Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-11-04
THE MARYLAND ELECTION.


There has been slight clash between the
military and civil authorities OF Maryland rel
alive to the election to. day. 1t appears that on
Sunday Major General Sehenck issued an
order relative to the elections containing the
following clause: .s=e#
I. That al Provost Marshals and other Mill
tary Officers do arrest all such persons found
at, or hanging abOnt or approaching any poll
or place OF election on the 4th OF November,
tiers. @.+ --.- "..#
Governor Bradford protested to President
Lincoln against this order, and especially the
foregoing section Of it, and issued a Proclama.
ton, directed to the Judges Of Election.
In this proclamation Gov. Bradford premises
that the majority of the candidates for office at
the election loyal to the State, and therefore
directs the said judges to do as their oath
requires, viz: ssTo permit all persons to vote
who shall offer to poll at the election, &c, who
in their judgment shall, according to the direc.
tons contained in the Constitution and laws, be
entitled to poll at the same election, and not to
permit any person to poll at the same election
who is not in (their) judgment qualified to vote
as aforesaid" They are also directed to use all
the civil power of their respective counties to
20 a a n"t proper rights The
will tend to secure the election OF any disloyal
man.
IN 1eply 70 tnlS pIOcldmaIlOn Gen Schenck
Issued an address to the loyal people of Mary
land, wherein he takes the ground that no dis
loyal man should be allowed to vote at the
election, and explains that his intention was
simply to place sufficient military fore, at
the polls to aid the judges of election if leir
services were required. He says also that his
instructions TO the military were to avoid all
political discussions, and merely to perform
such duty as would pre- vent rebel sympathizers
from voting. Gen. S. disclaims any desire to
prevent any one voter, legally entitled to do SO,
from exercising the election franchise.
Gov. Bradford having brought this matter to
the attention OF President Lincoln, the latter
replied as follows
WAR DEPARTMENT.,
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 1883.
-.,r~.:,:.-- -. aorsrno: It hgzyzera; -.
giving most ssfRest attention. 70 tie "a Ns
matter of it. At my call General Schenck has
attended, and he assures me 1t is almost certain
that violence will be used at some OF the voting
places ON election day, unless prevented by his
Provost Guards. He says that at some of
those places the Union voters will not attend
at all or run ticket unless they have some as
surance OF protection. This makes the Mis-
souri, case OF my action, in regard to which Won
express your approval
The remaining point OF your letter is a pro-
Jest against any person Offering to vote being
put TO any test not found in the laws OF Mary
! emo Inis brings us to difference between
Missouri and Maryland. With the same
reason In both States, Missouri, has, by law,
provided test Tor the voter with reference to
the present rebellion, while Maryland has not
For example, General Trmble, captured fight
ing us at Gettysburg, is, without recanting his
treason, a legal voter by the laws Of Maryland
Even General Schsncks orders admits him to
vote, II he recants upon oath. think that is
cheap enough. My order in Missouri, which
you approve, and General Schenck's orders
here, reach precisely the same end. Each
assures the right Of voting to all loyal mer, and
whether man u loyal, each allows that man
to FIX his own oath.
Your suggestion that nearly all the candi.
dates are loyal do not think quite meets the
case. IN inns struggle for the nations life,
cannot SO confidently rely on those whose
election may have depended upon disloyal
votes. such men, when elected, NAV prove
true, but such votes are given them in the ex.
pectaton that they will prove false Nor do
1 mink tnat 70 keep the peace at the polls, and
ting constitutes just cause of offence to Mary.
lanQ think she has her own examp pie for il
II mistake not, it is precisely what General
DIX did when Your Excellency was elected
governor | revoke the first OF the three
propositions in General Schenck's Order No,
SO, not that it is wrong in principle. but he.
cause the military being, Of necessity excln
siVe judges as to who shall be arrested the
provision Is liable to abuse. For the revoked
part substitute the following:
80 inaa all Provost Marshals and other mill
tary omcefs do prevent all disturbance and
violence at or near the polls, whether offered
oy sucn persons as above described, or by any
o'ner person or persons whatsoever
Inc otner two propositions OF the order al.
low to stand. General Schenck is fully de.
al loyal men may vote and vote for whom thew
please. Your obedient servant,
A. LINCOLN,
President Of the United States.
zen. Scnenck subsequently issued an order
modlned IN accordance with the suggestions
N ho oft h~~r1