Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-12-11
lfOr the Free Press.
'1I7 'Vs ~
Shall soldiers be allowed TO Vote

The Judges Of our supreme Court will soon
be able to answer this question. The hearts Of
nearly all our People undoubtedly are ready to
give an affirmative response. We all feel that if
any men should he secured in the enjoyment Of
the elective franchise, our soldiers are the men.
They have laid their all upon their country's
altar and should be permitted to use ballots as
well as bullets against the eoInmon enemy They
desire this privilege. A soldier Of the "a Regi-
ment, a gallant boy, in a recent letter, says
Sc 1t viii be as good as a furlough," referring to
the ' bill providing for soldiers voting
The only question to be considered Is. can it
be done without violating the Constitution.
That instrument afiirms That all elections ought
to be free and without corruption; and that all
.freemeu, having sufficient evident common in
terest with, and attachment to the community,
have a right to elect and be elected into office.
aereeably to the regulations made in this Consti-
tuition
II il evident. then, that our fathers intended
TO provide opportunity for all citizens to vote
What are the regulations made in this Con-
stituton''?
Sec. :, Part ID says: &" In order that
the frecmen Of this State might enjoy the
benefit Of election, as equally as may be,
each Town within this State, that consists
or may consist of eighty taxable inhabitants,
within one septennary or seven years next after
the establishing this constitution, may hold elec-
tous therein and choose each two representa-
tives. and each other inhabited town in this
State may in like manner, choose one represent
at,e TO represent them in the general assembly,
lurine the septennary, or seven years. And
after thar, each inhabited town may. in like
manner, hold each election, and choose one re-
preventative forever thereafter"
Subsequent sections provide for the election of
State officers. on the same day that representa-
tives are to be chosen. The design is that all
the ircemen should enjoy the privilege Of voting,
and torns may hold elections therein" 50 that
the '' freemen might enjoy the benefit of electing
as eqaaiiy as may be"
Sec 10 says Sc The freemen Of each town
shall on the day Of election for choosing repre-
sentatiyes to attend the general assembly, bring
in their votes for Governor. with his name fairly
written, TO the constable. who shall seal them
up. and write on them ,votes for Governor
and deliver them to the general assembly"
The requirements Of this section are that the
ffy Of voting for Governor shall be the same as
that on which the representatives are chosen,
and that the frceinen shall bring in their votes
10 the constable The idea Of soldiers voting is
not embraced in this provision. Il remains TO
consider whether there is anything in the eonsti-
tuition, intende 20 exclude such rotiHg, and
whether the Legislature has a right 10 supply the
omissions Of the constitution, when such omis-
sion, DO mo-, affect the rights Of voters in the
town, and 10 not violate the 'pira of the con-
,t.tuuou. | think can show that TIE Legisll-
ture can and does supply such omissions.
O.G.w.