By Beverly Clinkingbeard

Our forefathers set in motion a whole new thought and vision – Democracy. Once freedom was gained from England the colonies operated under “Articles of Confederation.” Representatives from each of the colonies formed the Constitution that is the standard of law we still live within. Before the Constitution was set in ink there were many arguments, revisions and concessions on the part of colonial delegates. Needed was a framework of government that would be by the people, for the people and of the people – a government representative of liberty, justice and freedom of worship.

Essays known as “The Federalist Papers” sought to educate and explain the workings of the Constitution to a largely illiterate society. Nine of the 13 colonies ratified the Constitution and federal elections were set. Due to communication and traveling difficulties, the election period was from December 15, 1788, through January 10, 1789, with newly elected officials to take office March 14, 1789. The Bill of Rights would come later and were officially ratified December 15, 1791.

Article Two of the Constitution established a method for presidential elections, including the formation of an electoral college. The new Congress set January 7, 1789, for the first presidential election, and as we learned in the first grade, General George Washington was elected president.

Each of the colonies (now states) formed rules for the election of their own state and local officials. Precincts were designated, ballots printed and the people set off to live the new democracy.

Surely the process had many challenges as illiteracy was common. Most states (the exception was New Jersey who in 1797 allowed white women the vote, then rescinded that right in 1807) limited voting to property owning or tax paying white men. It wasn’t until August of 1920 that white women were allowed to join white men at the polls and cast their vote. In 1924, native Indians were granted the right to vote and in 1965 black citizens were allowed the vote.

Not having the media coverage we are accustomed to, colonial candidates would often be at the polling station encouraging voters to vote for them. (One can imagine the shouting and intimidation this produced.) Due to illiteracy voting was verbal. The poll worker would read off the name(s) on the ballot and one by one the voter affirmed his choice. Since only men were able to vote, it was indeed, a man’s world.

Being able to get to the polls was also an issue. Candidates would send out wagons to round up eligible voters, often with the accompaniment of free drink. That resulted in establishing rules preventing the coercion of votes and today those rules still stand with candidates not being allowed to campaign within a certain distance of a polling place. Political signs flutter in the breeze so many feet from the door. Not recommended is wearing clothing of a political statement.

Buying votes is prohibited, however, waiting for public transit on a cold windy street corner in Chicago, the well-dressed man was handing out cash with a flourish and generous attitude to men dressed in tattered clothing. The bars had been closed for Election Day. Only sober votes, please. And the well-dressed man handing out cash was simply, coincidental, to Election Day?

Today we receive moment by moment vote counts and expect prompt conclusion. In colonial and pioneer America, it could be days or weeks before knowing the results. Each precinct placed their ballots in heavy muslin cloth bags, with state and precinct noted. Interfering with the rider or wagon that carried the votes to their designated place was a federal crime.

Political arguing and discussion hasn’t changed – just the issues and names. In colonial times it was not uncommon to settle differences with a pistol duel. A noted political argument in 1804 was between Treasurer Alexander Hamilton and Vice President Aaron Burr. Duels had rules, referees and generally an audience, though playing with firearms, duelers were not supposed to end up dead. However, Hamilton did and Burr’s political life over. (Do we even want to try and imagine how the press would report such a duel today?)

The other better known political disagreement ended up in a Civil War with brother against brother and thousands dead over the issue of secession, tariffs and slavery. Then as now, newspapers were aligned with a party and opinion. That often resulted in the newspaper office and press being burned.

Today we have a media who hoses us down each day with many political messages. And though there may be many things wrong with our nation’s functionality, the original intent of liberty is still available and the mechanics of justice waiting for many.

As a citizen with the right to vote I may not agree with the outcome of an election, but for the sake of democracy, I’ll live with the decision made by the majority, and always, always, be grateful that by chance of birth I live in the land of the free, and yes, home of the brave.

Be sure to vote! ’Til next time…