Article October 20, 1928 Issue

Signs of the Times

with contributions from Daniel A. Poling, Florence E. Allen, Grace H. Brosseau, Irving Ellsworth Putnam, Julian Harris, Henry C. Offerman, Robert E. Brown

[Daniel A. Poling, as quoted in the Union Signal, Evanston, Illinois]

Our whole fabric of government is dependent upon a political system conceived and established by the fathers, but for which we are responsible. This system of government, changed from time to time to meet the needs of the advancing social order, halted at intervals by the shock of social revolutions from within and the impact of new world forces from without, remains to-day the most helpful plan of government yet evolved for human progress. The keystone of this system is the ballot. He whose hands fail to hold the keystone in its place is a traitor to the state and should be made a man without a country.

But does not the right to vote imply the privilege of not voting? No, rather the right to vote enjoins the duty of voting. Free governement must eventaully fail when men do not practice the truth that every voter is bound, on every offered occasion, unless physical disability prevents, to go to the polls and cast his ballot in such a way as to represent his sovereign sentiments on the issue before the people. I may never vote with the majority; but if my vote expresses my citizenship, . . . wins! And for Christian it is just as much a religious duty to vote as to pray. The ballot is my political prayer.

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