Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-07-20
The sight Of our Soldiers To Vote
The republicans ResPonsibie Tor
sheir not having the Privilege 80
Vote outside OF the state. :.

The eight Of our Soldiers To VOfes
The Republicans Responsibie Tor
their not having the Privilege a.
Vote outside OF the state.
The Republican press are renewing the charge
made year ago, that Democratic legislation de.
feated or prevented our soldiers in the field from
the privilege Of voting. Never was there NOR.
wicked Islander. The Constitution prohibits
The difficulty could have been overcome cry
this by an amendment to the Constitution, pro<
viding for the exigency which was not anticipated
at the time our present Constitution was adopted:
but the facts show that Republican legislation ii.
1861. Republican boiling at the last session or
the Legislature, and a mulish stubbornuess on
the part of Governor MORTON in refusing to asj
semble the Legislature in extra session, was
his duty. have prevented the comforting this priv
ilege upon the soldiers in the field We demon i
strated in article published about year ago,
that the responsibility of the present condition of
affairs rested upon the Republican party. and n
il contains all the facts in the case, We repro :
duce il. A convention of broken down polit
clans assembled in this city about that time who.
assumed the name of War Democrats" and'
-
lowing one
10. That volunteers mpened by convictions Of
totc duty, leave their homes and families for thee
and disc the campaign and the pers
battle and guerTaa warfare, have lost Of their!
rights and privileges feow-c citizens, and every effort
under the Law aud 70 their modification to receive their
votes should be made. and situated they in the
should be potential the best mode aud for Us
suppression and the restoration Of peace.
IL will be observed that this resolution makes
no reference TO our State Constitution. but
speaks of a modification of our laws This ut
ter ignoring of the Constitution Is the most dan
gerous and fatal tendency of the times.
Section II of article 3 OF the Constitution,
after defining ,rhat persons may enjoy the right OF
suffrage. provides they shall be entitled to vote
in the township or precinct where he mag reside
We presume that after the numerous decisions
OF the Republican courts in other States, it will
not be pretended that brave and patriotic
soldiers who are absent from their place Of resi-
dence can be permitted To vote until our Consti-
tuition is amended.
Sections I and Of article 10 read a. follows
ANY amendment or amendments to this Consti-
tuition may be proposed by either branch of the
General Assembly. and ii the same shall be
agreed TO by majority Of the members elected
Go each of the two houses such proposed amend
mcnt or amendments shall. with the yeas and
nays thereon. he entered their journals and
referred To the General Assembly TO be chosen
at the next general election; and if. in the Gen
ersl Assembly next chosen, such proposed
amendment or amendments shall be agreed TO by
a majority of all the members elected To each
house, then il shall be the duty of the General
Assembly 20 submit such amendment amend
ments TO the electors of the State; and il ina
jority of said electors shall ratfy the same. such
amendments amendments shall become part
Of this Constitution.
If two or more amendments shall be submit
sed at the same time. they shall be submitted in
such manner that the electors shall vote for or
against each of such amendments separately:
and rhiis an amendment amendments. ch,ch
shall kase been agreed upon By General Is
ssmbIy, SHALL be rafting the action Of succeeding
General assembly. Of The electors. addition
al amendment amendments shall BE- proposed
The Legislature Of le6l wss largely and in
tensely Republican. During that session three
propositions 10 amend the Constitution we're
agreed to and we're waiting the action of the last
Legislature The first relatei t. ,he right OF
suffrage. aud reads a. follows: Laws may be
passed fixing qualification OF voting the
length OF time during which an eiector shall have
resided in the county and township. precinct or
ward in which he Offers To vote under this Con
stitution.' See Acts OF 1861 p l-5
This proposed amendment contained a restric-
ZION and Limitation and not al extension or en-
largement of the right Of suffrage The other
two propositions related TO the school la~ See
Acls of 1861, p ls6.
These propositions pending before the
last session Of the Legislature A bill was intro
duced To amend the Constitution 80 a 10 permit
the soldier vote. shich WAS referred to the
COMMITTEE on the Jsjeiary. which reported that
inssmuch three propositions 10 amend the
Constitution bad been agreed upon by the pre-
ceding General Assembly and were thea wait
ing The action Of that General Assembly. mo
additional amendment could be entertained.
Upon discussion OF the repor,. quite nun
Der Of Republican lawyers sustained the repor,
OF tie committee The report 81 the committee
sas concurred IN sifhout party vote II va.
therefore. impossible for the last Legislature To
DO anything 20 enable our soldiers 10 vote II
the Republican Legislature Of 1861 had agreed
spon proposition 10 50 amend the Constitution
~ 70 pern, our soldiers who were absent from
their place of residence 10 vote the last Legisla