The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-10-28

discharge Of their duty. The oath required is
only calculated to keep legal and rightful vot
ers from the polls. We suggest that no oath
be required but such as prescribed by law.
Our people will not hesitate. however, to take
the usual oath of loyalty, for example, in the
language of the primary clause of the oath in
question: THAT will henceforth support
the Constitution of the United States. and de-
lend 1t against the assaults of its enemies"
Denying Your right to make any departure
from the law in the case, we shall, however,
feel no hardship in this The convention to
which Governor johnson refers was mere
partisan meeting having no authority, and not
representing the loyal men of Tennessee, in
any sense.
The names of the sgners of this protest have
been placed before the people of Tennessee as
candidates for electors, who, if chosen, are eX-
pected to cast the electoral voice of Tennessee
for George B. Mcclellan tor President, and
George Ii. PendletOn for Vice President. By
virtue of such position, it becomes our pro-
vince especially to appear before you in the at
tribute we do. We are aware that grave ques-
tong may arise, in any event, with regard to
the regularity of the vote of Tennessee, in con-
sequence of the partially disorganized condi-
ton of the State. The friends of your re cleo
ton, however, announced an electoral ticket;
and the public became aware that preparations
were being made for the holding of the cleo
ton, leaving that matter no longer question.
Some time thereafter our electoral ticket was
placed before the public. and within a few days
followed the proclamation complained of. We,
for ourselves, and those we represent, are will
ing to leave all questions involving the right
of Tennessee to participate in the election, to
the decision OF competent authority.
VIM. B. CAMPBELL Cf Wilson Co.,
THOS. \. r. NELSON, of Washington Co.,
For the State at large.
JAMES. T P. CARTER. OF Carter Co.,
JOHN WILLIAMS. of Knox Co.,
4. BLIZZARD, of McMinn Co.,
HENRY COOPER, OF Bedford Co.,
BAILIE PEYTON, of Sumner Co,
JOHN LELLYETT, of Davidson, Co.,
EN-. ETHERIDGE, of Weakly Co.,
JOHN D. PERUVIAN, of Shelby Co..
For the Districts.
Commenting upon the foregoing, the
National hateUigencer says:
We beg to submit 10 the President, that the
friends Of Geo. B. Mcclellan, in managing
their side of this contest" have nothing on
which to rely (and they want no more) than
the power of truth. and the weight of his hon.
Orable and patriotic name. But when the
President, with all his physical agencies and
appliances for controlling public opinion, if he
is disposed to use them unfairly, informs US
that he Twill manage his side of the contest in
his way" we beg to suggest that it would be
more reputable and proper for him to leave all
management Of this kind, in the hands of
his "iriends."
If, however, the President proposes to I'M
dertake the management Of this canvass in
his own way" and if the proceeding of Mr..
Andrew johnson, his military subordinate and
political associate on the Republican ticket, is
one of his ways" the people of the United
States cannot know it moment too soon, that
they may take counsel for the preservation of
their liberties, attacked in the very sanctuary
of the nation, when the elective franchise of
free and loyal citizens is put under the dicta-
ton of a President who is candidate for the
popular sutfrages. Justly may the Springfield
Republican say as it does, that neither the Pres
ident nor his military subordinate in Tennessee
has any more right to require an oath against
the Chicago platform than one against the As
sembly's catechism. 1t is to disfranchise every
Democratic voter in the State" And well may
the New York Advertiser add, i" if anything of
the free American spirit be left in the land, that
no party can thrive upon such misdeeds and
the sooner they are repudiated the better for it
and the country. They are feeble but signif-
cant limitations of the established despotisms of
Europe, and offer as little prospect of free
election as that by which the present French
Emperor reached his throne"