Vote for principle

The statue is of John Wood (1798-1880),
founder of Quincy and second governor of Illinois.

What was once the principle square in my beloved Gem City (a.k.a. Hobbiton) originally was named John Park (today it is called Washington Square/Park).

It was the main square of downtown Quincy, which was - and remains - the seat of Adams County.

As you have likely deduced - and rightly so - Quincy, Illinois was named in 1825 after the sixth President of these United States of America, John Quincy Adams.

It was in this very park that Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln held their sixth of seven debates, a moment that Quincians have not forgotten, but that's a story perhaps for another day.

At any rate, it was the namesake of my hometown who said (as Bishop Coyne reminds us today):

Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.

This nation was founded on the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  These three are very much intertwined and are presently being threatened from numerous sides as both the dignity of human life and the freedom of religion are slowly and purposefully being curtailed.

As we cast our ballots today, let us do so for these principles that have made our nation great, and not for partisan politics.  We must remember that we are not Republicans or Democrats or Independents, but Catholics.

May God bless us, one and all.