Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1896-10-08
ADVISES FIRST VOTERS
Maj. McKinley's Felicitous Re-
marks to a Delegation of
Young Buckeyes.
TRUE WORTH OF SUFFRAGE.
Priceless Privilege of Beng Able to
Vote for Protection and Ma
tiona Honor.

The first visitors to Mai. McKinley's
home on September % were members
OF big delegation of voters from Wood
county, y. They were headed by At
torney X. s Parker of Bowling Green,
who made the speech of presentation.
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. L cannot imagine a body of
citizens more representative than that
which / see before me here today-men
and women. old and young, workingmen
and farmers, men of every profession
and calling in your county; and Il indi-
Gates TO me that no matter what NAV
be asserted in other quarters of the
country there is no such thing known as
classes in Wood county. Great ap-
plause and cries of That's right.J I
am especially glad to make suitable
recognition of the women who have hon.
ored me with their presence today.
(Cheers.) They are a mighty factor in
our progress and civilization, and they
have been most potential in every crisis
of American history. (Renewed cheer
ing) l am glad to know that they are
n,
good politics. good government and pub
lie and private honesty. Great APP
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 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.
81 fear sometimes that few of us esti-
mate suffrage at its true worth. 1t
clothes us with sovereignty. 1t is a
guaranty to our liberties and institutions
and Is our surest safety. IL is the con-
stitutional mode of expressing the popu-
lar will. Through il public policies are
determined and public laws enacted.
Through il administrations are changed
and administrations are made. Through
il 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. Ii should never
be employed for any base use. 1t should
be exercised with courage, wisdom and
patriotism. il should never, no never.
be thrown against the country. and
should never represent public dishonor
Great applause.) | recall, young men,
my first vote. With what n thrill of
pride | exercised for the first time the
full prerogative of citizenship. | have
not realized greater pride since. | felt
that / had some part in the government
The period and circumstances when /
cast my first vote may have made n
deeper impression upon me than IL other
wise would, but | recall it now after
thirty-two years with sensations of low
and satisfaction. (Applause.) In the
crisis of war, in the very field of CON
flict. my first vote was cast for Abraham
Lincoln. Great cheering) 1t is 10 me
n priceless memory. What glorious
privilege to have been permitted to vote
for candidate for President whose serv
ices 70 his country in the greatest periI
of its life rank with the services ~
Washington, the father of his country
(Applause.) Priceless memory TO me that
| could vote for the martyr to liberty.
the emancipation Of n race, and the savior
OF the only free government among men.
Great cheering
You. gentlemen. did not have that
privilege. but Il having been denied you
there will be some satisfaction 10 You 10
vote for the party Of Lincoln. which raj
lied the young men of the country