Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-08-21
Soldiers OF the Republic. Behold
how they love you! i

Daily, per snnum, 90.
Soldiers of the Republic. Behold
how they love you! M
On the sth of July, a Convention, called as
Democratic, assembled at Des Moines. That
Convention was composed of two factions,
one of which was bold, open, honest and
avowed advocates of an immediate and uncon-
ditional cessation of hostihties and peace with
rebels upon generous, magnanimous terms"
These were in favor of nominating men who
represented their ideas, and making plat
form that honestly declared what they meant.
The other class, while desiring the same ends
sought to be attained by the other, were po-
litieal demagoSues and men of mere expedien-
cy. All they wanted was a candidate that
would win, without regard to platform. The
latter class, on the nomination for Governor,
were found to be three in the majority, and
nominated General j. NJ. Tuttle, because it
was expedient. The first class so.emnly pro-
tested and declared that it would be strange
ly inconsistent to oppose the war; and nomi-
nate war man for Governor. After an an
cry quarrel. TIE open, bold coppers became
the victors, and declared that they pre-
ferred defeat upon fair open fight, than sue
cess upon fraud and eption-shoyed Tut
tie out, and brought Fisher in. Fisher de-
chned, and the ate Central Committee has
placed Tuttle in the field, occupying, as the
standard bearer of his party the following po-
sition towards those he has led in the sterner
and fiercer contests Of the bloo!y field. We
invite for the following facts the attention of
every soldier who thinks he has not lost his
political rights by rallying at his country's
call:
At the session Of the Legislature in the win
ter Of 1862, law was passed extending
the right of suffrage to persons in the U. S.
army from this State without scarcely any
opposite on One of the warmest advocates of
the bill in the House was H. NJ. Martin, of
Iowa county. In the ensuing Summer the
same Martin was the Demec' attic cand date
for Congress in the +th District, against J.
B. Grinnell. On the home vote Mr.. Martin
was elected The soldiers vote, however,
changed the result, and elected Mr. Grinnen
Thereupon Mr. Martin, who had abored hard
while in the Legislature to perfect the law,
and who had never yet breathed suspicion
that it was unconstitutional, but voted for it
on its passage, discovered, that because the
soldiers could not and did not vote for him,
the law was unconstitutional, and noti-
fed Mr. Grinnel Of his intention to contest
his right to seat in Congress. This proceed
ing was signal for general outcry from the
rebel organs in Iowa, and demand for the
courts to set the soldiers vote aside, because
unconstitutional.
That we do not mlsreprescnt the fac's, we
quote from the Muscatine Courier, a paper
in the interests of TIE rebellion, while pro-
Tossing to be Democratic, as being sample
only of what has been said about soldiers vot-
ing On Tuesday, July IA, the Courier said :
"Every State court which has passed up
on this matter agree III the opinion, that a
con stituton similar to that Of Iowa do2s not
permit their citizens to vote except at the
regular voting precincts. THERE ARE so MA
NY ADMIRABLE REASONS FOR THIS CONCLUSION,
that the day is not very far distant when peo-
pie will be unwilling to believe that the pro-
ject was ever seriously contemplated. :
The act allowing the soldiers to vote is g-
gantic scheme to rob not only the soldiers,
BUT THE CIVILIANS, of the elective franchze.
The soldiers have never asked for the right
to vote for State and county officers, AND
PREME COURT OF THIS STATE DECLARES THE
s,LDIERs' VOTE REPUGNANT TO THE PROVISIONS
OF THE CONSTITUTION
That was what he said, but meant this
that the act allowing soldiers to vote was a
gigantic scheme to rob the copperhead rebe'-
sympathizers of majority vote, and that the
soldiers vote is repugnant to the copperhead
desire for success at the polls. &
On the sth day of July, six days previous
to the foregoing, the Democratic State Con-
venton said of the Lincoln hirelngs and
mnions:"
"That the soldiers composing our armies
merit the warmest thanks of the nation
Their country called, and nobly did they res
pond. Living they shall know nation s
gratitude, wounded a nations care, and dy-
ing, they shall live in our memories, and mon
uments shall be raised to teach poster;ty to
honor the patriots and heroes who offered
their lives at their country's altar. Their
widows aud orphans shall be adopted by the
nation, to be watched over and cared for as
objects truly worthy Of nations guardian
ship"
A very good sentiment, but uttered in dew
ilish mockery and most indecent hypocrisy
as we shall show in future numbers.
The same Convention elected a State Cen
trail Committee, of which that malignant
hater of the Federal Union and sympathize1
with rebellion, EeGrand Byington, of Iowa
City is Chairman. A few days since, the sale
Committee addressed private circular to the
Chairman of the county committee of eact
county in the State. From that circular W.
publish the following: per
" "Resoived, 2, To ascertain from depart
ment commanders what rights will be guar
snteed to us as party in regard to the sol
diers vote, and if impartialiey is assured, ia
take measures to obtain fail election If pos.
sible, SAVING THE QUESTION OF THE uNcoNsTI.
TUTIoNALITY OF THE LAW" ''i ta ne-
That is to say, gentlemen of the County
Committee, strain every nerve, use every en-
deavor, work early and late, to secure the sol
diers' vote, and if your efforts are crowned
with success, and the soldiers give the cop
perhead ticket majority, we will raise nj
question touching the law, but to cover al
contingencies we will save or reserve tn
question touching its constitutionality. No
tuo xrool.s a;..ao mo ca;d C lot fho roldior