Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-07
BY CoRINNE FRAZIER.

college youth, in a Kansas school,
4 to tell the people of the United
States why / Should Vote" In
prize winning language, according 10
the opinion of the judges in the Nation
wide contest sponsored by the General
Federation of Women'S Clubs, for the
John Hays Hammond prizes, which
have recently been awarded.
Miss Elizabeth McNfahan of Jackson
willie won the $3.50 award for first place
in the high-school class, with her essay,
which is as direct and forceful in the
ideas expressed as it is simple in style.
Clifford Miller of the Kansas State
Teachers College, at Hays, has been
awarded the winners prize of similar
amount in the college and university
class, his arguments being almost ident-
couched in more sophisticated language.
Both of the young eSsayists declare
that it is not only a citizens greatest
privilege, but his first duty to vote, II
he believes In democracy, because only
through the vote can the rule OF the
majority be assured, and only by this
means can true democracy be attained
and maintained.
why should I voteP" asks Miss Nc
Mahan. Because I believe in democ-
racy. Democracy is a government Of
though government has been tried
for over a hundred and fifty years, 1t is
not a proof that 1t can never fail. II
we fail to vote, our democracy will fall,
and in its place will arise monarchy.
We would soon realize the privileges
and opportunities democracy gives us II
tyrants ruled our country. With the
decrease in electors we may face this
problem In few years, but we must
not do so. Democracy is as sound and
wise as the voters make it.
why should I vote" she continues.
"In order that the minority may not
rule our country. The opinions of the
majority should shape our Government,
but If I fail to vote 1 am weakening the
majority. When only about one-half of
our electors vote, the minority really
governs the people. Of1icials elected by
a great number of people try to work
for the people as a whole. The ma
jority's vote, then, is fight for laws
rule is in the interest of a few.
Through seffishness and personal inter-
est, corruption creepS in. Minority rule
must be checked by all citizens assert
ing their right to vote, so that we may
maintain representative government
free from corruption.
why should vote? So that I can
justly criticize. If I fail to vote, my
silence gives consent to those who are
elected and the principles for which
they stand. Unless make my wishes
known by my ballot, have no right to
blame officials or criticize the laws en-
acted by the majority.
why should I vote? Because am a
part of the greatest nation in the world.
On account Of her wealth, rapid devel-
opment and influence, my country has
many problems and responsibilities to
face, and !, as citizen, must take my
share in facing these problems. If fail
to vote, have no share in my country S
greatness.
why should I vote? Because of my
countrys example in goverrS1ent. Many
governments in the old worlo>have crum-
bled. The people have looked to Amer
lea for a model government, and they
have found that our Government exists
for the individual and not the individual
for the Government. This discovery has
not directly of the people. Democracy
is the hope of the world.
why should vote2 Because 1t is
my privilege. Every citizen should
esteem it a privilege to share in his
government. We cannot all be
officers, but we do have the opportunity
to share in this government through
voting most emphatically wish to
avail myself of the opportunity.
Why should vote? Because of my
citizenship. AS we are born into FAM
lilies, so are we also born into citizen
ship In a nation. The relations spring.
ing from this birth bring obligations
upon us which cannot be ignored. Our
obligations to our country are our du-
ties as citizens. We must not shirk
our duty or we will find the truth OF
Daniel Websters remark: II, in our
case, the representative system ultimate
" fails, popular government must be
pronounced impossible The last
hopes of mankind, therefore, rest with
u.s. We must not sound the knell
Of popular government.
Therefore, as citizen, I must vote
to live up to my citizenship, preserve
democracy, keep our government in
the hands Of the majority, maintain
pure government, preserve for myself
the privilege of criticism, support my
government in its responsibilities and
the example she offers the world, and
lastly, to enjoy
"'The crowning fact,
The kingliest act
OF freedom -.
the freemans vote"
X X X
TN this final paragraph lies the kernel
u of. Miss McMahan'S argument, as
we'll as that of Clifford Miller. Who
adds to hers the fact that the privilege
of the vote was bought for the citi-
zens of today at dear price and given
them for nothing.
There is no right more valuable
to a people than the one which makes
all men a part of the intelligence of
the governments" says young Miller.
+. Public opinion is the ballast
which controls the officials elected to
It keeps them from involving the ma
ton hopelessly in foreign turmoil: it
prevents a gifted commercial aristoc-
racy from robbing the masses Of OPP
portuntty and economic freedom. Pub
lie opinion soon would lose its domt-
nance If it had no means of expression.
Its most emphatic and immediate
means is embodied in the fran
Voting is the duty of every citi-
GEN. he continues. He owes 1t to
the heroes of the past who fought
at so great cost that he might have
that privilege. And he owes it to him.
self. to his community, and to his ma
ton for the protection and welfare
of society.
"One voter might stay away from
the polls with the idea that his one
vote would make little difference any
how. When large numbers take the
same position. self-government is in
danger. Under such condition gov
eminent is not in the hands of all OF
the people, but rather in the hands
of a part of the population, the ones
who are most definitely led by the
political demagogues.
NYf the cifizenc of the limited States