The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1896-10-15
ADVISES FIRST VOTERS
MAJ. McKinley's Felicitous Re-
marks to a Delegation of


Tb. first visitors to Mai. NfcEinley's
home, on September - We're members
of Il big delegation of voters from Wood
county, o. They We're headed by At
torney Il. : Parker of Bowling Green,
who made the speech of presentation.
In responding Maj. Mckinley said in
part:
Mr.. Parker. Ladies' and Gentlemcn:
! am very glad to meet at my home this
representative delegation from Wood
county. | cannot imagine Il body of
citizens more representative than that
which l see before me here ~today-men
and women. old and young, workingmcn
and calling i'll your county: and it indi-
Gates to me that no matter what may
be- asserted in other quarters of the
country there is no such thing known as
classes in Wood county. tGrcat APP
plau>c and cries of That's right
am especially glad to make suitable
recognition Of the women who have hon
orcd M. with their presence today.
,thc"rs.t They are a mighty factor III
nur Progress and civilization. and they
haV" been most potential i'll every crisis
of American history. t~ltcncWcl cheer
in%.l I nm glad 10 know that they are
interested in the party OF good morals,
.ttul Politics, Stb'l SoNtl liiItIli liII pun
lie and private honesty. Great APP
,iauSc.l
The presence of this body of young
men who ~" to vote for the first time
next November is to me an inspiring
sight. and that YOU are 50 soon I" ENJOY
the priceless privilcg" of citizenship must
-" to all of You an inspiring thought.
For twcuty-onr years YOU hav" been ON
juyiu" our FREE, institutions. III" pr"t'r-
zion AMI opportunity Of our laws, with
uut any political power or responIibiiity
True Worth of Suffrage.
Il fear sometimes that few of us csii-
mat" suffrage ut lS trU" worth. Ii
clothes us with sovereignty. 1t IL a
guaranty to Our liberties and institutions
and is our surrst safety. Ii is the con
stitutioual mode of expressing thc popu-
I,r win. Through il public policies are
determined and public laws enacted.
Through it administrations are changed
and administrations are made. Through
il our whole governmental machinery Is
conducted. 1t is indeed II priceless inner
,taucr, and should be valued us such 10y
every young man.
with the privilege comes grave r-
sponsibilitics in its use. 1t should eX
prcss the intelligence and Judgment ant
,ous,irucp of the voter. 1t should never
Inc rmploycd for any base use. 1t Shorrft
be exercised with courage, wisdom an,
patriotism. II should never, no never
Ice thrown against che country, AN,
should never represent public !ishonur
,t:rrat applauscD | recall. youn mel,
INV first vote. With what a thrill q
nridc exercised for the first time tn
fun p~rerocativc of citizenship. | hay,
not realized greater pride since. feel
that I had some part in the government
The period and circumstances when
cnS. nay first vote may have made
,lre,nr impression upon me than II other
wise would. but | recall II now attr
tLirtv-tVo Years with sensations of Jo
AMI satisfaction. tNprlauS".) In til
crisis of war, in the very field Of COS
ti.i. my first vote was cast tor Abraham
Iiu,nIn. Great cllcrrir.b 1t is To n,
y priceless mcmory What Il glor:u,
priIilcrc to have been permitted to vol
for a candidate for President W hose Ser,
ices Ia his country III the greatest per
Of its III, rank with the services ,
Woshiu.fou. tlr father of his ,nuntr
N~pulausr.l Priceless memory To- mr Ia.
could vote for The martyr to hh.li.
The emancipation al u race. and tl' ,'i,
: of the uuly free government an"..- li'
,Csrrat cheering.
You. scutlcmrn. did r"i laV, Tia
nrivlrgr. but it having been d'H.'i ~
,hcr, viii I've som" Satisfaction l." YOU
i. vote for the party of | %''t"ln. which r.
lied the young men ot ih" counH