The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-11-04
THE CASE TO THE JURY.


people, the advocates of the various
candidates now rest their case. Today
that jury proceeds to the casting of its
multitude of ballots. The majority may
decide, or the jury may disagree, making
it necessary to refer the decision to an
other tribunal. The outcome no man may
at this hour predict with confident pre-
cision. Undoubtedly, there are strong
Inducements of sentiment which only
the tabulation of the votes can COM
pletely reveal. Until the polls shall close,
the result is subject to the will of those
who vote.
Only of those who vote, however.
Those who do not vote are as remote
from influence upon the decision as If
they dwelt on some distant planet The
choice of a nations president is mo-
mentous one. 1t is the browning exercise
of the right of franchise. 1t is to make
history, to construct another irrevocable
section in our national record. The right
to vote, therefore, carries with it the
duty to vote, in order that the voice of
the true majority may prevail.
As Americans, we have ever sternly
cherished the right to vote; but we have
often held the opportunity to vote all too
lightly. Thus the decision of popular
minority may we'll prevail, if those whose
numbers complete the majority fail to
register their preferences. Some may
evade and escape their electoral obllga-
tons, but there are none who can evade
or escape the consequences, good or bad,
of today's decision. The exercise of the
franchise is voluntary and individual,
but the fortunes of each are inevitable
bound up in the fortunes OF all. For
that reason, all enfranchised Americans
owe it to their own concerns to cast their
ballots this day for their choice among
the candidates.
The people of Alabama have an espe-
cial incentive, in that their representation
in the national councils is based upon the
number of active voters. AS this states
affairs assume greater relative proper
tions in the nations activities, it is essen
tial that they be brought to national at
tention by delegation as imposing as
our population entities US to ENJOY
What is thus true as regards Alabama
applies equally throughout the South.
This section wants no more than its
due. but it wants it's due. 1t demands
more complete recognition, not for sec
tional reasons, but for national reasons.
In more recent decades its legitimate
claims to national attention have been
given less consideration than they
merited. This has been Immediately in
furious to the South, but in the ultimate
consequences it has been likewise inju-
rious to the whole nation.
To some extent this has been the fault
of the people of the South, To that ex-
tent the remedy lies with the people OF
the South. The first step in applying
the remedy is for every one, having the
right to vote, to exercise that right. A
heavy vote in Alabama will give Alabama
additional prestige outside her own
boundrfes. 1t will emphasize throughout
the country that the people of Alabama
take their electoral responsibilities serl-
ously. And that will advise others to
take them equally as seriously.
This state contains within itself all the
elements of empire. The industrial, fl
Inancial and commercial opportunity Ala
bama now presents is attracting the at
Itention of the entire world of investment
and enterprise. A few years more, and
the center of industrial activities may lie
within our borders. This position brings
with it the obligation to exert Alabama's
Influence in behalf of good government,
equitably bestowing its benefits regard
less of class, group or faction.
Alabama's people can no more con-
vincingly demonstrate their patriotism
and enlightenment than by courageously
and Enthusiastically casting their ballots to
the practical limits of their numerical ca
pacity. Let every Alabama man and
woman perform this one function of citi-
zenship this day, as notice to the world
of Alabama's determination eventually to
stand at the head in all things. And that,
too, is within the power of this people to
achieve.
Vote today, if it is the last thing you
do. But it is safer to make it the first
thing YOU do. A presidency depends
upon it.