The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1908-10-07
A WORD TO FIRST VOTERS.

You, young man, who are about to
cast your first ballot, are facing grave
responsibility.
Hitherto you have passively enjoyed
the benefits of this Republic. Now you
are to become an active factor in the
government of the nation, assuming the
full burden of the duties of citizenship.
Though the privilege to vote comes to
you without effort, do not forget that to
obtain it other men left their homes in
foreign lands, severing many ties and
started life anew.
What will you do with your ballot?
1t is ne light matter for you to de-
eide how you shall cast your first vote,
nor should you let yourself be swayed
by whim or prejudice. The whole sub
ject lies before you for calm consider
alton, and it is your duty to give it this
consideration.
With your first vote you ally yourself
with political party. You have the
opportunity to enroll yourself with the
Republicans, who have made this ma
ton what it is today; who have kept the
faith bequeathed to them by the faith
ers, and established q firm standard
of sound craftsmanship, administer
ing the government through men of
proved experience and integrity.
If you make that choice you associate
yourself at once with men of achieve
ment, leaders of the nation, and with n
party of honorable tradition and civil
lization, and can with proper pride feel
that you have helped toward progress.
But if any whim impels you to cast
your lot with the opponents of those
who have accomplished so much, re-
fleet well before you follow the impulse,
for the so-called Democratic party of to-
day has drifted completely away from
its former ideals, veering like weather.
cock under the influence of untried and
visionary leaders who champion policies
of political expediency.
Remember that if you assist in plung-
ing the nation into want, discomfort,
and disorder, destroying both domestic
and disgrace will rest upon you.
For this year you have vote in the
election of President of the United
States.
The Democrats put forward as their
candidate q politician who has changed
his belief repeatedly, who is unstable,
and untried, and is distrusted even by
members of the party under whose name
he conducted his canvass, many OF whom
make no secret of their intention to vote
against him; whose very nomination
created widespread alarm among busi-
ness men.
The Republicans offer as their candi-
date for the Presidency fearless, dis
interested and upright man, trained in
the severe school of duty, whose career
of accomplishment assures his fitness,
whose record is one of unceasing indus
try in exacting tasks, and contains no
hint of failure; whose personality has
won the esteem and approval of the
American people.
His reputation for absolute spotless.
ness in both public or private life is as
well known abroad as it is at home. By
temperament, capacity and experience
he is qualified for the administration OF
great affairs of state. He has shown a
single-minded devotion to the service oi
his country, with broad and humane
sympathy to which sound appeal is
never unavailing.
This man is William Howard Taft.
Associated with him on the ticket il
James Schoolcraft Sherman, who fol
many years has sat in the councils of the
nation and is skilled in the conduct o
public affairs.
Young man, you stand on the thresh
old of decision.
Your first step in the world of polite
will have strong influence on your life
affecting your associations and you
business.
Before making your decision and tax
ing step that can not be retraced, rea'
what is said on this matter by two states
men OF unquestionable probity, devote'
to the best interests of the nation, an,
honored for their high standard in pc
litical morality. These men are Charlie
E. Hughes, Governor of New York, an
Albert j. Beveridge, Senator from Ind
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