The Coconino weekly sun., 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 Being Able to Vote for Protection and Na-
 tional Honor.

The first visitors to Mai. McKinlev's home on September 9 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 presentation In responding Maj. Mckinley said in part:
 MT. Parker. Ladies and Gentlemen: am very glad to meet at my home this representative delegation from Wood county. l cannot imagine a body of citlzens more representative than that which l see before me here today-men and women. old and young, workingmen and farmers. men of every profession and calling in your county; and it indi. cates to me that no matter what may be asserted in other quarters of tbe country there is no such thing known os classes in Wood county. Great an. plause and cries of That's right.0 am especially glad to make suit, ble recognition of the women who have hon. ored me with their presence today. (Cbeers) They are mighty factor in our progress and civilization, and they nave been most potential in every crisis of American history. Renewed cheer inSD l am glad to know that they are interested in the party of good morals, good politics. good government and pub. ne and private honesty. (Great ap-
 "The presence of this body of young men who are to vote for the first time next November is to me an inspiring siSht, 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- toying our free institutions, the protec- ton and opportunity of our laws, with out any political power or responsibility.
 True Worth of Suffrage.
 "T fear sometimes that few of us esti. mate suffrage at it's true worth. It clothes us with sovereignty. It is a guaranty to our liberties and institutions and is our surest safety. It is the con stitutional mode of expressing tbe nonn. lar will. Through it public policies are determined and public laws enacted, Through it administrations are changed and administrations are made. Through 1t our whole governmental machinery ia conducted. It is indeed priceless inher- itance, and should be valued as such bv every young man.
 With the privilege comes grave re- responsibilities in its use. It should ey press the intelligence and judgment and conscience of the voter. It should never be employed for any base use. It should be exercised with courage, wisdom and patriotism. It should never, no never be thrown against the country. and should never represent public disbopor Great applause) l recall. young mon my first vote. With what thrill of pride l exercised for the first time tba full prerogative of citizenship. I have not realized greater pride since. I felt that l 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 if other. wise would, but l recall it now ,ftor thirty-two years with sensations of iov and satisfaction. (Applause) Tn ibo crisis of war. in the very field of conI ilict, my first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln. Great cheering.) It is to me n priceless memory. What a glorious privilege to have been permitted to vote for a candidate for President whose serv: ices to his country in the greatest neriI of its life rank with the seryiccs nf Washington. the father of his countrv tApplause.) Priceless memory to me that I could vote for the martyr to Gbertv the emancipator of a race, and the sav.,r of the only free government among men Great 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 ral- lied the young men of the country