The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1864-06-30
Shall Our Soldiers be Permitted
to TOtee

81 A special election occurs In this State
on the first Tuesday of August next, I'd
day, to decide as to whether the proposed
amendment to the Constitution giving
soldiers the right to vote shall or shall
not be adopted. 1t is Of vital interest to
the Union cause that this modification of
theS State Constitution be had; but to insure
its success beyond the possibility OF fail
ure, it is essential that every Union voter
begin at once to canvass his district. No
over-confdence IN the supposed favor of
the measure with the masses should be
allowed to shut any mans eyes to the
fact that there is a systematic, organized
plan inaugurated to defeat it. The Cop
Sperheads of the State are insidiously and
industriously at work to prevent the adop-
ton of the proposed amendment. They
are satisfied that if the soldiers are per-
mitted to vote, the intelligent portion
of them will cast their ballots squarely and
znnitedly for The standard bearers of the
Union party. They know they are loyal
to the core, and will have nothing to do
with Copperheadism. Hence, they are
strainipg every nerve, in the dark recesses
of their caucus rooms and ale-houses, 10
marshal their forces in stern opposition to
the measure. they will 60 to the polls,
unless we mistake greatly, and vote to
a man in favor of the disfranchisement of
the men who fight that We may be allowed
to live at home In peace.
: There is no doubt an overwhelming
majority can be secured in favor of the
amendment, if the Union men only go to
work. And why should they not? Is
the citizen, whose conviction of duty and
devotion to his country lead him volunta-
rily to risk his life in its defence, less ca
pa5le on that account of saying who shall
administer the affairs of the government
We think not There is no class of our
population SO we'll qualified to exercise
this valuable franchise as the American
soldier. In our day, "bayonets think"
Our soldiers read They are well versed
in the history and principles of republi-
can form of governments They are deep
ly interested in the politics of the country
Gathered from the best kmilies in the
land intelligent, honest, capable,-the
responsible privilege of the ballot can
safely be entrusted to their hands. 1t is
in keeping with the spirit Of the people
and the genius of our liberal institutions
that there should be no barrier to free
mans exercising all the rights Of a free
map, among the which is the privilege of
voting for his own rulers.
Let the measure be kept before TIE
people. Discuss it--agitate it-make it
the topic of conversation from now until
the day of election. IL must not be De
Jeated, The darkest page in the history
{ of the State would be that which recorded
the gross failure of the people to make
provision toward allowing the brave de-
tenders Of our very existence as a State to
have voice and vote in tie regulation of
the domestic affairs of that State. Our
enemies hope to succeed by our apathy
Let US disappoint them, Let there be an
overwhelming vote cast in its favor, whieh,
while it carries with it moral force to
strengthen the Union cause, will at the
same tine send 4islnay and weakness TO
our enemies