Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-08-30
Go TO the Polls and Vote.

Ii is trite saying that il is the duty
of an American citizen to vote; yet it is
a fact which needs more and more TO be
impressed upon the people. In Maine
at least, as may be demonstrated by a
glance at the records, the voters are
increasingly neglectful of their duty.
For a concrete example, in the last
state election in Maine, in 1902, the vot-
ing list of the town of Paris contained
some over a thousand names. There
were cast in town in that election 4S3
ballots besides a few defective Ones
Making allowance for voters who were
absent from town or unable by reason of
physical condition to get to the polls,
also admitting that portion of the town
is at considerable distance from the poll
ing place, the fact remains that the num-
Der who voted was only slightly if at all
larger than the number living in South
Paris village, within one mile of the
polling place.
This state of things was not confined
to Paris, but was general condition ex-
cept where unusual issues were involved
or extraordinary efforts were made to
get the voters out.
1t goes without saying that this should
not be. Least of all has any Republican
an excuse for staying away from the
polls this year. In the state campaign
which closes with the election on the
18th of September, we have a ticket
headed by William T. Cobb as candidate
for governor-a man of high character
and ability, worthy the suffrage of every
man. As candidate for congress, Hon.
Charles Z. Littlefield should command
the enthusiastic support of every Repub-
lican. Our county ticket is made up of
men many of them of long and efficient
service, and against no one of whom has
any word been spoken, in public or
private.
But it is not alone for its direct and
immediate effect that every Republican
should be anxious to cast his ballot. A
vote for Cobb is vote for Roosevelt,
and will have its influence in the ma
tional campaign. President Roosevelt,
who has won the hearts of the people as
few presidents have, has been nominated
for another term. The Democratic
party, lost for eight years in the wilder
ness of Organism, has this year made an
attempt, only partially successful, to re-
cover its sanity, but even in its some
what improved estate, in its search for
an issue IT has discovered nothing more
available than the personality of Presi-
dent Roosevelt. The Republican party
gladly welcomes that issue.
On one side in this national campaign
is a party of known policy and long
administrative record, presenting as its
candidate for president that honest,
fearless, tried statesman, Theodore
Roosevelt; on the other, the same old
Democratic party as of yore, presenting
as its candidate Alton b. Parker,
gentleman of eminent responsibility, but
untried in administrative affairs, and
who has by his only published utterances,
failed to give assurance of commanding
ability or independence of the behests Of
party managers.
But this is not political argument,
simply a suggestion to the Republicans
of this state and county Of the duty as
well as the privilege which rests upon
them of casting their ballots in the COM
ing election. Let US have no stay at |
homes, but let every Republican show
the faith that is in him by getting out to |
the polls and casting his ballot on the |
18th of September.