The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-05-07
w. CT. U. U.COLUMN
CONDUCTED BY MRS. NJ. L. HOBBS.
How TO Lose q Vote.

Ii is notable fact that many
good and true men hesitate to vote
the Prohibition ticket because they
have entertained the notion that in
doing so their vote would be lost.
1t is fair therefore to inquire into
the value of ballot cast for the
Prohibition party, and to measure
its worth with ballot cast for some
other party.
No difference for what party a
ballot is cast, the vote does more
than to help elect or defeat a candi-
date. An influence follows the ex-
|ercise Of suffrage. and that infu-
ence is in the line of endorsing the
party on whose ticket the candidate
voted for runs. Therefore the de-
|clared principles Of parties are OF
great importance. If party fails,
neglects or refuses to express it.
self on any subject that you deem
of vital impor. to the State or ma
|tion, then a vote for any candidate
that runs on such a ticket is dec
laration by you that this failure,
neglect or refusal meets your APP
probation, and the party may be ex-
pected to give you the same plat
form, or a worse one, at the next
|electiOn.
On the other hand, if a policy
ursued by party does not meet
the requirements Of a voters con-
science, the voter becomes party
20 the policy when he fails, neglects
or refuses to register his convictions
against such a policy. The man
lwho decries license of the liquor
traffic as wrong and hurtful to the
nation, and sustains the party that
sustains the system, does not dis
charge his duty, nor does he rise to
the full power of his vote. A vote
cannot be measured by its success
in defeating an opponent, when to
do this an iniquitous system Is en-
dorsed and party upheld that must
appeal to the voters prejudice, Gu
pidity, and to the good qualities OF
the men running, instead Of making
the appeal on the line Of patriotism
and the declared policy Of Kidding
the State and nation of the blight
ing curse of this century.
Would you not rather cast your
lot with party that advocates what
you want, and register your pro-
test against license system, than
to lose the power and influence of a
ballot that is thrown away in the
hope for temporary victory? In
one case il is immortal, re ,ching
down the centuries with life and in
spiration; in the other il is Just as
Immortal, reaching down the cen
lturies with forlorn despair, and with
increasing failure and loss.
If the American voter realized
the imme nse value cf the ballot in
shaping public opinion, and in
moulding and crystallizing senti-
ment, he would not throw away a
vote on any man, however praise
worthy, who does not represent his
views on the supreme moral and
economic question Of his day. The
growing sentiment in favor of the
abolition OF the liquor traffic lays a
grave and increasing responsibility
at every mans door.
1t will be remembered, too, that
the Prohibition party is safe on 9TH
er minor issues, and that it invites
free discussion on every phase OF
economics cs,-reserving only funda-
mental basis Of united agreement in
the utter overthrow of the infamous
traffic in intoxicating liquors, and
lthe eradication of this cancer that
threatens the destruction of the
government and the impoverish-
ment Of the nation.
Can you not lend your vote to
such party, and help to ward of
the impending conflict which may
BY neglect try the very foundations
of national existence?
Do not, we beseech you, lose
your vote by casting it for license if
YOU want prohibition.-Ex.