The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-04
rur pUry oF DEMOCRATS.

If there is one duty more than an- other which the Democrats of Alabama habituaIly neglect it is the duty of vot- ing, especially in our National elect ions. For 1t is duty which rests on all citizens of our great state, and which no good citizen should ignore or neglect. The results of all our gen- eral elections show a shameful neglect and indifference in this respect. The defense made by many for their negli- gence, that the State is unchange.- ably Democratic, is not valid one. IL is not because all the Democratic votes of Alabama are needed to carry the State. but because of the reputation we get through non-voting.
 If any one cares to see just what we refer to let him compare the votes for Congressmen in Alabama with like votes in almost any Northern State. He will find that In Congressional elect. ions up there from seventy-five to HiHCty REH CNnN Ol NuS tOb@i NONAho strength is cast and counted, while in Alabama there will be only from twenty to thirty per cent cast. This is not only a failure of Demo- to do their duty but 1t is a reflection on our citizen ship. We are continually being taunt, ed by Northern papers and speak CTS with the fact that a few thous- and votes will elect a Congressman down South. while 1t requires from. three to five times as many to elect one up there. In one respect this criticism is unfair but in another 1t Is not. It is unfair because it is intended to cre' ate the impression that Congressman in Alabama for example represent only g limited number of inhabitants. which IS not true. It is fair in that t is a just rebuke to our people for neglect of duty.
 In the coming Presidential election 1t is especially incumbent on all Demo- ofats to go to the polls. It matters not whether the vrter was an original Bryan man or not. That question was settled for all of us at Denver. The Democratic of the country have Q meth cd of selecting a candidate for Pres idsnt, and when that has been done in the regular way there is nothing to be done but support him Loyalty and unitedly. It Is not that there is any doubt about the electoral vote of Ala bama. or that all the Democratic votes will be needed to give him the State, for the electoral vote of this State will so for him as matter of course. One third or less of the total Democratic vote of Alabama will give the State to Bryan, and that Is also true of a num- Der of other States, but that is not all If he gets a majority of the electoral votes of the entire country those votes should be backed by a correspondins majority of the popular vote.
 We firmly believe that clear major. ity of the votes of the Union is Demo cratic if all would vote wao san do SO ] We all know that wh He the real Soul
 is Democratic the vote cast is us',a. ly shamafuiiy smaTl. This is not jus to the ticket, the party or to our pa triotism and intelligence. The Demo crats of Alabama can poll over two hundred thousand votes. if they will turn out as they should do. It Is no much trouble to go to the polls or election day. It requires but little tim, or trouble to do this, and ii IS a du', that should not be neglected. Wt want to see a bumper" and record r'Sking vote cast for the Domocrl'i: ticket in November. Wa rpay not sue eeed in electing 5ryan but in tn, words of Addison:
 "Tis not in mortals to command sue cess
 But we'll do more sempronius-wel
 deserve it,
 and the way to deserve i; fs to dn oul wbole duty on election day