Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-04-23

CoaRciox-DENASp FOR CoSsrIrJ TiOSAL
GUARANTEE
To The L<gislafUre:
The question Of method by which those Of
our fellow citizens ~bo absent in the military
and naval service Of the nation may be enabled
10 enjoy Their rights Of suffrage is one OF great
interest To the people Of this Suite. and has just
lv excited their attention. 90 not doubt that
the members Of the Legislature participate in a
general desire That those who 80 notify endure IA
tisue ard suffering and peril lie ~ the hope that
by such sacrifices our National Uni1n may be
preserved aud cur Constitution upheld. shall. if
possible. be secured an Opportunity for the free
aud intelligent exercise OF I'll their political
rights and privileges The Constitution Of this
State requires the electOr 10 vote in the election
district ia which he resides but il is claimed by
some that a law can be passed. whereby the vote
Of an absent citizen NAV be given BY MS author
lied representative Il IS clear 70 me that the
Constitution intends that the right 10 vote shall
only be exercised by the elecior in person II
would be an insult and injury 70 the soldier 10
place the exercise of this right upon doubt
fol or unconstitutional iw, when 1t eau be
readily secured 70 him by a constitutional amend
ment-
While my own opinion upon the point is decid
ed and will govern my action, it IS well to cor
slider the matter under less positive aspect IL
cOncede that u i one ct doubt. we should not
close our ewes 70 the possible results of an at
tempt to exercise it, in view of that doubt which
IS felt by men OF all parties in both branches of
the Legislature and elsewhere 1t II possible
that the mex. Presidential election may be decided
by the vote of single State; and ii votes by
proxy are authorized, IL is not impossible that
such votes would. in such State, decide the cleo
ton in favor ofone party or the other. Ii surely
hp I a m
thoughtful mind the fearful danger which would
attend the complication of the disastrous civil
WAT which now af1cts the country by the inter
position of "A well founded doubt "a ID the person
rightfullv entitled TO the Presidential Office. The
most intense earnestness and the most desperate
determination which have ever marked the con
tlicts OF men would characterize such contest.
The decisions Of the parts officers. the Sc
cret plottings. excited debates and interested
conclusions of the two Houses Of Congress; and
the action more or less violent of the people. at
period when the public mind Is violently in
tanned. and when the principles and rules which
have formed the real strength of our Institutions
are dangerously unsettled. would convulse this
community. That man must be saHguiue in
deed who can hope that our Natioual Govern
ment would survive such contests.
II is not necessary that the effort 10 secure to
our gallant soldiers and seamen just partcipa
the National Government should be subjected To
such dangers A proposed amendment of the
Constitution. giving the Legislature the neediul
power upon this subject can be adopted ut the
D, e>ent session, and if concurred in by the next
| legislature can be submitted to the people in
such season that it their decision is favorable,
the action which would be afterwards necessary,
could be taken by that Legislature. | respect
fully recommend that this course be taken rather
than the passage OF an unconstitutional law, or
one of questionable validity.
Great care should be taken to prevent, by the
most efficient checks. the abuses and frauds to
which the exercise of the right of suffrage by
absentees would he liable These safeguards
would properly be matter of legislation after
the adoption OF constitutional amendment
Measures should he taken for securing perfect in
dependence 10 absent soldiers and seamen in Civ
ing their votes, which shall be so comprehensive
and efficient to relieve any reasonable appre
hension upon this point.
The conduct and policy of high officials have
caused great distrust in relation to the freedom
from restraint ami coercion which should be &C
corded 70 the abseniees i'm the exercise of this
right The people of this State will never con
sent that their absent brethren in the National
service shall be debarred when they discharge
| the most sacred duty OF the ctlzen-irom the en-
| iov ment Of that entire freedom Of opinion which
| they will firmly maintain. 1t would be worse
than mOckery to allow those secluded in camps
or upon ships to vote. if they are not permitted
to receive letters and papers from their friends or
| if they have not the same freedom in reading
public journals As are accorded to their brethren
ut home, 10 aid them in the formation of their
opinions in respect to the conduct Of those in
power the issues to be decided at the election.
and the character OF the opposing candidates.
| 1t the expression OF their opinions by the votes
they give or by customary political action is 10
subject officers 10 dismissal from SERVICE and
soldiers 10 increased prvation. hardship and ex
posure the flames of civil war will be kindled at
the North. have noticed. with deep regret, ut
tempts on the part of some of the officers of the
National Government TO interfere with the free
enjoyment of their political opinions BY persons
| i'm the army There have been mark ed instances
of this kind which nave justly excited deep feel
ing throughout the country These inexcEsable
acts of official tyranny are rendered more obec
tionable by the language used in their execution,
which is at once opprobrions in terms, and a
wanton and unjust attack uron one half Of the
people of sovereign an loyal States While sub
ordinate officers are thus punished for doing their
duty "a citizens their homes. those of high rank
have been employed to interfere in the elections
of States in which they not residents
No reasonable man can suppose that the people
Of this country will permit the noble army. enlist
ell for the purpose of maintaining the National
Government. 10 be used for eectioneering purp0
seS by hose who are charged with the temporary
adm nistration Of the Government, or who are
seeking IN additional term of power | hope
thai the wisdom of those 70 whom the destinies
OF the nation are now coniled by the Consttu
ton, will admonish them IN season of the dangers
of acts marked 10y these features of wrong and
oppression. Whether IL does or not have con
fidence that the wisdom of the people and the
Legislature of this State will he sufficient TO Sc
cure 10 its absent soldiers and seamen the free
dom of political opinion and action which i their
inalien BE right, ana IN that confidence | have
made the recommend above expressed
HORATIo SEYMOUR.