Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-04-24
THE COUNTRYHOME
Won1en on the Farm
Conducted BY Mrs. w. II. FELTON,.


ing we'll when they threw of the British
yoke and won for their descendants the
inestimable blessings OF civil and reltg-
ious liberty. To perpetuate and maintain
these privileges they adopted the ballot
system, where every qualified voter might
express his convictions and demand hon
est government for the whole country In
a fair and proper way at the voting
place.
When we look at our modern elections
and see the motives and mainsprtngs OF
these public expressions at the ballot box,
the patriot must unavoicably suffer from
dread and apprehension in forecasting the
future Of our common country in the
years to come. We seem TO be trihers
where the most serious results are mem
acing our happiness and prosperity. We
appear to be grossly Indifferent when the
fate of ourselves and our own children
hangs in the balance.
The modern voter is in too many cases
not only Indifferent and frivolous, but
criminally neglectful of his duty to the
dependent classes which are allowed no
vote, but whose destiny is at the mercy
OF the unworthy and unstable voter. Our
forefathers understood the value Of a
vote, or rather they properly estimated
0NN--N
to forget at the present time their wise
counsels. A young man born of and
reared by American parents was required
to wait until he was twenty-one years
old before he could assume this obliga-
ton. No foreigner could enjoy the privi-
lege until he became acquainted
with our laws and civil institutions
and then took a solemn oath to be true
and legal 10 the republic. These restric-
tons were absolute. These ancestors
were careful people. They endured hard
ships and toll beyond compare to leave
this nation TO their descendants as the
land of the free and home OF the brave.
A man who sold his vote at that early
age OF the republic would have been dis
graced in the sight OF his neighbors and
ostracised by his brethren in the church.
I can we'll recollect hearing much older
people than myself talk about the Yazoo
sails IN a Georgia legislature. where men,
Sers were given money, land and va
rloUs brides for voting TO sell this pre-
eio1s territory for a few cents an acre.
Up IN Washington city in the house IL
brsry. uEcer abe name OF American state
papors, anybody can go today and get
ire names and full account OF how these
Ten sold their votes. took list my
self years ago. The stain Of dishonor is
there 90 STAY. It was put there 10 stay
as an example to coming generations.
A mars honor in those days counted
for more than lands or money. A vote
was a sacred privilege, a trust. based on
individual integrity.
Our very existence as a nation depends
on preserving this privilege as our ances-
tors desired il should be kept, clean and
honest.
I wish might call back twenty years
OF vigorous life that might. with Gods
help. Try 10 influence the young men Of
today 20 examine into the sacredness Of
ballot in free government by the peo-
PIE and OF the people. AS sure as we
live this obligation should be continually
explained by press ard pulpit. The pre-
servatson OF individual character is large
ly at stake IN this Issue.
The yoLng people VINO watch their eld-
ers IN popular elections are not blind or
Indifferent. They hear the talk about
tricks and trades. They see the violations
OF law around and abort the polls long
before they can cast ballot for them
selves.
II they frd negroes or degraded whites
made drunk on whisky o. paid money. or
bsccn. or shoes. or fou-. or anything else
by candidates and hee.ers 20 control cleo
tsors. or Y they see or hear OF tissue
ballots. Of faiss counts or destroyed votes
they will be influenced cy this sad exam
pie or desplse the persons who are guilty
OF this crime against free government,
no matter how they stand financially in
a community or to whom they are re-
lated.
1t is common talk today in Georgia that
no candidate can succeed unless he is IA
vored by the machine" for II he Is voted
in he will be counted out.
No greater libel may be charged against
our public character IL this statement is
false; no greater shame can be exposed
il Il is true.
do believe the Generalization OF ne
gro labor and much Of rape violence we
owe 20 undue familiarity with corrupt
votes. as performed by the bad men Of
both races: and II Is only fair 10 say that
the men who would corrupt a negro's
character or integrity are no better than
the poor ignorant creatures who make
merchandise Of this privilege when recog-
niZed as free citizens in this country.
do believe. also. II was a sin and mon
umental crime against the privileges OF
republic 10 place ignorance and depravity
where 1t has been thus used by bad men
Of both races.
The old ship OF state has been fearfully
battered in the last 40 years. There is a
providence which watches over the lame
and the lazy or Il would have gone to
pieces on the rocks long ago. When brib-
cry succeeds anywhere there are indica-
tons which point TO final shipwreck. and
the destinies of this people seem to be in
the hands Of wreckers who are Turing us
TO ruin by false lights. Look at your own
child and then answer the question.
Shall he try to cheat and defraud at the
poIls?" Take warningi Look at your own
daughter and ask yourself IL her life and
fortunes. after you are gone. must be at
the mercy Of lawmakers who go into Of
fee bound hand and foot by the influences
which elected them? For your own sake
as an honest citizen, act in this matter
as II God was now calling you to account
for the trust reposed in youl Your vote
Is really cast for all the women, all the
youths. all the dependent classes of your
country. Men OF Georgia. set a good ex-
ample for your own boys!