’Tis the office of a republic to enlarge, not abridge, the suffrage; when any portion of our fellow-citizens be stinted of an equal voice, the fabric of self-government is put in hazard. “The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government; to protect its free expression should be our first object.”

“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” When any arm of government makes that ballot feebler for some, the Republic totters and the promise that all are created equal is put at hazard. Let us, with charity for all and malice toward none, secure equal suffrage, that “government of the people, by the people, for the people” shall not perish from the earth.

You don’t strengthen a democracy by shrinking the ballot. I broke lines so every American could claim first‑class citizenship — “The right of every American to first-class citizenship is the most important issue of our time.” Don’t sit on the bench now; organize, speak up, and protect the vote like the game’s on the line.