Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-12-31

time settle the questions which now per-
pick them. It is far more easy to do
this through the ballot-box, than by the
sword, and in that way it can be done
much more speedily. It is much to be
regretted that one portion of the people
have resolved not to vote on the Consti-
tuition, as submitted to-day for had
there been a general attendance at the
polls, the question of slavery would
have been fully and definitely settled.
The American people can never de-
termine a political question by absent
ing themselves from the polls Their
absence is regarded as indifference, and
the majority of votes actually given de-
termines the result, and not the major
ity that might have been given. 1t is
asserted by some that persons from 9TH
er States have interfered in the elections,
and that frauds have been perpetrated
by which they have been overpowered
and deprived of their rights. These
charges may be true, but if so, the evils
they complain of will not be remedied
by ~absenting themselves from the polls.
American citizens can never preserve
their rights by abandoning the elective
franchise, and punishment too severe
cannot be inflicted on the man, who by
violence, trickery, or fraud, would de-
prive them of it.
There is no question connected with
our Government which ought not and
which cannot be amicably settled by it.
1t is true that a question may be pre-
sented in a manner Objectionable to
some; but that is not a good reason for
refusing to vote; for if the majority wills
it, the difficulty can soon be remedied
by presenting the question in the man
ner required. 49,
This has been one of the reasons as
signed why a portion of the people will
not vote to day, that the question has
not been fairly presented. Another is,
that they anticipate frauds. l have seen
General Calhoun, the President of the
Convention, to whom the returns are to
be made, and, besides assuring ME that
he has done and will continue to do all
he can to have the elections fairly and
properly conducted, has invited myself
and the presiding officers of the two
Houses of the Territorial Legislature to
be present at the counting of the vote
If a majority of the people are dissatis-
fed with the results of these elections
they can soon change them in a peace.
able manner by a resort to the ballo'
box.
\ very stringent law was passed al
the late session of the Legislature pro
, viding for the infiction of severe pen
alties on persons engaged in election
frauds. This act meets with my mos
hearty approval, and if it is not yet suf
fciently stringent, 1 will gladly assis
in making it moro so. 1t is not possible
to throw too many guards around thi
great bulwark, VIII CHI is the very foun
| dation of our free institutions.
1 cannot close this address .withou
warming the people against ~allowin,
themselves to be drawn into quarrel
e originating in conflicting claims to land:
This is a fruitfNhsource of difficulty i
all new territories, and in the preseh
condition of affairs in this Territory, de
y signing men viii seek to turn every
S thing of the sort to political account
. Many troubles and the loss of man
s valuable lives may be traced to this cause
and people should be cautious about ia
C king sides on political grounds in sue
s matters as are of a purely personal char
: acter. A
In the discharge of my duties I wi
r take such steps as will, in my judgmen
best contribute to carrying out the view
above expressed: for the majesty of tn
laws must and shall be maintained
: In these matters L shall expect the &C
e operation of all good citizens, and shoul
r my expectations be realized, l have n
Z fears but that peace will be preserved
j. W. DENVER,
Secretary and Acting Governor.
DECEMBER p, 1857.