Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 October 1900 — “DEAR BOY” LETTERS. NO. 9. [ARTICLE]

“DEAR BOY ” LETTERS. NO. 9.

My Dear Boy: You say that you are tired of working for old mau Skinner, and are thiuking of going West this fall, where wages are higher. You ask what I think about it. Well, 1 have no objection to your going West, but 1' don’t want jou to go till after the election. This is the first time in your life that you ever had an opportunity to exercise your right as an American citizen in voting for a President of the United States. 1 don’t want you to lose your vote for the following reasons: 1. The only possible chance of the election of Bryan comes from the over-confi-rfence of Republicans. It makes me sad to hear a man say, “Oh, McKinley is going to be elected, anyhow. There'is no danger. I have arrangements made to be in California in November, but you won’t ueed my vote.” Especially do I regret to hear talk of this kind among some ■of the railroad men. If any class of men ought to come up unanimously to the support of McKinley and the Republicau party, that class is composed of the railroad men of this country. Four years ago there were thousands of cars sidetracked, no building and bui little repairing going on, and general stagnation in the railroad business. Now new roads, new roadbeds, new cars, the roads crowded with trains, full lime and better |iav bless the railroad men of this country. And it vexes me to hear a railroad man say, "I would have to lay oil' a day to vote, aud I guess I’ll not do that. There will be plenty to elect McKinley without me." Well, if by any possibility .McKinley should be defeated, just such men as that will have themselves to blame. 2. No American voter has any right to . stay away from the polls or to lose his vote if it cau possibly be avoided. My son, you are one of the sovereigns of the United States, and you have no more right to neglect the duties pertaining to your high calling thau the Emperor of Ijermany has to neglect the government of that mighty empire. To vote is a matter of inestimable privilege, and also a matter of earnest, conscientious duty. Two years ago you enlisted to fight for your country as a soldier, but the surgeon turned you down and would not let you go. I sympathized with you in the bitterness of your disappointment. I knew that love of country led you to ■ enlist, ami 1' was proud because you wanted to go. And 1 think that the surgeon was a little over-particular. You would have made a good soldier. But I want you tsr realize that you serve your country as truly when yon east an honeat ballot as if you wefe a soldier in the

field. Perhaps you can do more good with the ballot than you could with the gun. Your country did not seem to need you as a soldier, but your country does need you in the realm of citizenship. 3. No matter how long you may live, you will never have au opportunity to vote for better men than this year. We have-a magnificent ticket. McKinley and Rooseveltl What a superb combination! They are both statesmen and both heroes, one of the great Civil War and one of the war for the deliverance of Cuby. McKinley. steady, earnest, thoughtful, calm, kind and faithful; Roosevelt, impetuous but efficient, brave and dashing, with both moral and physical courage. Was there ever a better ticket or one which more thoroughly commands the respect, the confidence and the affection of the American people? If you don’t stay and vote you will be sorry for it twenty years from now. Make some sacrifice for your country’s sake. Oh. my boy. you must not go until the election is over. And when in November the ballots fall "As snowflakes fall upon the sod. And execute the freeman's will. As lightning does the will of God,” Cast your vote and then sleep sweetly that night, with a sense of duty faithfully done. YOUR FATHER. '