The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-11-03
4 FINAL WORD.

A FINAL "OkeDs
 The battle of the ballots today closes one of the most strenuous and hard fought political campaigns of recent years. In no Presidential contest that we now remember. at least within the years that have elapsed since the great war, have the two candidates of the great parties displayed so much per- sonal activity covered so much ground or made SO many speeches as In the one now closing. They and their friends have devoted time. energy and means to the work of uph holding their political faiths and principles, and endeavoring to convince the American people of the justice of their several views of what Is right to be done. The one who wins must feel that he had to fight hard and earnestly for success. The one who loses can have the satisfaction of knowing that he deserved success.
 And whatever may be the result of this days baIloting there is bound to be disappointments and surprises. for no human knowledge can be absolute and perfect. There will be sore disap- pointment for one side or the other, for each candidate believes he will win. Each has made his calculations, ad- vised with his friends and supporters and convinced himself that success Is assured. As two men cannot be elected to the high office at the same time. one must awake to the unpleasant knowl- edge that the fates and the ballots were against him, and that however much he may have deserved success, 1t was not for him.
 And there will be surprises, many and grievous. The forecasts made by experts in such matters differ as the East differs from the West in location. As 1t is impossible for these differing predictions all to be sustained, one side or the other will be treated to un- pleasant and unexpected surprises And 1t is not unlikely that surprises will come to both when the returns are footed up. for each has made claims that could not possibly be verified. States which have been set down as absolutely sure for Bryan or Taft will turn up on the other side and great will be the wonderment that such things can happen. In the language of old Macbeth. they will exclaim:
 Can such things be, And overcome us like summers Without our special wonder?
 Whatever may be the result, how. ever this hard-fought battle may end and however great may be the sur prises and the disappointments. there Is stin one d ty left for all DemScrats who read this final word in time. They cannot change the result, but they can perform their own part and do that which duty and patriotism demands of them. They can spare a few minutes from the business of life and help to swell AIabama's vote to the high hg- ure that 1t should reach. It takes but little time or trouble for voters in city to go to the polls and perform one of the highest duties of citizenship and they ought to do so. They owe it to themselves, to their party and to the entire country to prove oy their acts that they deserve to enjoy the rights given them by the constitution and laws of their common country.
 The Advertiser has fought this light earnestly. loyalty. and, as we believe fairly. Whatever the result may be- we can do no more than we have done This last appeal to all whom 1t may reach closes our part of the work. Will the voters of Montgomery do their part today as we have tried to do ours for weeks?