Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-10-10
ADVISES FIRST VOTERS
Maj. McKinley's Felicitous Re-
marks to a Delegation of
Young Buckeyes.
TRUE WORTH OF SUFFRAGE.
Priceless Privilege of Being Able to
Vote for Protection and Ma
tional Honor
TRUE WORTH OF SUFFRAGE,

The first visitors to Mai McKinley's
home on September % were members
of big delegation of voters from Wood
county, o. They were headed by At
torney r. S Parker of Bowling Green
who made the speech of presenta ton
In responding Maj. Mckinley said in
part:
Mr.. Parker. Ladies and Gentlemen:
l am very glad to meet at my home this
representative delegation from Wood
county 1 cannot imagine a body of
citizens more representative than that
which l see before nre here today-men
and women. old and young, workingmen
and farmers. men of every profession
and calling in your county; and it indi-
Gates to me that matter what NAV
be asserted in other quarters of the
country there is no such thing known as
classes in Wood county. Great ap-
p pl, ssna and , cries Of That's rightC
recognition of the women who have hon
ored me with their presence today
our progress and civilization. and they
have been most potential in every crisis
of American history. Renewed cheer
ingD l am glad to know that they are
good politics. good government and pub
plause)
1.-The presence of this body of young
men who are to vote for the first time
next November is to me an inspiring
sight, and that you are soon to enjoy
be to all of you an inspiring thought.
For twenty-one years you have been en-
joying our free institutions, the protec-
ton and opportunity of our laws with
out any political power or responsibility.
True Worth of Suffrage.
ct fear sometimes that few of us esti-
mate suffrage at its true worth 1t
clothes with sovereignty. 1t is a
90 i
and is our surest safety. 1t is the con-
stitutional mode of expressing the popu-
lar will. Through it public policies are
determined and public laws enacted
Through it administra tons are changed
and administrations are made. Through
it our whole governmental machinery is
conducted 1t is indeed a priceless inner
itance, and should be valued as such by
every young man.
with the privilege comes grave re-
sponsibilities in its use. 1t should ex-
press the intelligence and Judgment and
conscience of the voter. 1t should never
be employed for any base use. 1t should
be exercised with courage, wisdom and
patriotism. 1t should never, no never
be thrown against the country and
should never represent public dishonor
Great applauseQ recall. young men.
my first vote. With what a thrill of
pride l exercised for the first time the
full preroGative of citizenship I have
not realized greater pride since 1 felt
that I had some part in the government
The period and circumstances when I
cast my first vote may have made n
deeper. impression upon me than it other
wise would, but i recall it now after
tfirty-two years with sensatNtis of low
and satisfaction Applause, In fhe
crisis of war. in the very field of con-
fict, my first vote was cast for Abraham
Lincoln (Great cheering) 1t is to me
Il priceless memory. What n glorious
privilege to have been permitted to vote
for candidate for President whose serv-
ices to his country in the greatest peril
of its life rank with the services of
Washington; the father of his country
(Applause) Priceless memory to me that
1 could vote for the martyr to liberty.
the emancipation of race, and the savior
of the only free government among men
fGreat cheering-)
You. gentlemen. did not have that
privilege but it having been denied you
there will be some satisfaction to you to
vote for the party of Lincoln, which raj
lied the young men of the country