Evening journal., 1898-10-21
DuTY OF CTTIzENsHIP.

A man who does not register cannot
be voter. and a man who is not a
voter is not a good citizen. We do not
believe that an men who fail to regis
ter and vote intend to be poor citizens,
but they are, for they neglect to exer-
else 1.-THE very first duties of true citi-
zenshlp Active participation OF the
masses in state and municipal elections
begets wholesome government. When
the voters become lax in the perform
ance of their duty corruption stalks in
and the people suffer. 1t is upon Demo-
cratic voters who fail to register this
Saturday that Addicksism places its
reliance at this juncture. To all
Democrats who are remiss in the mat
ter of registering we recommend a
careful perusal Of the following from
the Dover Index:
To all those who are yet unregister-
ed. next Saturday will be identical with
election day.
October the twenty-second is the last
day OF registration. After that day, It
is without the range Of possibility that
any man can become a qualified cleo
tor, except where, in the case Of con-
test, an appeal is taken to the associate
Judge
Every man, therefore, who suffers
Saturday to pass without having his
name marked as a qualified voter, has
placed himself in the exact position Of
Al 49, f.Iaa ffaf,
has literally given half a vote to the
political party to which he is really op-
posed. 1t matters not what may occur
between that Saturday and the day OF
election; Il matters not if the greatest
corruption, falsty and rottenness
should transpire; he is absolutely
without power to put in his emphatic
protest; he must, perforce, contribute
20 that party of his abomination his
one-half vote.
After next Saturday the unregistered
man cannot go back. His opportunity
has come and is then irretrievably
past He is not simply a nonentity in
the political world. He may natter
himself that he has remained neutral,
and that therefore is not responsible
either way. This Is a gross mistake.
There cannot be neutrality in politics
any more than in religion and morals.
Every sane man must have some
grains Of conviction on one side or the
otbof-r- Certainly one side or the other
must be wrong. There may be errors
on both sides, it is true, but there
must be a preponderance Of error one
way or another. No man can say to
himself, l am dissatisfied with both
parties, therefore I will keep hands Off
Remember the man who does not vote
counts for one-half OF vote to the op-
posite party from that for which he
would have voted had he taken any
part.
Think well therefore on this-the
man who is a Democrat at heart, but
who, through any cause, has become
dissatisfied or apathetic. and makes uT
his mind to refrain from registering
is really putting in a half vote to the
Republicans. He has not remained
passive and let things take theil
course; he has really taken an active
part against his own party and in ia.
vor of his opponents.
After next Saturday,the unregistered
man is an American minus the highes
right OF Americanism. So far as he il
concerned, he might as we'll be al
alien born, domiciled temporarily with
In the borders Of our country. So ia,
as relates to the right of suffrage. h,
might as well be a convicted felon.
For him, our government is no Ion
ger government Of the people by tn.
people, and for the people He Nigh
as well be dwelling in a monarch,
where he has absolutely no voice o
political rights.
He has voluntarily relinQuished tn
right which makes this country differ
ent from all others.