Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-08-17

BIZ order of John W Foster, Colonel CON,
handing. W A PACE. Lieut. and Aljt,
OATH TO BE ? y AT the ELECTION
] do s~olemnly swear that I have not been ia
the service of the so called Confederate States.
IN either a civil or military capacity, or in the
service of the 81 called Provisional Government
Of Kentucky; that | have not given any aid, as
~sistance or comfort % any person in arms against
the United States; and that | have In all things
demeaned myself as a loyal citizen since the he
ginning of the present rebellion. so help me God!
This order was given to the county Judge.
who gave them TO the officers of the election
Soldiers were stationed NJ the polls at must of
the voting places j.. the county. The Wickliffe
ticket was scratched off At most of ihe precincts
hcHenry's name was allowed to remain. but
every man who voted for him was sworn rs
above. At one place the following oath was re-
qured: ~ 1
You do s~olemnly swear that you will support
the Constitution of the United States. the present
Administrations and the enforcement of its laws,
the Constitution OF Kentucky and the enforce
ment nriis laws" in addition to Fosters oath
The writer of this heard the following eonver
sat,on at ne polls hstweena Judge and a voter:
Vufer-I want 10 vote.
Judee-Ar you a loyal manf
VI am. .7H Wr- $500 1L8m1rsruJ 1af
J-In favor of suppressing the rebellion By a
vigorous prosecution OF the warl ss rr
VI am.
jim favor of voting men and money to pros
eeute the wary Eo l7 s-n5' 90
VI am. as ae.af tta arr rs~
Are YOU in favor of supporting the Fed
eral administration aud the enforcement Of its
laws? 800
V,-No, sir; | am opposed to The policy of the
present ADMINISTRATION
Are you willing to take this oath? (hand
ing him Col Fosters oath
Yves, sir; | viii take that oath.
Are you willing 10 take an oath in addi
tion. to support the present Administrator and
the enforcement OF its laws?
V-No. sir; | will not take such an oath.
J--Then. sir, YOU can not vote h ere.
VI viii take any oath prescribed by the
Constitution or laws OF Kentucky. ] onI, want
to cast one vote. and that for Colonel McHenry.
you can't vote here, sir; and so help me
God. no man shall vute here to d,y without he IS
willing to swear that he will support the present
ADMINISTRATION
2iV-Juige. will you please inform us. sir,
where yen get your authority to require surh an
oath as that 10 be administered
THAT'S my business. sir. and If you done
leave here / will 6ne YOU More uofers.
AT OwensbOr0 there are tao places of voting.
Soldiers were placed around the nolls-rhe Wick
life ticket crossed Colonel MvHenry's name
was left upon the pin book by a special act OF
grace. hut every man who voted for him was
sworn at one place by Fosters oath-at another
by the State oath
Hundreds OF voters went TO the election and
did not approach the polls, This county would
have given McHenry 60O majority by a fair vote.
In Mclean county. bv order of the military,
the whole Wickliffe ticket was scratched OFF; also
Colonel McHenry's name at several places.
In Muhlenburg county. General Shsckleford
Col. Mundy, Col Love. with three hundred sol
diers, had supreme control of all the voting places
in the county.
In Henderson county. at one place. the poll
books we're taken possession of by the military,
and the people not allowed 10 vote. Many per
sons who took the oath and voted were sf,erward
arrested by order of Col Foster.
The above are merely Indications of the gen.
e-al run of affairs ON Monday, and. under the cir
cumst'nces. It is the duty OF the people to urge
upon the candidates who we're thus so unconsii-
tuiionall AMI fraudulently defeated to contestlhi
election before the proper tribunals. and lay the
matter upon the archives of the nation, TO the
shame and disgrace of those who induced or in
dorsed this outrage. upon the Constitution. a
strict adherance to which lis the best-itm,y be
the last-hOpe Of popular freedom" The above
Is a quotation from the resolutions Of the Ken.
tuckv Legislature. which ~ as. follows:
"Res0IUed, That our institutions are assaulted
0y an armed reOellOn on one SHE, which can
only be met by the sword. and ON the other by
unconstitutional acts of Congress and startling
usurpations Of power by The Executive. which se
have seen bv experience can be corrected at the
ballot box
AT the recent election the people ''have seen
by experience that startling uSurpations of power
by the Executive cannot be corrected At the bal
lot box" Now. the question arises in the mind
of every intelligent man-SuppOSe this same
game is played next year in the election of Presi
dent. what in heavens name are we to do?
Here have we seen LOYAL men. lovers of the
Constitution and the Union. driven away from
the polls, insulted and arrested for desiring to
exercise constitutional right; and vet those very
men are to be taxed and conscripfed into the
army to fight for a Government which deBies
them their constitutional rights.
Yours, CONSTITUTIONAL