The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-09-18
Thursday Morning, Sept. Is, 1862
For Representative ira Congress.
Shall Soldiers Vote E

The Milwaukee Wisconsin seems to dislike
the suggestion of soldiers being allowed to
vote. That paper, after recounting the imagi-
nary dangers to be apprehended by extending
the voting privilege to soldiers, closes its ar
tice as follows: "Let the soldier do his work,
and the civilian citizen his. Each will do best
in his own sphere"
The substance of the reasoning is, that coll
diers are untitled for the exercise of the elect
i've franchise; while those who are not soldiers
are qualified for the sphere of voting, In OH
er words, those who make practical exhibition
of their love of country, by voluntarily taking
up arms in its defense, unfit themselves for vo-
ting; while those who for want Of patriotism
or other cause, choose to stay at home, are just
the kind Of men to do the voting and shape the
policy of the country. Those who leave home,
father, mother, wife friends and business, sho'd
be DISTINGUISHED and allowed no voice in the
government for whose protection they are i'm
periling their lives. But those who perchance
are meanly skulking away from duty in the
hour of trial, or remain at home to breed dis
cord, discourage enlistments and plot mischief
they are the persons whom it is proper to al
low to shape our legislation, and by their ma
neuverings thwart the purpose of the Govern
ment i'll putting down the rebellion. towards,
sneaks and secession sympathizers are good
voters, bat patriot soldiers, and brave defend
ers of the stars and stripes, must not be tlust-
ed at the ballot box.
1t is said it would be dangerous to give sol
ders the privilege of voting But why danger
Gus Are not the men who have enlisted in
this State in the service of their country, as in
tethgent as the average of the voting popula
ton that remain at home We venture to af-
firm that the average of educated men now in
the army from Wisconsin, is greater than the
average at home, subject to military duty. 1t
would be SANDER to say, that the average of
our young men in the army, are not as moral
and possess less Of correct principles than our
young men at home, who from causes no mat
terswhat, have not enlisted Let any one 90
through our principal villages and cities and
note the crowds of pimps and loafers about
the saloons and groggeries, and he will feel per-
suaded that their places of resort have not been
materially depleted by enlistments for the war.
Does not the soldier in the camp, or on the
field of conflict, feel as deeply for the welfare of
his country, and have as intelligent realizatons
of its wants and necessities, as the man at the |
pillow, in the meshanic shop, or behind the me r
chants counter ! The soldier is brought into |
position where he sees and experiences the eff. |
Of IF WI. L
we'll fail ofjudging inteligently of tie political
demands of the present crisis.
But it is said, to extend the right of suffrage |
% soldiers is Objectionable, for the reason that
few designing officers and political leaders,
nay control the votes of large numbers, and
hus the object or the right of suffrage would
'e defeated. Such an argument is dispara-
ring to the brave men who have enlisted in
his State. Every one who knows anything OF
be general character and intelligence of our sol.
iers, Twill pronounce it a base fasehood that they
re capable of being duped, and misled more
han people at home. The chances are vastly
reater that designing Demagogues at home,
ill lead squads of voters to the polls, who are
le mere tools of designing politicians.
The "W.Sconsin," also intimates that there 1
re fearful warnings of history which should {
ater US from allowing the military to have t
dice in civil affairs This is mere fustian t
arallel case cannot be found in the history of v
asst ages; our form of government,the charac- s
n of our institutions, and the composition of y
IT army, are not at all analogous to those y
mere national disasters have resulted from d
ihiary lnterferences in civil affairs The lib a
tues OF people are endangered by the inter fl
renee OF enemies, not by friends. IL
Much Is being said about loyalty and dis Ii
yalty but who suspects disloyalty among IL
If Wisconsin soldiers Among the twenty, fl
We thousand or more, who have gone into the Sc
my, probably not single man can be pointe5 tt
L; our soldiers are loyal to man. But who ra
ubts there are thousands of voters in the
ate, who have declined going to the war, and ;,
40 are disloyal at heart-having no sympathy W