As you read this, Regnat Populus is underway. Early voting in Arkansas began on Oct. 19, and the last day to vote is Tuesday, Election Day.

By Wednesday, the people will have spoken.

In doing so, they will fulfill the principle engraved in Latin on our state seal that celebrates popular sovereignty. Once again, the legitimate political authority by consent of the people will be reflected through the officeholders in our government--from local and state positions up to Congress.

Whoever wins the election for governor will be the governor for all of us in Arkansas. Whoever is elected alderman in your local city ward will be the alderman for all ward residents.

It is each citizen's duty to embrace the expressed will of the people. That's what used to be a core value of the American electorate--one of our exceptional virtues.

History instructs us well on the matter. George Washington warned in his Farewell Address that obstructions to counteract constituted authority or "to undermine what cannot be directly overthrown"--even under plausible character--are destructive and "of fatal tendency" to American liberty.

As far back as 1838, French visitor Alexis de Tocqueville found Americans to be remarkable in this respect. Here's an excerpt from his description of the........

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