The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-15
COOLIDGE URGES
WOMEN TO VOTE
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Continued from Page One)
jected. 1t needs the support of every
element of patriotism, intelligence and
capacity that can be summoned.
II suppose even among the Daugh-
tiers of the American Revolution there
are some womeH who sincerely feel
that it is unbecoming of their sex to
take an active part in politics. 1t is
little difficult to comprehend how
such an attitude could be maintained
by any women eligible to such a So
ciety as this, and sufficiently inter-
ested in the society to participate in its
work. Nevertheless, there are such,
and to them want especially to di-
rect an appeal for different atti-
tude toward the obligations Of the vo-
ter. am much less concerned for
what party, what policies and what
candidates you vote, than that you
shall vote, and that your vote shall
represent conviction. When an en-
lightened electorate acts, have no
fear of the result.
1.-THE Best Government
Here in America, we are living un-
der a form of democratic-republican in
stitutions which 1 profoundly believe
to be the best that has been thorough
ly tested. l say this because our sys-
tenn has gone so far in carefully sep
arating the different departments of
the government. In the early develop
ment of popular institutions, the leg
iSlative and executive authorities were
divided.
But not until the founders of our
republic had made further distribu-
ton and differentiation of functions,
was popular government assured the
opportunity to prove its case. When
the judicial function was set apart and
made the third independent but CO.
ordinating factor in the form Of gov
eminent, the scheme Of perfected
Observation-Disclosures was for the
first time presented 70 the world. Thai
was the great contribution made by
the founding fathers in our .constitu-
ton"
By virtue of this, the people were
last assured equality against the tyr.
amy OF any despotic executive and the
tyranny of any despotic legislator.
Neither Of them, nor both ON them to.
gether, might thereafter impose a law
less Will upon defenseless people.
Would Perfect System
ITO the preservation, the guardian
ship and the gradual perfection of this
system, the American people may well
be summoned. From its earliest estab-
lishment, our government has been an
example to other peoples wherever they
might be, seeking the way of enlight-
ened freedom. :. 1t is for us so to
direct the processes Of our public life
that our institutions shall continue
worthy of the admiration and imitation
Of other communities and the sure de-
Tense Of our own liberties in this we
shall render our greatest service to hu-
manity.
1--WE shall succeed. if we keep always
before us the high purpose which pre-
sided at the beginning of our govern
ment. We shall need at all times, and
we need particularly in this current
troubled period, to keep clearly in our
thought tia conception of our system
as the most nearly perfect mode of guar
anteeing the essentials of freedom.
Under it we have enjoyed liberty
with license. Under it we have been
saved from the excess of partisanship
or Of authority. Under it we have
grown in strength and wealth and moral
authority. But we have never seen,
and it is unlikely that we ever shall see
the time when we can safely relax our
vigilance and risk our institutions to
run themselves under the hand of an
active, even though well-intentioned
minority. Abraham Lincoln said that
no man is good enough to govern any
other man.
No Minority to be Trusted
ITO that we might add that nd
minority is good enough to be trusted
with the government of a majority,
And still further, we shall be wise
enough, and good enough, at all times,
to exercise unlimited control over a
minority. We need the restraints of a
written constitution.
ITO prevent the. possibility of such
things happening, we must require all
citizens, who are entitled to do so to
take their full part in public affairs.
We must be sure that they are edu-
Gated, trained and equipped to do their
part well. We must not permit the
mechAnisms of government, the multi
| plicity of constitutional and statutory
provisions to become so complex as to
get beyond control by an aroused and
informed electoral.
1--WE must provide ample facilities of
education and this will require constant
expansion and, liberalization. We must
aim to impress upon each citizen the
individual duty to be a sincere student
of public problems, in order that they
may rightly render the service which
their citizenship exacts. But after all,
good citizenship is neither intricate nor
involved. 1t is simple and direct. 1t
is everyday common sense and Justice.
Women to Turn Tide
The determination of national policy
that will be made in next November,
| will turn drifn 10 r,nnnh an Ahn nAAsA,,Hn