Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-03-21
rhe Tenne,see EIec,iop.

The journals-of Nashville concur in holding
up the late election in Tennessee as miserable
sham. This remarkable concurrence itself
speaks damning volumes against the proceed :
ing.
The Nashville Union, in an article entitled
.'Cheating Ourselves" says:
1--WE might as well speak out plainly. and con
fess to the world, that what was called an elec-
ton. Saturday, at least so far rs Nashville is
concerned, was a serious farce And it wouldbe
well it those in authority would observe like
candOr, and thereby save scandal to the govern
ment, or least to this administration Very few
of the original Union men voted at all, for they
had warning in advance that frauds like those
practised by King Isham g. Harris, and his min
ions would be used. They had denounced the
rebel frauds of 1861. and were not willing to
compliment the devil hy adopting his pro
gramme. In public meeting called ''uncondi-
ton Union" it had been announced by the May
or of the city, as reported by city paper in
strong sympathy with him. that Quartermas.
tiers and thes clerks, and all the soldiers aud
Government employees. who had been residents
of the county six months, should. assist in the
election of loyal men Z" As REPORTED by another
paper. Judge Brien, IA gentleman appointed
Criminal Judge by the Military Governor), lent
his legal weight to the new doctrine, by joining
"a
in the county six months-whether soldiers or
eitizens-had right to vote the ticket
"a meeting which ratified the caucus homina
tions, Thursday night. Immediately preceding
the election, appointed committee to ascertain
who entitled to vote at the coming election,
and to instruct The judges accordingly! Did
ever Vigilance Committee assume more author
ity than this meetingg By Friday evening"
Drhl had II
well understood that soldiers and government
military employees would be permitted to vote il
they had been in the county six months. On
being satisfied of this, many citizens who had a
perfect righi.to vote. and were willing TO submit
even to what they reg arded unreasonable and ar
bitriry conditions, to participate in an election
bona fde. declared they could not think of TAX
ing part ir pretence absurd. Self respect
withheld them from the polls"
The Nashville Dispatch, drawing it as mild as
possible. says:
" The election yesterday went off quietly, few
persons being about the polls besides the judges
clerks, Candidates and the committees appointed
to watch traitors Some few persons offered to
vote on the amnesty oath. but. on being refused,
they quietly left the polls. A large number of
soldiers and Government employees voted. the
question generally put TO them being Have
you been here six monthsf' or How long have
you been heref' In most of the wards the oath
prescribed by Governor johnson read to the
voter: in one ward, tie judg eeafter requesting
the voter to hold up his right hand said. Have
you read. or heard read. the oath prescribed by
Governor Johnson, and are you willing 20 sub
scribe to III? Answering in the affirmative, his
vote received Among the voters we're mem
bers of regiments from Indiana. and other States
but chiefly the 18th Michigan, the Invalid Corps,
and inmates of hospitals. Government employees
we're well represented. large Numbers voting in
all the wards, as Tar as our observation permitted
us to Judge We saw only one little disturbance,
and that was at the Jail. between two soldiers.
one Of whom, after qulsreing some time, struck
the other in the face. The fuss soon stopped
by Marshal Steele and Lieut.. Kelly. who happen
ed to be there at the time"
In view of the result thus family confessed by
one of ANDREW JoHxsoN's own organs, the edi-
tor of the Press, Tennesseean who stood firm
against all :ae threats and Establishments of Sc
cessiou. exclaims:
What a commentary The noble and gener
Gus sons of Tennessee for long. long years have
net been permitted to saw whether God or Baal
should rule over them, and when this priceless
privilege is believed to be within their reach,
which they would welcome as blessing from
heaven, this is the result.
Such is the mockery of law and justice and
public decency whereby Mr.. LINCOLN is abolish
ing slavery in the Southern States a mears of
reconstructng the Union. The thing is enough
to make the blood boil and leap In the veins OF
every manly patriot in the land louisville
Journal.