The Ballot Box as a Sacrament

American Minute from William J. Federer

In a Radio Address, NOVEMBER 3, 1924, President Calvin Coolidge stated: "I therefore urge upon all the voters of our country, without reference to party, that they assemble...at their respective voting places in the exercise of the high office of American citizenship, that they approach the ballot box in the spirit that they would approach a sacrament, and there, disregarding all appeals to passion and prejudice, dedicate themselves truly and wholly to the welfare of their country."

Calvin Coolidge continued: "When an election is so held, it...sustains the belief that the voice of the people is the voice of God."

Commenting on political candidates, Alexis de Tocqueville wrote in Democracy in America, 1835: "If a political character attacks a (religious) sect, this may not prevent even the partisans of that very sect from supporting him; but if he attacks all the sects together, every one abandons him and he remains alone...Moreover, all the sects of the United States are comprised within the great unity of Christianity."

On September 20, 2001, President George W. Bush addressed Congress: "Our enemy is a radical network of terrorists...They hate our freedoms-our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote."

William J. Federer is a nationally recognized author, speaker, and president of Amerisearch, Inc, which is dedicated to researching our American heritage. The American Minute radio feature looks back at events in American history on the dates they occurred, is broadcast daily across the country and read by thousand on the internet.