Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-09-08

Let IA have \ fair and free election by all
means That IL the only way to decide public
questions in a republic II majority of the
people of this country. after free aud open dis
cussion. fairly vote to adopt any given line Of
policy. or to eutrust their affairs into the hands
of any cit zen, that is conclusive for the whole
body polite. Any citizen who resists this Law
full and constitutional verdict u = traitor {" his
country, snd deserves halter
We copy the foregoing from the Indianapolis
Journal OF yesterday for the purpose Of most
hesrtily CT ending the sentiments which it 80
forcibly expresses. free and fair election IL
The only way TO decide public questions in re
publican government. The verdict Of the bslo'
box after free and open discussion should
be regarded By all good citizens As conclusive
aud 'sny citizen who resists this lawful and con
sttutional verdict is traitor to his country, ADD
deserves halter" These are words ftly .poken
in the present condition Of public affairs
As the Journal remarks. we should not only
have free ballot but likewise free discussion
upon all questions OF puolic policy What IS
termed rec ballot is but mockery. il free dis
cussion upon the issues which that ballot Is TO
determine IL not permitted. Is it The purpose Of
the party in power to permit free discussion
shere il has the power to prevent Il! Is free dis
cussion be allowed in Indisnapolisf Will an o.
ponent OF the present Administration be allowed
to publicly canvass the questions OF public policy
Tor which it is responsible without molesia-
ton, Can meeting Of the opponents of the
party in power be held in this city without dis
,urbances Has there been one held in this city
since the Inauguration of Mr.. LINCOLN without
interruption by the sdherents Of the Admini-ira
tions Sone few nights ago an indiscreet person,
a. a meeti0g OF Republicans in the Governor ;
Circle. expressed himself in opposition to the po-
.ition Of the speaker he was Immediately Sd
anceremoniously compelled 20 Leave. aud the
Journal approved the summary proceeding. A
fe. nights after number of Republican roedie-
disturbed the MoCIErIky ratification meeurg
At Nssuic HALL but no, word OF Teprobsiion
y heard from the Journal IN regsrd TO this al
tempt 20 prevent free All open discussion
Every effort Is also made TO prevent the cireula-
ton Of Democratic papers and Democratic docu-
ments among the soldiers. As far possible
su-h reading is shut on, OF the army II is a
cell known fact that Democratic papers are pro
hibised in the camps 10 the neighborhoOd of this
city. aud have been FOR the past three years.
WHY these efforts 10 prevent free and open Dis
cussion Our institutions are BASED upon the
theory that man Is capable % self government
Bat it appears that the leaders Of the party il
po.e are unwilling TO trust the intells gent judg
ment Of the people AM this i. demonstrated bv
tbeir stopping everv avenue of free apd open
Discussion" tbs, tbeY gossib'y can What hum
buxrerv to talk about fair and free election .
when free and open discussion is prohibited
Hive the Republican leaders so little confidence
in the intelligence. integrity and pair otism Of the
soldier ss 10 be unwilling 20 trust bin With the
reading of Democratic newspapers or permit him
10 hear the arguments OF Democratic speskersl
Do they regard the soldier a. mere machine
vito Is to thnk and vote BY dictationf lf"irse
saa ope. discsssion- ]. prohibited how can any