Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1924-10-18
Meanderings OF A Mildly
Militant Mind
WHY l VOTE.

iHut ubout one nan the cltlZcnS OF
the United States entitled to the fran
chise fail to avail themselves of the
privilege is sorry condition of af-
fairs and one difficult to understand.
There may be, indeed there must be-
reasons for not voting, and some of
them doubtless are the inverse of my
reasons for doing so.
1t is scientific to judge others Y
ourselves, and logical conclusions are
often arrived at by deduction. There
fore it may be interesting to learn why
l vote; then, if by any chance you are
one of those who do not, to check up
and discover the truth or fallacy of
these deductions.
In the first place, I vote because
want to. I always wanted to. There
never was such thing as converting
me to equal suffrage. My first thought
on he subject, away back in childhood
days when l observed that father vot-
ed but mother did not, took the form
of an Interrogation, "Why doesn't
mother vote?" Told that "Women
"Women don't vote," there followed
another question, "Why?" The an
swer, "They can't" had to be explain
ed, and when it developed that the on
ly reason they couldn't was because
men wouldn't let them, l knew in
stinctively that there was something
wrong. The love of liberty, my natur-
al inheritance from one hundred per
cent American ancestry, decided the
issue there and then,-women should
votel
In the second place, 1 vote because
] am glad to. Being part, however
small, in this great plan of democ-
racy gives me genuine pleasure. 1t
adds dignity to the daily performance
of domestic duties to feel that l have
an actual speaking part in the affairs
of state; that aside from the silent
shaping of destiny through forces at
work in the home and the sphere of
social contact, my hand helps to turn
the tide of world events.
And then, voting is an expression
of gratitude. I am grateful to the
powers that be for the privilege of
full citizenship in this great and rich
ly blest country of ours. I love the
land of my nativity; appreciate it's
opportunities; and I would be un-
worthy the blessings it imparts if
failed to accept the responsibilities
they carry. It is to be remembered
that blessings and responsibility are
inseparable.
I vote because it is my duty to vote.
Because am interested in everything
that pertains to the life of our nation,
and feel that it's political problems
can not be matter of Indifference to
a loyal, patriotic citizen.
Lastly, l vote because I am proud
to. There is no activity to which there
is attached more glowing and alto
gether satisfying sense of pride. 1t is
great to be an American! So great |
see some of our foreign friends (?)
covet the joy We get out of it and SOL
emily dispute our right to the appel
lation, since, forsooth! the United
States is not the whole Of America.
We forget that sometimes, tits true;
but we are Americans nevertheless;
and, according to the predictions of
learned men, destined to become the
leaders of the world, producers of the
best in science, literature and art,
builders Of the great empire of Uni
versal Brotherhood.
Summing up, my reasons for cast
ing my ballot are: first, I want to;
second, I am glad to; third, it is my
way of expressing my gratitude for
the privilege of being a recognized
unit among the forces fashioning the
policies of this republic; fourth, I
consider participation in political af-
fairs duty; and last, but not least,
my justifiable pride in being that al
together blessed and highly favored
of mortals,-a full fledged American
citizen.
If you do not vote, the inference is
clear. You feel none of these things.
You are indifferent, ungrateful, I'M
dutiful, and lacking in patriotism and
national pride.
Is this deduction correct?
If not, why not prove it?
factions speak louder than words"
Go to the polls and vote!
EDNA REMIT EV HANCOCK