The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-04-10
a sOvEREIGNs EPRIvIIEGE.

During the past ten months represent
alive men from all sections Of the State
have been discussing the question of sur
written about the great privilege of vot-
ing. From these discussions and from
the great Interest that has been manifest
ed in them, and in the question of suf-
frage generally, It would appear that the
voting privilege is highly esteemed by the
men Of Virginia.
But If we are to judge by their actions
the conclusion is inevitable that many
men In Richmond do not value this priv
nege for more often than otherwise they
do not take the trouble, light as the tron-
bile u.s. to go to the polls and vote on
election day.
We cannot understand how any free
born American citizen can put so small
an estimate upon the voting privilege
1t is a. great honor to be voter in this
government At the polls one voter mas
as much voice as another. ct the polls
all duly qualified voters stand equal be-
fore the law. The vote of the rich man
is equal to that Of the poor man, ana the
vote Of the poor man is equal to that
OF the rich man. At the polls the hum
blest voter in the land stands head ana
shoulders with the greatest citizen Each
and every such voter is a sovereign, ana
1t should be the pride OF each and every
sovereign to go up to the ballot-box and
w, ,1& hoy
any American citizen can cast a ballot
without feeling his blood tngle with
pride. It is a distinguished privilege to
vote.
But voting IS something more than 2
mere privilege; it is a sacred duty. When
a citizen casts an honest ballot to repre-
sent his choice of measures or men, he
does all that he can do in the interest CT
GOOD government and Of honest officers
If the measure for which he votes does
not prevail, if the candidate for whom he
votes is not elected, that is not his af-
fair; it is enough for him to vote hon
estly and conscientiously. That done. he
can well afford to let the results take care
Of themselves. But 1t Is clearly and in
disputably the duty of every qualified
voter to do this much-to cast one true
and manly ballot on election day.
We are to have an important primary
election to-day in this city. 1t is a Dem
ocratic primary, and it is not the custom
Of Democratic papers in this city to take
sides in these family contests. Hence
The Times has expressed no choice Of
candidates. We have not urged the cleo
ton Of this candidate or that. We shall
not now undertake to advise any Demo-
crat In Richmond how he shall vote in to-
days primary. But we do advise and
urge with all our might that each and
every Democrat go to the polls and cast
his ballot for those candidates who in
his honest opinion will best subserve the
interest of the community.
It is something moro than a matter Of
personal favoritism. Friendship is dear,
and every true man loves to stand by his
friend in contest. But there is higher
call upon voters to-day. Richmond calls
upon her sons to put aside the question
of friendship and personal favoritism and
vote for those men who will make the
best officers Of government and best pro-
moters Of the material and moral well
fare Of this people. Richmond calls upon
every Democrat to-day to do his duty
ms a good and loyal citizen.