The Pensacola journal., 1908-10-27
Let No Democrat
Fail to Vote.

1t is OF very great Importance, and
especially here in the South, that the
sull vote of the democratic party for
Mr.. Bryan should be cast on the ap-
preaching 3rd of November.
Under our system, in which the cleo
toral college made up of the presiden-
tial electors from the several states
meets after the general election, and
casts the vote of these states, one vote
Tor each senator and representative in
congress, it may happen, and in fact
has happened, that candidate for
president may get a majority OF the
popular vote, but not a majority in
the electoral college.
Mr.. Cleveland was three times the
democratic nominee for president, and
each time he received a majority OF
the popular Note but only twice a ma
jority in the electoral college. In 1888
General Harrison defeated him by
vote in the electoral college of 16S
for Cleveland and 2S3 for Harrison.
but in the general election Cleveland
got the majority. Mr.. Tilden also got
majority of, the popular vote over
Hayes but he was counted out by a
republican tribunal which threw out
the votes of three states foI alleged
fraud.
In the election next month there is
no doubt that the full mocratic
strength in the northern states will
be brought out al the polls, for there
is where the real fight is being made,
where the opposition is intease and
the voters~ of both the great parties
fully aroused in the struggle for mas
teFy.
- Every democrat will register his
vote in those states, but here in the
South where We have only one party
of any real strength and the nomi-
nees are virtually elected at the prl-
maries the full democratic vote is
never brought out at the general elec
tion. The people feed that the matter
has already been decided, that the de
feat of the nominees is impossible, nc
matter how light the vote. and as a
result many stay away from the polls.
But this should not be so next
month. II the full democratic vote OF
the South is cast. that added to the
northern democratic vote, will almost
certainly give Mr.. Bryan popular
majority, even though he might. be de
feated in the electoral college Such
nctrff hs.
victory for our candidate and cur par.
ty and would give. democracy a pres
tige all over the Union that would take
away much of the sting of de feat in
the electoral college and convey such
an impressive and salutary lesson to
ATTY as would not only
restrain its excesses during its term
OF power. but help in a very real way
TO secure the reform legislation to
which our party is committed.
A popular majority is the voice of
the American people and no pIrty in
power would fail to recognize Is sig
niicance or disregard its wirning
We would hear no more of a dead de-
mocracy after such a result as that
and the party would gather new
strength and new inspiration for the
next fight that would assure not only |
a popular victory. but triumph In the
electoral college as we'll
The Journal believes that Mr.. Bryan
will be elected and shares the general
democratic faith in the result next
Tuesday, but even if he fails TO secure
a majority of the electors. he can and
will secure the popular majority il
every Southern democrat goes TO the
polls on election day and casts his
vote. Let no man stay at home on
that day.