The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1863-05-09
Gov. Seymour Rebukes the AdmInistratIo
IxrrRrEEEScE IN LOCAL ELECTIONS.

An unconstitutional bill having passed
the New York Assembly, in reference to
elections, i; is vetoed by Governor Seymour.
the concluding partsof whose Message is
as follows:
1t is well said by DR. Liebcr, in his work
on Civil Liberty and Self Government,
that all elections must be superntepded
by election judges and officers, inde eseIt<
ent OF the Executive, or any other organ
lied or unorganized power OF the Govern
ment. The indecency as well as the alb
surdity and immortality Of the Govern
inent recommending what is to be voted
ought never to be permitted.
This bill not only fails to guard against
abuses and frauds, but it offers every in
Gucement and temptation to perpetrate
them by those who are under the imme
late and particular control or the General
Government That Government has not
hesitated to interfere directly with the
local elections, by permitting officers o!
high rank to engage in them, in States OF
which they are not citizens In marked
instances, high and profitable military
commissions have been gwen to those who
have never rendered one day of military
dutv. who have never been upon a Sattle
field, but who have been IN receipt Of
military pay and military honors to sup
port them in their Interference, III be-
half Of the Administi alton, with the cleo
tive franchises OF different sovereign and
loyal States.
Not only have some thus been rewarded
for going beyond the bounds Of military
prspriety, but others and subordinate 9th
GERS have been punished and degraded for
the fair and independent exercise Of their
political rights at their own homes, and IN
the performance OF their civil duties /
call the attention OF the Legislature and
the public to the following order;
WAR DrPAErMESr. ALT. Gems OFFICE }
WAsnlyGToy. March %, lS63.
Special Order No /
Extract >
81 Bv the direction of the President
the following officers are hereby dismissed
the service OF the United States: .
Lieut.. A. J. Edger!ey, Fourth New
Hampshire Volunteers, for circulating
Copperhead tickets, and doing all in his
power to promote the success OF the Rebel
cause In his State.
BY order Of the Secret?ry OF War.
l.. THox,s, Adjt. Gen.
10 the Governor of New hampshire.
regret 10 say that | have ample evi-
/ Gence that this orier was issued IN the
/ terms above recIte1.
I This order, unjust and unworthy in il,
purposes and most offensive IN It's terms,
I Furnishes a citizen aud a soldier for sup
! porting \ candidate for the office of 'iov
! crnor in his own State who received many
/ thousand more of the votes OF Its electors
/ than any other candidate for the station
/ including the one who represented more
/ particularly the views and purposes o.
/ the National Administration. Such act;
are more disastrous to the cause OF oul
! Union than the loss OF the battles -
such violent measures of partisanshiI
1 weak II. divide and distract the people O
the North, at the very moment they are
called upon without distinction OF party
to make vast sacrifices of blood and treas
ure TO uphold :he Government Notwith
standing the notoriety OF these acts, the
bill return throws no guard around the
rights and independence of our soldiers IL
the field An amendment designed l.
protect them against coercion and frau'
was rejected in one branch Of the Leslsla
ture.
! deem it my duty not only to state
these objections 10 the bill as reasons VIII,
| cannGt sign ii, but also to protest In he
half of the people Of this State. against tn
wrongs of which | have spoken, ami 70
the further purpose Of securing such dis
cu-sion in regard to them, when the Con
s,itutiou is amended in pursuance OF tho
/ recommendations have Submitted, tha
the legislation which may be hcreaite
had shall be calculated to secure th'
rights of our citizens and soldiers, and t.
punish every attempt to invade thei
rights by !o-cs or by fraud.
IIogarIo SEYMccr