The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1840-12-18

importance, and in which the people have
vital interest, and commend it ts your careful
and special consideration.
REORGANIZATION OF THE
ELECTION LAWS.
Your attention is respectfully called
to the propriety Of a rganatiOn Of
our election laws, with view to rem
der them mre Ineligible. The pre-
sent statute is construed differently in
different parts Of the State, net only
with regard 10 what constitutes tn elec-
tor, but as TO his right to vote 10 other
counties or districts those in which ha
actually resides. All obscurily should
be obviated, in,order that an uniform
construction might prevail throughout
the State.
The penalties attached to fraudulent
voting, or TO an improper or corrupt ex-
ercise Of power on the part Of the trus-
tees and clerks Of elections are deemed
insufficient. InIhe recent elections. it
is strongly apprehended, that the sane
TRY ofthe ballot-box has been disre-
garded, to considerable extent; that in.
dividuals have voted from other States,
having no right TO vote while others
have voted 10 different and in several
townships, on the same day.
tits believed that judges ofelecuons, in some
instances, have not been sufficiently careful in
the discharge Of their official duties, and have
permitted persons TO vote, when under the law
they should have been excluded. No party exc
citement can paate a violation of the sanctity
ofthe ballot-box. No excuse Jean be offered for
double voting or giving or receiving illegal votes
knowing them 10 be such. 1t is an assault on
the sovereign power ofthe people, an attempt
10 break down the majority, and place the mi
nority in power BY fraud, fsuccessfhl, IS as
completely an usurpation ofthis government by
the minority, ,as though they had displaced from
office, ii ose legally elected, at the point of the
bayonet. 1t s moral treason against the State.
and those who Hre guilty deserve severe and
exemplary punishment.
One of the fundamental principles ofour gov-
eminent is, that the will of the majority shall
rule, when legally and consItutionally expires,
sed; and it is the duty ofevery good citizen to
submit to that will. Fraudulent ard illegal yo
ting are designed TO destroy this principle and
substitute the will of the minority for that of the
majority. The right of suffrage is one of which
every American citizen is justly proud. Bu
this right is Of no importance, f,he power i
confers is to be destroyed by the frauduen, vot
Of others. In what do the citizens Of thi
country differ from the subjects of the despots o
the old worldl Mainly in the fact that the,
possess the right of suffrage aud the right t.
bear arms in its defence, 1t is the right of sui
frage, and the right to bear arms that dstinguis
es the freeman from The slave. 1t is by mean
ofthis right that the people govern-that the
legisIate for themselves, and execute the law
when nude, through agents oftheir own choice
Take this right from us, and we are no longe
free. Preserve it from fraud and corruption, &
we never can be slaves.
1t is a matter of vital importance to preserv
the confidence of tho people in the purity of tn
ballot box This cannot be done while me
are permitted with mpunty, to pass from stat
TO state, from county TO county, and townshi
to township, to destroy the will ofthe majority
by illegal and fraudulent votes. The evil is NJ
confined merely to our own State. In variou
sections f,he Union, Developments have re
Gently been made frauds in different shape
at the ballot boxes, of the most astounding an
startling character. The fraudulent voting col
planned of IN this State, appears to be but pal
Ofa great system, that would seem to have bee
deliberately planned and executed, with tn
view of obtaining political power. The ev
appears to be wide spread and of fgrowing mag
nitude, aud demands prompt legislative actio
in order to arrest it. The majority ofall partit
are doubtless honest. patriotic and virtuouS, an
desire to see the integrity of the ballot box pre-
served. The true interest ofaA, and and tn
safety and harmony of the Union, and the pee
PIE, require this to he done. When the purlt
of the ballot box shall be habitualy dISregarde
there will be an eEd TO civil liberty. and it re
quires but little foresight tn anticipate the cons
quences. We know they cannot be favorab
TO the happiness; harmony and prosperity ofol
county. The extent of The evil complained
may be oVerrated, while, on the other hand
may not I've IuLly comprehendcd. II ia enouu