The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1864-03-16
Soldiers Voting.

OH lilt cublNNJOi oOANiNio fNAAhtS1 bNh eNNiAi2
it for granted that, AS Democrats and Re-
publicans alike favor the new proposition,
the decision will be conclVsively for its
adoption, we direct the attention of our
readers to the principle cow ingrafted on
the laws of several States as one of pro-
found Importance. We may indulge the
hope that, since the election is past, no
accusation Of partisan feeling or prejudice
will serve to prevent the effect Of a few
plain truths which we desire to impress
on the minds of thoughtful men who SIN
cerely seek the perpetuation Of free insti-
tutions.
We venture to prophecy that, if our re-
public continues, every one of the States
which has introduced this new principle,
or practice, will repeal the ordinance be-
fore many years, aud that if it is not re-
pealed it will result in the most serious in
jury to the form of government under
which we have been living.
1t is grand error to permit any man
to vote anywhere with musket in
his hand. 1t is a grand error to permit
men, under organized military subsection,
to vote while under the actual restraints
of that subsection. 1t is an error to per-
NIT men to vote who are absent from the
State in which they reside, and therefore
have not access to the means of informa-
ton necessary to make them intelligent
voters.
The purity of an elective system cannot
be preserved if these wrongs be permitted.
We have heretofore directed attention 10
the laws of England, which require the
removal of a garrison from the precincts
of an election in times of peace. The
reasons for this law are plain. They need
no repetition.
Let us carry out the principle of eX-
tending the right to vote, and see what is
necessary to The complete enjoyment of
that right. Should not the soldiers of
the army also have political meetings
where principles can be discussed! Shold
they not have voice in the nomination
of candidates, and send delegates to the
conventions! Should they not be freely
furnished with political pamphlets, news
papers and publications! But can this
be done? Is it possible for it to be &C.
complished? We do not confino our OBJ
jections to vote under the present Adj
ministration. Does any one imagine that
under Democratic Administration, any
one than under the present, the politi-
clans could fail to forbid all possible at
tempts to place the truth before the SOL
diers of an army? In the present case
Democrats and Republicans are alike re-
sponsible for the change. Both parties
favor the soldiers voting. Both parties
have boon led away, by the excitement of
the times, to forget the principles which
in calmor years both will remember.
Nor can VIC fail TO direct attention to
the great power which this privilege Of
voting confers on tho President of the
United States, who is tho commander-in-
chief of the armies. We are bound, in
providing for government, TO consider
such questions. We can not take it for
granted that the President will always be
an honest man. If we could, we might
rejoice in perpetGaLing his power and ten
ure of office. But we have had expert
ence, which all men, of all parties, arc sat
islied with. Who can foreseo the effect
of placing not only tho arms of hall
million of men, but their votes also, un-
der the immediate influence or command
of an INSCRIPTIONS Presidentl Or who
can fail to sec the vast danger that threat
ems the republic if the army, by any
agreement, esprit dc corps, or other cause
should undertake TO control the politics Of
a country. The balance of power vote is
held by the army. Unto this vote and
it becomes a controlling power and rules
the country. Surely ancient and modern
history ought TO have taught us lesson.
against adopting this dangerous principle
We are writing now, not for the purpose
OF affecting a vote, but III pursuance Of
our duty as the conductors of u public
press. We earnestly direct the minds o.
our readers to this subject No more
dangerous innovation has hitherto been
made on republican principles. We shall
have TO undo all this, and before long, il
we would save tho FREQ government We
love. Both political parties have been
guilty Of great wrong in adopting this
new idea and il seems TO US one Of the
most painful events of the time in which
we ike, when Of all shades of political
sentiment unite in placing such danger
Gus provision in the constitution Of repub
lcan Slates.-JourndL Of Commerce,
MARCH, 10Th, 1864.