The mountain Democrat., 1863-11-21
InsOIsnt and Arbitrary.

InsOleAt and Arbitrary.
1t is well known, and Lincoln, Chase
& Co. confessed the fact by their action,
that the people Of Maryland are opposed
to the Administration. The late election
in that State was farce, and the Admin
istration carried it by force and fraud -
Soldiers were stationed in the different
precincts, with instructions from the War
Department TO prevent those opposed to
the Administration from voting. Dele
gates were arrested by the military for
attending Democratic Conventions, and
law abiding citizens were arrested for at
tending Democratic meetings and eircula-
ting Democratic tickets. Democratic
Conventions were interfered with and
dispersed and Democratic speakers IN
suited and abused. Mob violence, sane
toned and encouraged by the Admins
tration, confronted the people everywhere
in "loyal Maryland" The Army of the
Potomac was shorn Of its strength, to
elect Abolition Congressman in Maryland.
Promises, money, threats and violence
we're resorted to, to seduce or intimidate
voters. The State was overrun by Abo-
lition emissaries, army contractors, clerks
Of the different Departments, informers,
spies and soldiers, all provided with plen-
ty Of greenbacks and all working for the
nominees of the Administration party
Corrupt tools of the party in power, libe-
rally paid for their services, were officers
Of the election, and allowed non-resdents
to vote. Precincts in which the Admin
istration had no supporters, says the
Frederick Citizen, singular to say, gave
large majorities for the Republicans
many instances polling more votes than
there are residents of the precincts. Cit
izens were deprived of their rights and
driven from the polls at the point of the
bayonet, simply for desiring to vote for
the Democratic candidates. If the elec-
ton had been fairly conducted if the
Democrats had been allowed to vote; if
bands of armed soldiers had been kept
away from the polls, Maryland would
have repudiated and rebuked the Admin
istration by an overwhelming majority
True, the Administration has achieved
victory, but it is a victory dearly pur-
chased-purchased by robbing the people
of their liberties and violating the laws of
a sovereign State. 1t has aroused feel
ing of indignation in every portion of the
State which may break forth with terri
BILE violence at no distant day. II has
weakened, if not destroyed, the Union
sentiment of every lover Of justice, liber-
ty and State pride.
Not content with depriving the Demo-
Gratis Of Maryland of their sacred rights,
the Administration imposed humiliating
conditions upon them. 1t arrested prom
inent gentlemen for participating in NOM
mating conventions, and required them to
subscribe to the following oath, as the
condition of release:
"We, the subscribers, do hereby pledge
ourselves and obligate by this written
agreement that we will not, during the
present rebellion against the government
and authority of the United Statcs or
ganize or assist in the organization of
any party inimical or opposed to the ad
ministration Of said Government" &c.
Is not the above insolent and arbitrary?
Good, true, law abiding American citi-
zens, guilty of no offence, are arrested
without warrant by the minions of the /
Administration, and are required to
pledge their allegiance to the Administra-
tion, not the Government, or be incarce-
rated in loathsome dungeons! How long
will the people submit to such tyranny? !