Show DUTIES OF ELECTORS prom the ne recent convention trin ports which have appeared in the ans I 1 find there Is still a great of appreciation as to the import sace ce of taking an active part in the rby of public affairs 9 pathy may no doubt be at to a want of individual in terest in affairs beyond the limits of the im mediate immediate pursuits ursulta or avocations of daily fife life in which the masses of the people are so thoroughly absorbed with most persons the mind once aroused to a sense of duty will in vindication of its own consciousness and for its own peace demand the th e performance thereof A n apparent duty neglected is a wrong committed in view of this fact permit me to express in a comprehensive way my idea of the citizen who will not interest himself in public matters sufficiently to induce him to express his wish or to exercise his right in determining the administration of the government to which he belongs and of which he himself is an essential part to my mind such a man is both Imin dral and a traitor to the government from which he demands protection this may be considered a very strong if not a harsh way of stating the case if indeed it be a fact Is it possible that immorality attaches to ones character by simply refusing to go to the polls and casting ones vote on election day I 1 ask what is morality in humanity it is an affirmative a positive and not a negative quality morality consists of acts that are in duty faithfully performed that are in harmony with consciousness so that our moral judgments approve them that are evidence in our favor and entitle us to a reward if no more than the peace of an a approving p conscience morality is bot evidenced by the non don doing of an act there may be certain fears which keep men from doing a bad act such as the certainty of punish ment or other unfavorable conditions when the motive is really in their hearts and minds if the act could be done without their suffering the penalty attached to wrong doing non action is not evidence of moral purpose it is in the act performed that moral excellence is found every citizen of a democratic government is a part of the vital force by which a healthy administration is maintained and a man contributes to that end only when lie he goes to the polls and casts cast shIB his ballot for good men to hold the reigns of government no one can duty without involving serious consequences to himself and others every citizen is a part of the government and should do his part toward maintaining it he cannot withhold his mite of support when its perversion and overthrow are threatened by an enemy by his ballot it is demerin determined de terin ned whether his integrity shall be preserved or not and he cannot withhold it without being guilty of criminal neglect the plea of non action is his assured condemnation the marked features of the traitor are discoverable dik when he wilfully withholds that act by which alone life may be preserved and with that life protection prosperity a and d happiness assured the duty here imposed upon the citizen one which he has sworn to discharge is imperative and one which must not be neglected or evaded for any individual policy or consideration morality in this as in all other conditions of life consists in doing what should be done an immorality which if indulged in will surely lead to treachery is strongly attached to that individual who in an emergency will not do his duty toward his country in maintaining a righteous administration of government every citizens voice is supposed to be heard in the ballot which he casts and which helps to determine his count rys weal or woe duty demands that every one shall see that his voice is for fok the good and the right so that a righteous rule may bring peace and happiness to the people and cause to cease the mourning which comes from a wicked rule I 1 am satisfied that there are no people in the land more ready and willing to do their duty than the inhabitants of utah the majority of whom constitute a hardworking hard working and farming community not imbued with the tricks and knavery of the party politician which aney never need learn for practical purposes but when made truly sensible of the importance of political duties they will arise in the majesty of their union and with one voice echoing throughout the land de dare clare that right and righteousness is their motto in all matters affecting the good of humanity in view of more thoroughly instructing ting the 1 njg 0 re 1 in n these important affairs I 1 have 1 looked 0 with favor upon the proposition which appeared in the form of a resolution by one of the conventions that the territorial central committee be asked to take under consideration the ad advisability of forming peoples peopled political clubs for the purpose of dispensing political information and a knowledge of the principles of givern government ment among the citizens may they act with creditable zeal and well directed cenegy in their political duties and so become better qualified fled for the responsibilities of government under a home heme rule administration in accord with state sovereignty SW W R SALT LAKE CITY july 17 1889 |