The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-08-07
ever democrat Should Register.

It does not seem to be generally
understood that an entirely new
registration of everyone eligible to
the suffrage is requisite this, year
under the law of the State. and that
no man who does not take out a new
certificate before the fourth of Sep
tember may cast his ballot at the
general election to be held on Nov
ember.9, next, when an election will
be held for national, State and coun-
ty Offices.
The new registration is required
under the suffrage section of the
constitution of 1895, which provides
that there shall be an enrolment of
every elector once in ten years, 1898
being fixed as the first year~of gen.
eral registration. The ten-year
registration period is at hand, there
fore. and every man must take out
q new certificate or lose his right OF
suffrage. The registration must be
made in person, and, in order that
everybody applying may be accomo-
dated. the board of registration for
Orangeburg County is in session eve
ry day in the courthouse. The Char
lesion Post says tits the duty of every
wmte citizen of this State to enroll
.himself-as voter, if he is eligible
to the suffrage. Neglect to qualify
as voter is serious dereliction OF
citizenship, and no thoughtful man,
who recognizes his obligations to So
ciety, will fail to fit himself for the
important function which he is priv
ileged to exercise in the scheme OF
our free government. There are
not few citizens who argue llgnt-
" that it is unnecessary TO qualify
as voter at the general election,
since there is no need to vote IN
South Carolina, where the white
mans candidates are assured o.
election anyway.
That may be very we'll for a whlle
but there is no telling when the
time may come in which it will De
necessary for every white man 70
cast his ballot, and those VINO nave
SO long neglected their duty may
find themselves so habituateo 20 NJ
difference that they will be founoa
wanting at the caitical momen',
The habit of vo:ingis one that should
be cultivated, however small the ne
cessity for it's indulgence may oe'
The abstention from voting whlch
is so prevalent in this State is the
cause of considerable embarrass-
ment to Democratic Congresslhel'
whose seats are, from time to tllhe'
contested by conscienceless negroes
supported by INSCRIPTIONS "hl'e
men.
In s,,cb contests the small vote cast
at the general election is always
cited against the duly elected Con-
gresham, and the same poor show
ing of ballots is made an argument
for reduction of representation from
the South by the Crumpackers and
the Keifers. If all the Democrats
who participate in the primary and
there take oath to support the noml'
nee of that tribunal, would vote at
the general election, the enemies OF
the South would be robbed of their
favorite statistics.
There is good deal of talk TINS
year about the Republicans making
a special effort to poll a heavy vote
in the Southern States, not so much
with the hope of carrying any States
of this section, as for the moral Ell
feet the showing will have upon the
country in Indicating a divided SEN
timent of the South toward Democ-
racy. There is no danger OF the
Republicans carrying South Carolina
for their nationa! ticket. but every
Democrat should do his part to de-
feat their scheme by casting a vote
at the general election this year.
And that Can nuL DC done unless a
registration certificate is held. and
the only way that can be obtained
is by calling at the registration office
and enrolling. And that must be
done within the next few weeks.