The Dickinson press., 1896-10-10
FIRST VOTERS
Maj. MoKinley'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.

The first visitors to Mai. McKinlcy's
home on September 25 were members
of a big delegation of voters from Wood
county, O. They were headed by At.
torney II. S Parker of Bowling Green.
who made the speech of presentation.
In responding Maj. Mckinley said in
part:
MIR. Parker. Ladies and Gcntlcmcn:
l am very glad to meet at my home this
representative delegation from Wood
county. l cannot imagine a body of
citizens more representative than that
which l see before me here today-mcn
and women. old and young, w%orkingmcn
and farmers. men of every profession
and calling in your county; and it indi-
Gates to me that no matter what NAV
be asserted in other quarters of the
country. there is no such thing known as
Glasses in Wood county. Great up
plause and cries Of That's rightly 1
rec r%ecos snfio,'" Of the ss" Women nc % Who ha ss!t hon,
ored me with their presence today.
(Chcers.) They are n mighty factor in
progress and civilization, and they
have been most potential in every crisis
of American history. (Rencwed cheer
ing.) l am glad to know that they are
Interested in the party of good morals,
good politics. good government and pub
lie and private honesty. Great an
~plause.)
'"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 SO soon to enjoy
the priceless privilege of citizenship must
be to all of you an inspiring thought.
For twcnty-one years you have been en-
joying our free institutions, the protcc-
ton ind opportunity of our laws, with
out any political power or responsibility.
True Worth of Suffrage.
II fear sometimes that few of us csti-
mate suffrage at its true worth. 1t
clothes us with sovereignty. 1t is a
guaranty to our liberties and institutions
md 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 administrations are changed
and administrations are made. Through
it our whole governmental machinery is
conducted. 1t is indeed a priceless inhcr-
itancc, and should be valued as such by
every young man.
with the privilege comes grave re-
sponsibilities in its use. 1t should cx-
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,
he thrown against the country, and
should never represent public dishonor.
Great applausc.) | recall, young men,
nv first vote. With what a thrill OF
pride l exercised for the first time the
full ~prerogative of citizenship. l have
not realized greater pride since. I felt
that l had some part in the government.
The period and circumstances when l
cast my first vote may have made a
deeper impression upon me than it other
wise would, but l recall it now after
thirty-two years with sensations of Joy
and satisfaction. (Applausc.) In the
crisis of war. in the very field Of con.
tiict, my first vote was cast for Abraham
Lincoln. Great cheering.) 1t is to me
a priceless memory. What a glorious
privilege to have been permitted to vote
for a candidate for President whose scrv.
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
| could vote for the martyr to liberty.
the emancipation of a race, and the savio,
of the only free government among men
Great cheering.
"You. gentlemen. did not have tha'
privilege, hut it having beer denied so,
there will be some satisfaction to YOU t,
: vote for the party of Lincoln. whict RI
lied the young men of the county: