Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-04-23
SHALL THE SOLDIERS voTEr

An interesting question has been raised in many
quarters to the expediency of allowing the SOL
diers of the army to vote in all the elections that
take place In their respective States The topic is
not without its endorsements, for while all must
feel that those whouphod the cause of their country
in the field should have voice in deciding any
questions which concern the welfare of that coun-
ry and of themselves, and while no one is willing
to contest this right, there is admitted to be diff
Guilty in SO adjusting the details of the army suf
frage as not to interfere with duties distinctivey
military rather than civil. The considerations
question--we do not assume that they will govern
the decision actually reached-are concisely and ju
dciously stated by our esteemed contemporary, the
Boston Daily Advertiser, in the following article
sour friends in New York are just now dealing with
the embarrassing question how to enable the soldiers from
that State who absent the field to cast their votes
In the elections at home. bill is before the Legislature
at Albany providing for the casting of the vote
by proxy Governor Seymour initiating in some sort the
course q tne rrsden win references 70 the conscaon
act as is suggested by the New York Commercial Adve
tser has taken the unusual step of sending in hs obec
tons IN advance OF the passage of the BILL pointing out
wherein he deems it unconstitutional and advising tina
preliminary measure Of amendment to the State Con-
stitution Hon Daniel s. Dickinson the Attorney Gene.
raj of New York. has given opinion on the other hand
that no amendment required and thus it probable
that the bill will be offered 10 Governor Seymour for his
signature. All parties agree to the main cues
ton least think it well to profess that
way the vote of the soldiers is TO be obtained Per-
haps we may be justified in saying that the division of par
ties in New York such that both sides the soldiers
vote is felt to be very important prize.
seems to us that Massachusetts, may fectate her.
self on that condition OF her politics which holds no
temptation for struggle Of this In this State one
party does not need the votes of the sbsentees the
other would not be benefited essentially by these votes
they were to be had Nobody has any desire the refore
undertake to throw them into the political scale for in
erest, which IN spite of loud professions probably the
real spring OF most movements Of this Sort want
ing In this State therefore, it is possible look the
original proposition of collecting the of troops the
field without the difficulties which stand in the way of
fair view OF the matter elsewhere
When the scheme thus viewed with reference soalv
to its merits it appears to that it open to objections
which our friends elsewhere in condition to weigh
as they should 1t will hardly be possible suspect to
frame the details Of such as not to open the
door 10 many frauds and receptions Tie actual
of the voter is by no complete security against
such evils; and when 10 the prac ices to which he sub
ected there are added the chances of unfathfuness or
fraud the part of the other agencies necessarily
into action by absentee voting the probability that the pu
rty OF elections will be preserved under such system is
greatly diminished This EVIL has been experienced wa
believe, other States which have undertaken To collect
the votes OF soldiers In those cases the details of the
scheme may have been imperfect but with the best plan that
to be inherent and ineradcabe any sysem Of voting
which does not proceed the actual of the
voter at the place of election.
at no dspsrBgement to the character of our soldiers
to inquire whether they exactly the condition for the
free exercise of their franchise citizens For an honor
able purpose they have voluntarily placed themselves I'M
der the control OF others They longer masters of
their own motions but bound to render an unaueston
ing obedience to others Although their political Judgment
may be pouDd then, will it be possible Tor them t. xer-
else 1t without the suspicion OF influence on the part of
kn 10 81 ~
many cases to escape this nuence If the officer cannot
compel the soldier 10 vote against his judgment may
he not Dy thousand easily imagined expedients not capa
bic OF being reduced to Of actual interference
prevent his voting at ALL wes supposed BY many to be
necessary even IN this Commonwealth few years ago
70 resort 10 extraordinary measures TO prevent undue in
uence over voters Ia the employ Of others Will not the
danger then appehended become and serious and diff
hcult 10 be remeded when the necessarily in such
suiectlon to the will of another private to that of
bis offcerl
"a serious difficulty however as it appears to us
is that arising r, the need discussion to
an intelligent vote. The who are 10 vote must have
tie roper facilities for information and for the exatnps
ton oil both sides the guest presented TO them The
ordinary means OF information the political newspa
pers pamphlets, and speeches But there are very few
we trust who would be willing to the camp made the
scene OF political harangues debates and the passions
turay excited by such means There very few who
would be willing IN the fal best for military
operations to soldiers whe should have but sin
gle thought and purpose, divided by the political debates
which distract us here at home The ncongruity would
be painful the danger papable and yet what escape is
there from this DANGER except 10 have soldiers
orbear voting, or vote IN comparative ignorance of The
issues which they are invited 10 decide by their ballots
Such as IL seems 10 Of the considerations
bearing upon the original questionas to soldiers votes,
which are not likely TO be taken into account in New York
~ matters now stand. IL is we'll for us however at this
distance not to forget the dictates Of political prudence
which circumstances have slenced elsewhere"