The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-12-29
BY WILLIAM ERLENMEYER

Loudly does democracy proclaim
the rights of man. The duties OF man
as nearly as possible it forgetS." These
rights call forth to men to do their
duty towards their country and II q
country is worthy of being called our
home. 1t is worthy of our support. We,
the people of this democracy, should
not forget our rights and most per-
sonal duty of serving our country by
voting. Experience of government
has proven the constitution to mean
government by" as we'll as for" the
people. It guarantees a republican
form Of government to every state.
These state governments can be as
good or as bad as we choose to make
them.
There are many governments re-
publican in form but their admins
trations are in fact a series Of guer-
lila relationships. The rights of man
have increased rapidly during this
last century. but man has no right
to claim a share of these rights UNI
less he first performs his duties.
The Declaration of independence
shows that our forefathers were not
only conscious of their rights. but
their duties as we'll. They were look
ing forward to Greater America
and stated as follows in the pream-
BILE: I'VE, the people of the United
States. in order to. ....... establish
justice. ....... Insure domestic tran
quillity. ...... promote the general
| welfare, ....... do Ordain and eStab-
lish this constitution for the United
States of America" We, the people
of the United States, must be educat-
ed in the problems of the present day
and when it comes time to vote, we
should vote to promote these pur-
poses.
Our national experience of nearly
a century and a half has taught us
that we, the citizens of the United
States, cannot keep nor improve JUS
tice, domestic tranquility and gen.
eral welfare unless we support the
educational system. Universal edu-
cation is as modern an institution as
democracy" In all the records Of
history no establishment of govern
ment has been instituted by an illit-
crate citizenship. Good government
depends upon the character and in
telligence Of its citizens and without
education it cannot survive. At the
thine of the adoption Of our constitu.
ton few people believed in democ.
racy or widespread education.
Old autocratic rulers knew that ed.
ucation would destroy their rule, 81
they tried to keep their subjects un.
educated. The teachings of history a!
we'll as the opinions of the old auto
cratic rulers have taught us the ne
cessity of education Of the masses
Therefore, whenever the opportunit.
comes for us to aid in the advance
ment of education it is our duty t,
do so.
Slackness is the chief reason VIII,
voters neglect to vote. When the in
dividuals are busy working, the tim
needed for intelligent political actor
is often begrudeed. The duty of vot
. ing is not always compelling, for whel
q duty is shared by innumerable 9th
er persons it appears less persona
duty. If we neglect to vote we en-
courage other fellowmen to neglec
. their duty. I'm democracy" as Lor
Bryce says, "everybody's business
nobody's business" You and I shout
feel that voting is compelling dut
and we should set an example for GU
fellow citizens by performing tha
most personal duty.
In such countries as Belgium an
Spain it has been custom to penal
: ize citizens for not voting but tina
idea of compulsory voting is repug
) nant to the American spirit. La
!, cannot build up the indifferenceS ia
wards voting, but the education {
the voters to their moral obligation
will eliminate much of this. w
t should vote for the advancement {
education and should endeavor I
teach the people their rights and per
+ sonal duties Bryce states tina
5 Universal suffrage as it now exist
! in the United States is not only
] great element Of safety in the preser
day and generation, but is perhal
|. the mightiest educational force
: which the masses Of men ever ha,
s been exposed"
3 should vote because / am q citize
and every citizen is a stockholder
the greatest corporation in the Uni
d ed States. The United States Go,
eminent. AS a citizen I enjoy ce,
: tain rights and privileges and mu
x meet various duties and responsible
:. ties.
5 should vote because my childre
3 will be citizens of the governmel
e which we should strive to upho
: throughout the ages. For as o,
forcfathers were thinking of Il
: peace of the future when they nam.
: among certain inalienable right
IS life. liberty. and the pursuit Of happ
: ness, and they added lit is to secu
q these rights that government Is II
o stituted among men," They gave
the privilege that whenever Al
form OF government becomes destru
tive to these ends. it Is our privile
to alter or abolish It and institu
! new government laying its foundati.
on such principles and organizing
q powers IN such form as to us sh,
81 seem most likely to effect our safe
oy1d hovA,@ls>nov Naf{No ~ u ma ~