The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1864-11-09


saline the act. Ifthare Be sufficient power
in the citizens present at any place where
such interference NAV be attempted 10 ar
( rest the offenders, and hold them over to an
i sweF to the violated laws, will be the-duty
] Of the sheriff to make the arrest in such
ease. lie has authority 10 require the aid OF
every citizen, and it should he readily and
PROMPTLY gwen in defense OF a common
! nght-of a blood bought franchise. If the
! force employed to Interfere with the elcc-
| ton be too great, at any place Of voting to
| he arrested, the officers of the election, in
such cases should adjourn, and not proceed
with the election. Ii you are unable to
hold a free election, your duty is to hold
! none at all, bat adjourn, and report the Of
, Tenders to the next grand jury of your coun-
| ~ for Indictment and punishment, This is
I. the lawful mode of meeting unlawful at
tempts tn disturp the freedom of elections
! The lava regulating elections prescribe all
I the duties of the officers, atd all the quail
fca:ions and tests of the voter. Observe
those rules, and none other. Mono others
| are Of authority or binding.
The only difference made in the rules gsy-
eTning this election and other elections, is in
| the privilege given to the Kentucky soldier
at this election, whether in the State or Fed
eral service, of voting, if he be a legal voter
Of the State, at any precinct he may be at
in the State; and if out Of the State, of vo-
ting at his camp. Poll books and instruc-
tions have been prepared and sent to all the
regiments outside Of the State.
The portion of the act approved February
%, 1863, which relates to the soldiers voting
in the State, is in the following words viz:
"That all qualified voters ofthe State, who
shall be in the military service OF the United
States or of this State, either within this
State Or without the same on the day of the
next Presidential election, shall be entitled
to exercisothe right OF suffrage at the cleo
ton to be held pursuant to law, on Tuesday
next, after the first Monday in November
next, for the election of electorsssof President
| and Vice President of the United States
at any voting precinct in this State, whether
resident therein or not"
The act approved May II, 1862" amend
ing the law OF expatrlation, embodied in my
proclamation to the officers, etc, Of election,
Of July %, 1864, should be strictly aud faith
| fully enforced according TO its own proyis-
ions
10 protect the elective franchise, and pre-
serve free election, the officers must look
to the laws regulating elections, adopt the
rules, and apply the tests therein preScri-
bed, and permit none others to be imposed,
There being no power or authority in the
Federal or State governments to authorize
military interference with elections, it fol-
lows as consequence. that any such inter
ference, under any pretence whatever, must
be wanton violation of the law, and places
the perpetrators in rebellious contumacy to
the government. To support and viudicate
the laws and maintain and defend the rights
sacred to free government, is the duty Of
every good citizen Should your fears of
unlawful interference Of military forces be
realized in any county, or at any precinct,
pursue the legal modes of meeting it but
do not blame your government for lawless
acts of our soldiery. Let the blame rest on
those who have power but who fail to con-
! troll and prevent it,
The constitution and laws, the genius and
spirit Of our free government, alike opposed
and condemn such acts. Because the law of
our government condemns and Furnishes un-
lawful interference with the freedom of cleo
tons, we should the more firmly stand by
and maintain it. Our laws do not condemn
robbery more than they condemn an unlaw-
full interference with elections.
Not one would think of turning against the
Government because he had been assailcd
and plundered by the robber Upon the
contrary, he would resist the robber to the
utmost Of his power-overcome him If able,
and appeal him to the laws for punishment
The right to have free election has the
| highest sanctions of our Government; and
authority comet be given to disturb its free
| dom. The assumptions Of such power, there
| fore, by any person, whether in civil or mil
itary authority, State or Federal, will be but
the assumption Of the bandit and rQbbcr-
that might is right-and should be met by a
brave and manly opposition and a loyal en-
forcement Of the laws of our Government.
By observing the rules prescribed by law
as your only rule of duty, we will have
what We have right to havc-''a free cleo
| ton.
10 the citizens will add, it is your duty
each and all, to stand together III maintain
ing and defending this right, sacred to the
free Government, whenever and wheresoey-
er and by whomsoever assailed. No matter
! how widely you may differ in views OF policy
or choice of candidates, you have a common
and undivided interest in maintaining and
defending for all and for each the freedom
! Of elections. Divide as you please in your
choice Of candidates--this is your right
but stand together to the utmost extremity
in maintaining and defending this right,
common to all, the security Of all, and the
privilege of each. I trust there may not be
any such efforts to interfere with the elections
as many apprehepd but ! know that the
people have the power to have free cleo
ton if they have the will, and will stand to.
gother in defense of their right The peo.
pie of Kentucky are w,abiding, loyal, and
much enduring people, and will ever be found
struggling to maintain and defend the SUI
premacy of the Constitution and to preserve
the Union, with all the dignity, equality, and
rights of the several States unimpaired,
but will not accept military despatism as 6
substitute for constitutional government.
To the pcople-whose right it is to have
lis intrusted the defense and protection Q.
the purity and freedom of the election. Ny
faith does not fa'ter nor mind doubt as t
the issue. "All elections snail be free ant
equal, is the mantate OF the Constitution
and the fat of the people.
THOS. e. BRAMLETTE,
. Governor OF Kentucky.