The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1863-12-12
Junction Citv, Kansas,
THE RIGHT OF VOLUNTEERS TO VOTE.

THE RIGHT OF VOLUNTEERS TO VOTE.
We published, two weeks ago, an article on
this subject written by Hon. Robert McBrst-
ney for the Leayenworth CJase5ratire and
which, We presume, has been read by most of
the reading men of the State by this time.
We have been aware for some time past that
Mr. McBratney held the view of the Consttu-
ton set forth in the article, and have frequent
ly urged him to make public his conviction
upon the subject, but inasmuch as the weight
Of legal opinion, legislative opinicn Guberna-
torial opinion and newspaper opinion was
committed in favor of the necessity of an
amendment of the Constitution, he was reluct-
ant to do so. The article was finally written
at solicitation, and we confess that we have
marked with no little interest the effect which,
its mastery exposition of the true intent and
meaning Of rather foggy provision of our
State Constitution is having upon public
opinion, so far as such opinion can be gathered
by private conversations of patriotic citizens
and newspaper discussions; and we confess to
no little qualification at the very general ac-
quiescence in the views expressed in the arti-
Gle; and we were beginning to congratulate
ourselves upon the prospect of the passage of a
law, by the incoming Legislature, without Sc
rious opposition, which should remove from
our young State the reproach of DISTINGUISHING
the best and most patriotic portion Of our fell
low-citizens, for no other offence than a mani
festation of the most exalted patriotism which
it is in the power of man to put forth, viz ::
the offer Of their lives in defence of their
country and her institutions. That the views
expressed were unanimously adopted we do not
pretend to say. Copperheads and secession
sympathisers-thos who regard our volunteers
as the g mercenary hirelings of Abe Lincoln, -
and as {. Abolition cut-throats and thieves
the Constitution being proposed, to enable SOL
diers to vote, would vote unanimously against
it, were disgusted and seandalized at the sug-
gestion that ne amendment was needed, and
turned UP their indignant noses in sublime
contempt at the "weak logic" with which the
suggestion was sustained. The opposition of
such men, however, was expected; they con-
stitute of themselves a Nazereth from which
no good or patriotic thing can proceed; and
their hostility in no way disturbed the gratif-
cation which we felt in the general concurrence
of truly patriotic men. 7eE5 .szegt
Under these circumstances we hear Of dis
sent from an influential and undoubtedly pat
riotic quarter, with no little surprise and no
little regret That dissent comes from no less
a parsonage than the Executive of the State,
Governor Carney himself We understand
that whilst at Manhattan last week. he took
occasion to refer to the article of Mr.. McBrat-
ney, to express his concurrence in the
views of the article, and to reitcrate the doc
trine Of his message, that the Constitution
must be amended to enable eur citizen-soldiers
to exercise the elective franchise We were
fully aware of the position taken by his Ex-
cellency last winter upon this subject, but we
trusted that the position had been taken without
much investigation of the subject, to be modified
by reason and reflection. In this, ii seems, we
were mistaken: it seems the position of his
Excelleney was deliberately taken, and will be
maintained by him. In short, that an amend
measure, and viii be urged with all the force
and influence of the Governor. And those
who know Governor Carney, know with what
yigor, energy and ability he urges and enforces
measures upon which he sets his heart. The
knowledge of his potency in matters of this
kind leads us almost to despair of the success
of justice to our volunteers We repeat ou,
regret that this measure of justice has to en-.
counter his opposition; and this regret arises
not from any ''pride of position" which we
feel in the matter, but from the fragrant wrong
to our brave volunteers in the field who are
cheated and defrauded Of their rights. We
can only say that we are satisfed-that we are
fully convinced that our State Constitution in
terposes no barrier to our State Volunteers exer-
-cising the right of suffrage, and whilst we
shall accord to others the right to entertain
such views as may suit them upon the subject,
we shall exert ourselves, editorially and other
wise, to secure, at the next session of the Leg
lature, the passage of an act to enable our
volunteers to vote, wherever they may be.
THE ORGANIZATION OF CONGRESS.
The Federal Congress organized with
little or no difficulty. They ballotted for
Speaker on Monday the 7th inst, with the
following result: Mr.. .Colfax, l0l; Mr..
Coz, AZ; Mr.. King, 81. Mr. Dawson, la
Mr.. Blair, 2; Mr.. Stiles, l. Whole mum
Der Of votes, ls1; necessary for choice,
90" Thn Nlo.E JonI.,oI NJ, No1E.~ 1,,Ic