The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-07-30
OF THE CITIZEN.
Vote Only for Men of Good Character.
The State, July 90.

q At,be Church Of the Good Shep-
,.rd on Sunday the Rev. W. P. Wit.
q q uI .sll the rector. preaphed a sermon
1 1 .I ~h;eb has been deemed by many who
Maud it as most timely and appro-
q T. was based on St. Matthew, 22-21,
z"Reuder unto Caesar the things that
40 Caesars" In part the minister
assid:
q Ever since the uttererlce Of these
words by our Lord, they have been
Recognized as the true expression Of
s|tbe moral necessity Of mans doing
sh;s duty to his country, of meeting his
5oblieations and responsibilities as
Hcitisen and patriot. Now.the duties
D. nd responsibilities Of citizen in a de-
s|mocracy differ from and are greater
9tbsu those of the individual in the
|skiugdom or empire. For under the
Republican form of government it is
zthe citizen who controls. It is here
8tbat we find, or should find:
.The freeman casting with unpur-,
Il chased hand t#{
|3The vote that shakes the turrets Of the
q land"
4 The primary duty Of citizen in a
democracy is to vote. His greatest
Responsibility is to see that his ballot
is cast properly, righteously and seri-
busly.
4 1t always makes US somewhat sad
Ind fearful to hear men-good men
Day: II take no interest in politics.
. have not voted in five or ten years.
Such men are not patriots. They are
bot men who love their country with
y genuine, true love-the love that
anpels them to act for her good even
Enough it costs them something to do
Do. When good men cease to take an
s3ctiye interest in the affairs Of the
government Of a republic, they really,
perhaps all unconsciously, but none
3he less really and truly SOW the seeds
8hat inevitably bring forth the wild
Sseeds whose poisonous and poisoning
4xhalations will ultimately sap the vi
s3ality of government by the people.
DO republic can last long when it is
controlled by the worst element of its
citizenship. \ y And 80 long as
Hood and upright and honorable men
!3eglect their primary duty to their
country and leave the government in
d5he hands Of the selfish and corrupt,
3e cannot expect and we will never
pave high and pure administration OF
3igh and pure principles. We, the
people, are responsible for the kind of
l3Overnment we have and the manner
II its administration. If we have un-
8rincipled, incompetent and weak men
'P public Office, we who neglect to cast
aain. gote, to raise our voice against
Zach condition, are as responsible
5pr their being there as are those who
pho actually voted for them. Aney
fe in Office by means and by virtue
4 our absence from the polls; our
EEAck OF interest in the election just az
S2uch and as truly as by the presence
II others at the voting places and their
Give interest in the campaign. No
3oubt we all have known elections to
IL won and lost by few votes. And
s3e know at the same time that some
pen whose votes would have changed
fe results remained away from the
pills not manifesting sufficient inter
Eftl In the cause Of good government
pd the welfare Of the city, the coun-
the State, and the nation to regis
n their convictions, to take. tie ir
Y|Yaud, to do their. duty. Those are
ee men who are responsible for such
lgPcers being in control. They are
isponsible for ALI .unwise and evil
slslation enacted by them; for the;yt
fslect OF duty and non. enforcement
the laws and the winking at and
alent protection Of vice.
All, my friends, it is vain, it is self
q, R,ndemning for men who profess to
}ke no interest in politics, who re-
se to discharge their fundamental
qty as citizens of republic, to COM
ain of bad government, Of open vice
iDSuficienoy aud non. enforcement
the law. They ase responsible for
eh condition and they have them
: Ives alone tosblane.
We send msn Co the State and d a.
Onal legislatures whom we know to
unframed, short-sighted, self-seek-
and corrupt, and they do foolish
unscrupulous things. Should We
sarprised2 DO We expect fgs from,
~