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November 3, 1868, Delphos, Ohio
Election Day dawned. Stanislaus, a German-born immigrant, was excited as he woke up on this frosty November morning. Today was his first opportunity to vote for the president of the United States. His wife Karolina, had encouraged him to seek his American citizenship. Sworn to an oath of allegiance to the United States by the Allen County Court of Common Pleas, Stanislaus received his certificate of naturalization papers. The night before the election, Karolina placed these papers in his right vest pocket. As he walked into town, he patted his pocket to make sure they were still there.
As Stanislaus approached the polling place in Marion Township, an Allen County sheriff’s deputy stopped him. “What are you doing here?” He asked Stanislaus. “You’re an immigrant. You can’t vote. Go home!”
Stanislaus pulled out his citizenship papers from his pocket and showed them to the deputy sheriff. The deputy examined the papers and handed them back to Stanislaus. “Ok, go ahead.” The deputy sheriff said with a sneer.
Stanislaus replaced the citizenship papers in his jacket and went inside the building. He requested a ballot from a surprised clerk. The clerk gave him the ballot and pointed at a table in the corner to complete it. Stanislaus checked the boxes for the President next to General U.S. Grant and the Vice President next to Schuyler Colfax. He returned the ballot to the clerk, who placed it in a large box.
Stanislaus smiled as he departed the polling place. He tilted his hat to the sheriff’s deputy standing outside, who ignored him and walked to the General Store. He had promised to pick up supplies for his wife while he was in town.
