Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1896-10-10
FIRST VOTERS
MAJ McKinley's Felioitous 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 % were members
of a big delegation of voters from Wood
county, o. 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:
| am very glad to meet Mt my home this
representative delegation from Wood
county. l canno imagine a body of
citizens more representative than that
which / see before me here today-men
and women, old and young, w%orkingmen
and farmers, men of every profession
and calling in our 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 right.O 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.) j 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 APP
p~lause.)
''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-
rim a.,. f.aN
ton and opportunity of our laws, with
out any political power or responsibility.
True Worth Of Suffrage.
Il fear sometimes that few of us csti-
mate suffrage at it's true worth. 1t
clothes us with sovereignty. 1t is a
guaranty to our liberties and institutions
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 administration 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
he employed Tor 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 %applause.) j recall, young men,
my first vote. With what n thrill of
pride | exercised for the first time the
full prcrogative 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 joy
and satisfaction. (Applause.) In the
crisis of war, in the very field of con
fict, my first vote was cast for Abraham
Lincoln. Great cheering.) Ii is TO mo
a priceless memory. What a glorious
privilege to have been permitted TO vote
for a candidate for President whose scry-
ices to his country in the greatest peril
of it's 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 savior
of the only free government among men.
Great cheering
You, gentlemen, did not have that
privilege. but 1t 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