Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-10-07
The Regulations for taking fht Army
Vote

vote.
Votes have been polled by the soldiers
from 1851 to 1864, inclusive. Nine or ten
states and one territory have allowed their
citizen-soldiers to vote Ia no single in
stance have they been allowed to vote by
8 Democratic or anti-Lincoln Majority.
Nor have the soldiers in any instance ever
cast a vote for Democratic candidate. In
the first year of the war one third of the
soldiers ballots were Democratic Last
year bnt one fifth, and this year the ratio
is still less. In no case have soldiers com
planned that they were not allowed to vote
as they chose. 1t is true She Copperheads
complained that the army vote was not a
fair test, but that they would do SO no
matter how fairly the vote was taken.
The vote TO be taken at the en-
suing State and National elections
by the army, will prove that, instead of
large Democratic gains, the soldiers who
entered the service as Democrats in the
beginning have generally been converted
from their Democratic faith and made the
strongest Union men, and have even be-
come q HAbolitionists." The regulations for
taking this vote have been made with a
view to obtaining fair expression of the
views of the soldiers. 1t is provided in the
first place that I" one agent for each army
corps may be designated by the State
Executive, or by the State Committee Of
each political party, who, on presenting his
credentials from the State Executive, or
the Chairman Of said committee, shall re-
ceive from this department pass to the
headquarters of the corps for which he is
designated with tickets, or proxies when
required by State laws, which may be
placed by him in the hands of such person
or persons as he may select for distribution
among officers and soldiers"
This must prove eminently satisfactory
to all parties. In the next place acivilian
inspectors of each political party, not to
exceed ons for each brigade, may in like
manner be designated, who shall receive
passes on application to the Adiutant Gen
eral, to be present on the day Of the cleo
tion to see that the elections are fairly con-
Quoted"
No political hsrangues are to be per-
mitted by the various agents, as the troops
are to be left to an unprejudiced judgment
in the matter.
Commanders are enjoined to make
such regulations as are necessary, ana
to see that the elections are fairly conduct
ed. This will make the election entirely
fair. No political speeches are to be
presented. Commanding officers are also
enjoined to take such precautions as will
ensure both freedom and 6irness in the
choice. And in addition to this, it is pro-
vided that any officer or private who may |
wantOnly destroy tickets or prevent their
proper distribution among the legal voters,
interfere with the freedom of the election,
or make any false or fraudulent return,
win be deemed guilty of an offence against
good order and military discipline, and be
punished by summary dismissal or court
martial.
These regulations are such that they
esn De no just complaint made against
them The Copperheads will be allowed
to hear again from the soldiers. They will
then conclude that the army has very
little sympathy with them.