The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-09-09
MlHteaaneors.
The Army Vote.

pressed by many o. the opposition journals
and speakers, is full Of meaning. The orig
inal opposition to permitting soldiers to
vote,-founded upon doubts as to the mode
in which citizens called away from their
proper domicil by the call of the country
could be constitutionally enabled to fulfil
their civil duties at home,-was well based
and conscientious opposition. The people at
home and the courts at home have oyerridden
that opposition. The people. in every State
where laws have been passed authorizing the
votes of soldiers, have declared, from their
own mouths and without the assistance of
the army voices, that they would run the
risk Of any results OF irregularity, for the
sake Of having a full expression OF the public
will. They wished, and they felt, that they
wanted, for the true embodiment of that
will, the declaration of the will of those who
were serving in the army, us well as those
who were serving at home. They had sulli-
cient confidence in democratic institutions to
feel that they would accommodate themselves
to this new position and trial, and that votes
might be Us honestly and safely collected un-
der the register Of camp, as they had ever
been, without register or tally, in the
crowded booths Of the elective precincts 0!
New York.
The laws FOR the purpose have been made
emphatically under the influence Of the pop
ular will, and they have been so sustained by
judicial decisions that their constitutionality
is not now taken in question. The cus
therefore of, the opposition press now is to
throw doubt upon the integrity of the vote
that is likely to be received from the army.
''Thero is mo doubt, Says one, ,---' scheme
is on foot to carry the army vote for Lincoln,
just as JED. Davis secured the North Caro-
lima rebel army vote for Vance," Qt may
be remarked that the " rebel army" had no
authority to vote at all in North Carolina,
except so far us its members could show
themselves to be voters in the precincts where
they presented themselves. That they used
military coercion, by preventing them.
selves from declaring their real sentiments,
aud standing ready to subject to the conscrip-
tion all loyal men who appeared at the polls,
is no doubt true.) And again, 4" What is
to hinder tho Lincolnites from carrying the
army vote for their candidates, just as they
did the same vote in the last elections in
New Hampshire, Connecticut and other
States?"
To this last question we can answer direct
ly that we do not think any thing can hinder
it. "Just as in the recent elections" the
army vote in the presidential election, will
naturally be in support of the cause for
which the army is suffering and fighting.
There is no need of imagining any outside
organization, any sinister or improper inter-
ference OF the President, his Cabinet, or his
friends, to effect this. The army feels, in Its
whole structure, from head to heel, in every
nerve to the tips of its fingers, that it is doing
and has got to do certain great and noble
work. Ii rests upon the country as its sure
support. but it glows with the consciousness
that the work itself is in its hands. IL has
taken its orders from the country to suppress
this rebellion; it depends upon the country
for its bread and its powder, and it goes on
doing its own duty, confdent,-lct US hope,
that the country is not shrinking under its
feet. When there comes an election in which
the Righteousness OF the war, the purposes
of the war. or even the conduct Of the war
is put in question: II necessary to imag-
inc conoivancc because we find soldiers voting
upon die same ticket with those who are sup
porting their cause?
Those more intelligent and more patriotic
members of the opposition who claim to
support the great principles Of the war. the
suppression of anarchy and the re-cstablish-
mcnt OF the national authority, have also al
ways claimed. and with much truth, that the
ranks OF our armies have been swelled in all
ranks. by members Of all parties, without
distinction of party. ltmus, be humiliating
to such to see the army vote thus distrusted.
Is it possible that so large proportion of
the hosts now in the field in behalf of tho
national honor and the national life, arc
members OF the administration party"
that vote cannot be taken in a regiment
where evciy man is daily seen and registered,
with the same fairness as in town meet.
ing or the jumblc of city ward.room? Can
they charge upon those to whom the whole
country has entrusted the enforcement of its
mos, vital interests. the deliberate trcachery
OF ialsiiyng the expressions of this vote? Is
there reason to look, anywhere, for more
unprcjndiced and more patriotic declaration
of tho will Of citizcn-sovcreigns. upon a great
national question, than is likely to be given
by those who, having Alright to vote at home,
arc in fact passing their lives and periling
their lives in the active service OF their
country? a -.-r-ri ~