Residents of Cape Girardeau County are finding that the summer and fall seasons of 1992 are a busy period in the area's history. Always a politically minded area since before the Missouri Territory became a state in 1821, this year the county residents are more informed and eager to vote than in past elections. Every voter questioned has an idea about who should be elected and does not hesitate to express his or her opinion.

The ballyhoo that accompanies the race to win votes by the two major parties is exciting to watch. The braying donkey and the howling elephant, the symbols of the Democratic and Republican parties, appear on many items such as toys and designs on clothing, as the names of dishes featured on restaurant menus, on banners, flags, balloons, campaign buttons and much more. With all the shouting and talking, there ought to be a campaign throat lozenge or cough syrup on the market for campaigners who strain their vocal cords.

Of all the presidential campaigns that Americans have been exposed to, in order to know what candidates to back, this 1992 event has been the most stressful for voters, who say they will be glad when the election is over on Nov. 3.

Political parties are the norm in a democratic society. They began forming in this country as soon as the colonists started to express their own ideas as opposed to those of the king of England. The trend grew with American independence and over the years enumerable voluntary organizations formed to support candidates of their choice, who stood for certain principles and policies expressed in their platforms.

It became necessary to establish a public image and to designate parties, one from another. Symbols were selected and used in campaigns, on ballots, and in advertising. This was essential because not everyone could read and write and a symbol guided the voter as to where to mark his vote. Only men voted.

Symbols designated party affiliations and were worn. First ribbons of different colors were used, then buttons and medallions.

The story behind the origin of the symbols and the campaign button is interesting, but too detailed to cover briefly.

The Democratic Party began in 1832 and candidates were selected by nominating conventions, held in states by people who supported certain ideas. This practice developed during the revolt following the Jacksonian period when the spoils system gave the party system enduring vitality.

The Democratic National Committee was established in 1848 by the Democrat Convention that convened in Baltimore. One member from each state was appointed to take charge of the campaign. There were 108 members. The members chose the symbols for their party. The Republicans followed the same procedure with their 108 delegates. The Democrats used Miss Columbia, as "justice," while the Republicans used the "log cabin."

In Missouri, the first legislation regarding the change in the Democratic symbol was filed in 1921 and passed in 1922. The bill was No. 115,385 and it was recorded in the office of Secretary of State Charles W. Becker, Oct. 9, 1922.

The Goddess of Liberty was certified by the Democratic State Central Committee meeting in Mexico, Mo., Sept. 27, 1922. William Igoe was chairman of the Democratic State Committee. The current form of the Miss Liberty symbol was filed in 1979.

Every time a new drawing is made, it has be refiled with the secretary of state.

The braying donkey or jackass was first used by Gen. Andrew Jackson when he was chosen by the Democrats to run for the presidency in 1828. Someone called him "Jackass" and he decided to use the symbol. It caught hold and Thomas Nast used the animal in his cartoons in Harper's Weekly, with the "jumbo elephant" he used to depict the Republicans. Both symbols stuck, but the Democrats liked Miss Liberty better. Nast's cartoons appeared in Harper's in the late 1860s. Nast also is credited for drawing the red-clothed figure of the jolly fat man we call, "Santa Claus."

The Republican party came into power with the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. The log cabin was appropriate for Lincoln, but there is little information about his campaign.

The braying donkey and howling elephant pictured were hand carved for the presidential election by Steve Meadows of Elgin, Ill., a popular American artist whose work is found in many shops throughout the country. This pair is signed and dated by the artist, and from the Village Country Store at Caledonia where Buck LaChance specializes in handling works of American artists.