Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 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
tionaI Honor.

The first visitors to Mai. McKinley's
home on September 25 were members
of a big delegation of voters from Wood
county, 0. 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:
"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 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
classes in Wood county. (Great ap-
plause and cries of That's rightly I
am especially glad to make suitable
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.) I am glad to know that they are
interested in the party of good morals,
good politics.. good government and pub.
1.-The presence of this body of young
men who are to vote for the first time
next November il to me an inspiring
sight, and that you are 81 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.
II fear sometimes that few of us esti.
mate suffrage at it's true worth. II
clothes Us with sovereignty. 1t il q
guaranty to our liberties and institutions
and is our surest safety. 1t IL 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
1t our whole governmental machinery ID
conducted. It IL indeed q priceless inner.
itance, and should be valued a. such by
every young man.
with the privilege grave re.
probabilities In its use. It should X
press the intelligence and Judgment and
conscience of the voter. It should never
NC ChtaOySU So OOSC 0OCs IL 8uOulO
be exercised with courage, wisdom and
patriotism. 1t 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 a thrill Of
pride l exercised for the first time the
full ~p1arogative of citizenship. I have
not realized greater pride since. I felt
that l had some part In the government,
The period and circumstances when /
cast my first vote may have made 4
deeper impression upon me than 1t other.
wise would, but l recall it now after
t~hirty-two years with sensations Of low
and satisfaction. (Applause.) In the
crisis Of war, In the very field 81 d
fiict, my FIRST vote wal cast for Abraham
Lincoln. (Great cheering). It IL % me
Z priceless memory. What q glorious
privilege to have been permitted to vote
for . candidate for President whose sery-
Ices to his country in the greatest peril
Of its life rank with the services Of
Washington, the father Of his country.
(Appiause.J Priceless memory to me That
could vote for the martyr to liberty.
the emancipation of . race, and the savior
Of the only free government among men.
(Great cheering.
aYou, gentlemen, aid mo- have that
privilege, Int Il having been denied you
there will b some aatisfactiOn to yen t0
vote for the party Of Lincoln, which raj.
He'd the young men o3 the country