The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1863-04-30
er than the passage of an unconstitutional

Great care should be taken to prevent,
by the most efficient checks, the abuse
and frauds to which the exercise of the
right of suffrage By absentees would be
liable. These safeguards would properly
be matter oflegislstion after the adop-
ton of 4 constitutional amendment. Meas
ures should be taken for securing perfect
independence to absent soldiers and sea-
men In giving their votes, which shall be
so comprehensive and efficient as TO relieve
any reasonable apprehension upon this
point.
The copduct and policy of high officials
have caused great distrust in relation to
the freedom from restraint aud coercion
which should be accorded to the absentees
in the exercise of this right. The people
Of this Safe will never consen. that their
absent brethren III The National service
shall be debarreG, when they dischsl &c
The most sacred duty of tho citizen from
the EMO ment Of that entire freedom Of
opinion which they will firmly maintain.
Il would be worse THAI mockery to al
low those secluded in camps or upon ships
to vote. If they are not permitted 10 re-
ceive letters aud papers from their friends,
or il they have not the same freedom in
reading public journals as are accorded t.
their brethren at home, To aid them in the
formai ton of their opinions in respect to
the conduct of those in power. the issues
TO be decided at the election. and the char
actsr Of the opposing candidates.
If tho expression Of their opinions by
the votes they give or by customary pc
litical action is to subject officers to dis
missal from service, and soldiers to in
creased privation, harship. and exposure,
the frames of civil war will be kindlsd at
the North. | have noticed, with deep re
greet, attempts on tho part of some Of the
officers of the National Government 10 in.
tertere with the free enjoyment Of their
political opinions by persons in the army.
! There have been marked instar ces Of this
kind which have justly excited deep feel
| ing throughout the country. These mex
cnsabe acts Of official tyranny are rem
dered more Objectionable by the language
used in their execution, which is at once
opproprous in terms. and wan;on and
unjust attack upon one half OF the people
of sovereign All loyal States. While sub
ordinate officers are thus punished for do
ing their du,y as citizens at their homes,
those of high rank have been employed Ia
interfere 10 he elections of States in which
they are not residents.
No reasonable man can suppose that
the people Of this country will permit the
noble army. enlisted for The purpose Of
maintaining the National Government. to
DC used for cleciioneerng purposes by
those who are charged sish the temporary
administration Of this Government, or who
are seeking an additional term OF power
, | hope tina: the wisdom Of those to who m
the destinies of The nation are now conf
dcd by the institution, vii admonish
them in season of the dangers Of acts
marked by these features Of wrong and
oppression. Whether it does or not,
have confidence that the Weldon of the
people and the Legislature Of this STATE
will be sufficient 10 secure 70 its absent
soldiers and scamon the freedom Of politi
cal opinion and action which il their in.
slienablc right. and in that confidence
have male thc accommodation above ex.
pressed.