The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-29

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upon any patriotic, thoughtful mind the
fearful danger which would attend the
complication of the disastrous civil war
which now affiicts the country BY the in
terposition, of well founded doubt as to
the person rightfully entitled to the Pres
idential Office The most intense earnest
ness and the most desperate determination
which have ever marked the conflicts of
men, would characterize such contest.
The decisions of partisan officers, the
secret plottings, excited debates, and in
terested conclusions Of the two Houses of
Congress-; and the action, more or less vio-
lent, of the people, Mt a speriod7When the
public mind is violently infamed and
when the principles and rules which have
formed the real strength of our institutions
are dangerously unsettled, would conyulse
this community. That man must be SAM
guine indeed who can hope that our Ma
tional Government would survive such
contests. s.
n 1t is not necessary. that the effort, to se-
cure to our gallant soldiers, and seamen
a just participation in the choice Of the
next administration of the National Gov
ernment should be subjected to snch
dangers. A proposed amendment of the
Consultation, giving, the Legislature the
needful power upon this subject, can be
adopted at the present session, and ifcon-
Cured in blythe next Legislature,can be
submitted to the people in such season,
that, if their decision is. favorable, the ac-
tion which would be .afterward necessary,
lcould be taken by that Legislature. /
be taken rather than the passage of an
unconstitutional law, or one of questiona-
bic validity.
Great care should be taken to prevent,
by the most efficient checks, tho abuses
and frauds to which the exercise of the
right Of suffrage by absentees would be
liable. These safeguards would properly
be a matter of Legislation after the adopt
lion ofa OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. Meas
ures should be taken for securing perfect
independence to absent soldiers and sea-
fmen in giving their votes, which shall be
SO comprehensive and Efficient as to relieve
any reasonable apprehension upon this
point. F sss hrs
i The conduct and policy of high officials
have caused great distrust in relation to
the freedom from restraint and coercion
which should be accorded to the absentees
in the exercise of this right. The people
of this State will never consent that thei,
t absent brethren in the national. servics
, shall be debarred, when they discharge
t the most sacred duty of the citizen, from
e the enjoyment of that entire freedom o.
i opinion which they have, by an emphati,
/ expression at the ballot box, secured fo
t themselves, and which they will frml,
] maintain. 1t would be, worse than
r mockery to allow those secluded in camps
g or upon ships to vote, if they are no
Y permitted to receive letters and paper
f from their friends, or if they have not th,
e same freedom in reading public journal
i accorded to their brethren at home to al,
t them in the formation of their opinions il
e respect to the conduct of those in power
d the issues, to be decided at the election
It and the character Of the opposing candi
g dates 1s.'aiaf5t - .H'ss.za7 tzai57aa's
+ IF the expression of their opinions b
e the votes they give orby customary poll
IS tical action is to subject the officers to dis
e nissal from service and soldiers to increas
IS led privation, hardship, and exposure. th
flames of civil war will be kindled att
North. have noticed, with deep regre
8, attempts, on the part some Of the.oficel
le Of the national Government to interior
with the free enjoyment Of their polite,
opinions by persons in the army. Thel
, have been marked instances of this kin
" which have justly excited deep, feelin
throughout the country. These inexcns,
: BILE acts of official tyranny are .rendere
> more Objectionable by the Language. uss
= in their execution, which is. at once. o.
4. probrious in terms and a wanton and uniu
attack upon one half of the people of so
= ereign and loyal States. While subord
nate officers are thus punished for doir
Sc their duty as citizens at their homes, tho
IN of,high rank have been employed to ipte
On fere in the elections Of States in whit
o. ol they are . not residents. l,ss sal
aJ No reasonable man can suppose th
81 81 the people of this country will permit Il
~ ~ noble army, enlisted for the purpose
~ maintaining the National Government,
J s be used for electioneering, purposes 1
e eu those who are charged with the tempora
u, ~ administration of that Government, or u
W ~ are seeking an additional term of pow,
- :, hope that the wisdom Of thosett6 who
Ie !: the .destiuies, of the natien} are now con
!. !" ded by the. Constitution, will admoni
'n them in season of the dangers of acts m,
'UI ked by these features or wrong and oppr,
on sion. Whether it does or not, have CO
'as 6dence that the wisdom of the people a
=: " the Legislature of this State will be SUI
hls cient to secure to its absent soldiers a
I ~ seamen the freedom of political opini
'hs hs and action, which istheir inalienable rig
oy and lin that confidence / have made
an fscommedation aboss expressed.hi iv
W si9e4 asaso sd HORATIO SEKbfOU
lutI oFi3 boas 81 81 al4Eii ii sa4al4sat
be l3gisds a 7-777 ID = e- lad a., s,sl
nal si1 THE LOST AkEY.saa.
!! etsg'aJ estsi IS STTr-H- 2ob sas IIiE
'l9t iAs'Myg dear PAilliAaah you seen
Is portemonnaieY ~ YF.ck9.
ess vi Mr., tWaher's sbrow contracted sligh
t is at the words, and be. drew Away tbe1h,
yes vhich had bean curesain m O. hsa uifa'u :, rc