New-York daily tribune., 1863-04-16
SHALL SOLDIERS VOTE:
Gov. seymours Extra Message.

To the S,aah
The question Of method by which thoso OF our
fellow citizens who absent in the military aud naval ser
vice Of the nation may b, enabled 10 enjoy ths night Of 'u
age h one great interest to the people this sissead
NJ, u,ty cited their aenon. do not doub, that the
member Of the Legislature participate in the general desire
that tho,e who noby endure fatigue and suffering and
peril R In the hope that By such sserbess Esonsl
Union be preserved and Constitution upheld shall
possible be secured opportunity tor the free and inislh
gent exercise Of ali their political rights and privileges The
this State requrs the esetoI TO vsie in the
election dic, which b. resides bot s ssisd By 'Op.
that Law can be passed whereby the vote Of absent
either may given by his authorized representative II 10
clear TO that the Constitution intends thG the sh
vote shall only be exercised by the in person.
would insult and injury the soldier place the
.rcse Of hi, right upon doubtful OF unconstitutional law
when It be readily secured to him by eonsiitntiopsi
While nv own opinion upon the pon, {, decided and viii
govern acon Il 10 well TO consider tho matter under
ss positive aspect five concede thl, il Of doubt We
should elos to The possible results OF Ai,ep,
all psres both branches Of the Lesurs and elsewhere
i PS,Mb M h, s' nsIt f.saen,sI ;sS.' IN may ,, de-
authorized not impo,ble that such votes would In snea
n ,a;.IS eSSno, be- Necessary 10 Impress upon ssy p..o
hougtfu mind he esrfo danger which would sttsue the
Soanfy' by The inopo,on Ola wsouSd.d doab, !, 70
the per,on ghuly tntsd 10 the Presidential office. The
M
which have naked the eonaets Of would eLsAe
t-Iize such contest
The teci.ions Of arls,n ocsr, tho secret pottns sI
ed debates nd interested conclusions Of the Houses
OF Couges AMI the scon le,s violent OF people
period whau the public mind ia violently inH.meds and
when tho p plss aud rules which have formed tho
or nsth OF intutlons dangerously unsettled Would
eony0le thi eommuliy Thst man must be sanfulHl in.
deed who hope that our National Government would
il Is not nocesry that the effort to secure to our gallant
soldiers and seamn just participation ia the choice OF The
neIt Adnniir4on Of the National Government should be
subjected such dangers proposed amendment Of the
Constitution, giving the Legssture the needfa power upon
this subject adopted at the present session. and con
cured IN by the nett Ltg.lsuIe can be submitted to the
people in such season. that II their decision 10 favorable the
action which would be Aerward necessary could be BY
that Lessa;uo r:peetfn, recommend th.t this course
be taken rather than the passage Of an uneOnations law
oEs. % care 5oSd ,Ss SS @s1 70 ey the efficient
right Of suffrage by abs.nteeS would be liable These safe
guards would properly be matter Of legi,stion after the
Of constitutional amendment Measures should be
takan securing perfect Independence to .bssnt tode
and ssamen In giving their votes which shall be conn
pfshensivs and efficient to relieve any reasonable appre
Tue conduct sod policy Of high Official, have eanssd great
dru in relation to tho freedom from restraint and coercion
which should be accorded to the sbsness In the exercise of
this right. The people o. this State viii consent that
their absent brehren In the national service shall be- ebaed
when they discharge the o .scred duty OF the citizen om
the enjoyment Of that entire freedom Of opinion which they
evs aud which they will firmly maiutain IL would
be than mockery 10 allow those secluded n camp,
pp.n sU c Ss o4 Ssy % .
freedom ia resding public Journals accorded TO ther
home 10 aid them Ia the formation Of their opn
Ions 10 pect the conduct OF those in power the suss
be decided the election and the character the
candidates
the expression Of their opinions by the voice they Give
or the customary political action " 10 subject officers 10 dis
nss. from service and soldiers 10 increased prvon hard
ship and eIposnrs, the flames Of civil win be knded
the North have noticed With deep regret, empts on
the part Of Of hs officers OF tho National Government
Interfere with the free enjoyment Of their political opn.
by in the There have been mark cd
OF this kind which have Justly excited deep
the country These IneIouab. acts OF official
tyranny rendered more Objectionable by the
used IN their execution, which 10 st opprsbous
wsnton and unjust attack upon onehsf the
people Of sovereign and loyal States While subordinate Off
thus punished for doing their duty citizens their
iu election Of States in which they not residents
No reasonable supposs that he people OF this
country will permit the ncbe army enlisted for the purpose
Of maintaining the National Government be uBed for cleo
toneepg purposes by those who charged with tho
poIpTy administration Of that Government who seek
ing additional term Of hopo that the wisdom Of
those 10 whom the desies OF the nation conhded
by the Consultation, will adonsh them ia OF the
dangers of marked by these features Of wrong and
preston. Whether does NOT have confidence that the
wisdom Of the people and the Legislature OF this State viii
be sufficient to TO Its absent soldeis the
freedom Of political opinion aud action which 10 their In.
aienAble right and In that confidence made recon-
mendAtion soovs expressed HORATI0 SEYMOUR |