Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-01-19

never cause you to forget your duty 70 your
country. cool your ardent devotion 20 the Union.
cad you % feel the slightest sympathy Nth
those Who have assailed H. or % seek Ilossbip
With thefa. that do
Major General Dix. When IN command Of
this department AZ the time OF the election IN
lcoi, and when, too. rebellion was backed by IL
organized supporters ia our very midst. took the
true and siatesmanlike view Of the policy proper
Tor such an occasion. When, in directing his Pro
vost Marshal, be said that, whilst there was no
difficulty in controlling Maryland BY force, this
was NOT what Vas wanted. but that We wished 10
control il b. the power OF opinion, and that. 20
satisfy the country thai tie people were our
side. We must leave them so an unbiased ex
preston OF their wishes They were left 10 that
unbiased expression. and such va it. character
that b al supposed that no one would still
quire evidence of their loyalty. General DIX
was even appealed u by some Of the judges Of
election % authorize an oath To voters of doubt
ful loyalty. and although Il appears from the
tenor OF his reply, thai the oath suggested was
nothing more than an oath TO support the Con
stitution. of the United States. he refused to order
il. saving to them. among other things, The
Constitution and laws of MARYLAND provide tor
the elective franchise by regulations with which
| have no right to interfere A copy Of this let.
ter dated November 1t. 1861. and addressed 10
the judges of election district of Carroll
county. Is herewith communicated, and CON-
menied ID yoHr attention.
Had the department commander who issued
the recent order taken the same view of his duty
it would. in nv opinion. have been fortunate
/ conclusion OF his military administration. which
/ had been previously distinguished by marked
ability and success. So far. however, a con-
Germs those more Immediately connected with the
preparation of that order. il will doubtless appear
should its unwritten history ever be published
that the Commtnding General deserved less cen
sure than those who instiested IL. and to whose
influence he probably Welded the more readily "A:
such instigations came partly from our own Cit
liens Such a consideration, however. is by nc
means calculated 70 diminish the danger OF sucl
precedent If men interested in accomplish
ing certain political results by any influence
enlist in their behalf such tremendous instru
meut Of power a. vas here employ ed, 10 election
will probably ever occur IA which the same means
will not be ain attempted
you will perceive. by several of the c0mmu
nicatiOns | have received on this subject, that
have been appealed to 10 withhold commission
or certificates of elections in districts where thes'
abuses were practiced. possess, however, NJ
such power, my duty in the premises being sim
ply 4 ministerial one consequent upon the Oilicia
returns of the judges of election So frequent
" were the applications to me 10 this effect that
deemed il proper subject for legal advice, and
having consulted the Hon Reverdy Johnson, h'
forw Irlel to me a written opinion sustaining th
views had entertained. and copy of which j
herewith furnished
1T becomes you to consi er whether there i
any remedy in your mower 10y which such pro
ceeings may be, inany degree. restrained. Tn
Constitution declares that all elections shall b.
by ballot, and would earnestly recommend tina
YOU secure the benefit of that provision by an ct
fectual prohibition Of all such marks upon tn
ballot as are calculated to expose It's contents o
to distinguish one ballot from another. If, b.
the OF color paper. or other means OF desig
nation, sdch exposure is effected the whole Office
: OF the constitutional requirement Is defeated
Again. if that provision of our law which has s.
long existed and been so universally cOnsidere
OF the safeguards of free elections, whic
fOrbids the mastering of armed troops in tn
: negborhood of the polls, be indeed no longe
admissible or appropriate to our condition.
should be repealed. otherwise you will see tn
prOpriety OF adopting some provision which shall
= ii possible, cause t To- be respected. Ii nigh
! probably be accomplished by requiring the Judge
OF election TO certify in their return that no mil
tary or other armed force had appeared at tn
place of voting. or intertered in the election, an
make such certificate condition to any executiv
| actfon IA