeness
Is. under any circumstances, subject to
censure or is other than a symptom of
patriotism. BuJ while the American ex-
pertinent of self government has been
progressing. the moral and intellectual
forces of the world elsewhere have not
been idle. While circumstances hamper
ed, while prejudices clogged, while class
interests ard other so-called vested rights
stood IN the way of progress and prevent
ed others from standing up fully abreast
with the American people IN all respects,
they have from time to time. caught our
ideas and little by little adopted our po-
llt1cal theories and practices, and lave
been able to do so with some improve
ments which our own experience and
sound reason have pointed ont. 1t is
becoming, therefore, our duty, If we
would clearly keep the van of the worlds
procession, to study what is abroad" as
well as what prevails at home. Little
Belgium" furnishes recent instance of
what we mean The electoral privileges
of her citlZenE, which are now well nigh
universal aud which recently have been
bestowed upon them. are coupled with a
duty positively ENJOY Ell. The right to
vote Its treated not II mere privilege to be
exercised or omitted at he caprice, Iazi
ness or indifference of the voter, nor ac-
c)rdlng to the exigencies of business
Voting is compulsory. The right to vote
is founded on and impllI d, but iunda-
mental, contract between each citizen
and the whole body of the people that
this initial step In civil government will
be taken. Ii Is no more admissible that
he may omit this duty than that a con
tractor may, at his option. omit to place
proper foundation under tbs building
lie agrees TO erect Every function of
government rests upon the foundation
stone OF the electoral privilege and ought
TO argue no mischanee as TO whether the
foundation stone shall or shall not be
placed. Why should a voter be excused
from voting any more than a sheriff
should be excused from serving lawful
process placed in his hands for that pur-
pose? Or a register of deeds from record-
ing an instrument of title? Or post
master from asserting and forwarding
mail? Or governor from approving or
refusing 10 approve legislative enact
ments? These relate, IL is true, To midi
yidnal rights. But are the rights of the
public any less important and should
they be more easily waived? If the
whole body or voters express their views
at every election. there will not be that
unsteady movement 10 govern ment which
we now sometimes witness. Changes
will come but they will be the changes of
actual belief and will not result from a
partial expression at one election and a
fui, expression at another. The diguity
of The privilege Will greatly be enhanced
by general understanding that it is a
public dutR Qs we'll as an individual priv
llege. Il viii lead the voter to reflect
more seriousiy;up2n liz duties aud priv
ileges of citizenship; unos The form of
our government; upon the neceSsllles of
administration. II will increase interest
10 public affairs and enlarge political in-
tellIgence.