Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1863-08-29

lsltutl"iS, the ihui''latc sihciu VI FOpuial
rights, are set aside and disregarded a,
though they had never been
In the midst OF this fearful revolntior
we welcome with patriotic 10y the indica
tons daily appearing around US that the
people are arousing themselves to clesi
perception of the dangers which stare
them in the face. There is right, fun
dsmental in American freedom, which is
now imperiled beyond the doubt of the
most con6ding eitizen--s right whose
Surrender involves the perfect enslayement
OF the masses The right of suffrage. I'M
awed and untrammeled, is as precious to
the American as his own personal honor;
and yet that right is endangered by the
unscrupulous usurpers in power. In Mis-
souri, in Maryland aud in Kentucky, this
highest privilege of freemen has been
seized by the death-like grasp Of Federal
usurpatOn, and the ballot has been crushed
by the bayonet. These States are sad
warning to every other loyal common
wealth in which elections are soon to oc.
eur The now dominant party, resolved
upon their own perpetuatiGn, have deter
mined to wield their immense military
suength-thei unlimited public patron.
age against the free expression Of great
people, who look with indignation upon
their fatal abuses, and who are eager to
displace them from power The AbolI-
ton party, wherever they can safely exer-
else their tyranny, will embarrass the bal
lot by military interference. Such is their
programme.
To constitute fair election by the peo-
Pile. let us see what terms are necessary.
FRANoIs LIEBER, distinguished writer, in
this country, on civil liberty. has set forth
the conditions in one of his works, in the
following Just and clear manner:
An election can have no value whatever
The question must have been fairly before
the people, for period sufficiently long to
discuss the matter thoroughly, under circum-
stances To allow discussion \
The liber!y Of the press, therefore, IA condi-
lion sine qua h0H. 10 is
especially necessary that the army be in ahey
snes, as il were, with reference TO all sub
jects and movements uppertaning TO the
question al issns The English law requires
the removal Of the garrison from every place
where II common election tor parliament ia
gdig an All elettions
must be superntended by election iadees and
officers, independent OF the Executive, or any
other organized or nncrganiged power Of the
government The ndecency ss we'll rs the
absurdity and immortality Of the gosernment
recommending what is 10 be voted onght
never lobe permitted -
II any one Of these conditions he omitted the
whole election for voting is sSitialed
sneh are the terms. andwe desire every
reader TO treasure them in his heart.
Ere long the people of Ohio will enter
upon the most important election that
ever occurred in the State The question
has been repeatedly asked, not only in our
own midst. bnt throughout the country,
l"Will there be a free election allowed 2"
This question so significant. has been sug-
gestea by Federal interference with the
ballot in certain other States, Every citi-
zen of Ohio. and every Democrat espe-
cially, is profoundly Interested in this mat
ter We say every Democrat, especially,
because il the blow shall be struck it will
be aaned.st the Democracy. Ii is. fellow
Democrats, our own lofty standard that
the party now in power wonld teal down
and trample in the dust by ahatever
means their own wickedness could sug 3est.
We may not answer the above question
fully. There is an answer. however. that
may be given If such interference with
our election be attempted woe, woe will
betide those who seek to make it good!
We are freemen now we will continue
free, or die in the moment of enslave-
ment The Federal Administration can
have peace in Ohio, if its policy toward
her people be peace Let the National
Executive, however. bear in mind that he
has brave, determined people to deal
with. .... .-r ..rr-