Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-11-19
The President and the MARYLAND Election,


A letter is published from President LIN
! COLIN in reply to protest of Governor BRAD
FORD against an order Of General SCHEScK,
directing troops to be stationed at the polls
on election day. The President says:
WAR DEPARTMENT, WAsHNGTos,l
November =, 1868.
6 To His Ezeelle,acy, A. " Bradford, of Ia
ryiond:
IR:-Iours of the 3lst ultimO, was re-
celved yesterday about noon, and since then
L nave been giving most earnest attention 10
the subject matter of it. At my call General
ochenck has attended, and he assures me it
Is almost certain that violence will be used at
some OF the voting places on election dav
unless prevented by his Provost Guards. He
says that at some of those places the Union
voters will not attend at all or run a ticket
unless they have some assurance of protec-
ton. This makes the Missouri case of my
action IN regard to which you express YOUR
approval.
THE remaining point of your letter is a
protest against any person offering to vote
being put to any test not found in the laws of
Maryland. This brings Us to difference be-
tween Missouri and Maryland. With the
same reason in both states, Missouri has by
law provided test for the voter with refer
ence to the present rebellion while Maryland
has not. For example, General Trimble, cap
tured fighting Us at Gettysburg, is, without
recanting his treason, legal voter BY the
laws of Maryland. Even General Schenck' 5
order admits him to vote, if he recants upon
oath. think that is cheap enough Ny Or
der in Missouri, which you approve, and Gen
eral Schenck's order here, reach precisely
the same end. Each assures the right of
voting to all loyal men, and whether man is
loyal each allows that man to fix by his own
oath. Your suggestion that nearly all the
candidates are loyal l do not think quite
meets the case. In this struggle for the ma
tons life ! cannot so confidently rely on
those whose election may have depended up
on disloyal votes. Such men when electe d
may prove true, but such votes are given
them in the expectation that they
will prove false. Nor do | think
that to keep the peace at the polls, and to
prevent the persistently disloyal from voting.
constitutes just cause of offence to Maryland
L think she has her own example for it. If I
mistake not, it is precisely what General Dix
did when your Excellency was elected Cover
nor. | revoke the first of the three prop Isl
tons in General Schenck's General Order No.
53--not that it is wrong in principle, but be-
cause the military being of nccessity cxclu,
sive judges as to who shall be arrested, the
provision is liable to abuse. For the revoked
part l substitute the following:
"'That all Provost Marshals and other
military officers do prevent all disturbance
and violence at or about the polls, whether
offered by such persons as above described
or by any other person or persons whatsoever.
"The other two propositions of the order
| allow to stand. General Schenck is fullI
determined, and has my strict order besides,
that all loyal men may vote, and vote for
whom they please.
Your obedient servant, A. LINCOLN,
"President Of the United States"