Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-07-20

ture could have agreed to IT, aud the people could
have ratified !, las, April and then our soldiers
could have voted next fall. The Republican
members OF the Legislature Of 1861. and no, the
Democratic members Of the last Legislature. are
responsible for our soldiers not having the right
to vote While we are on this subject may
a. well refer to some decisions that have recently
been made a. to me right OF soldier who are
absent from their homes 10 vote.
Ia toe State Of Maryland the soldiers who
were outside of the State were permitted to vote
The person defeated contested the election for
that cause The case went TO the Supreme
Court, which held that the term residence. in
the Constitution i the same a domcil-a word
which means the plsce where a man establishes
his abode. makes the seat Of his property and ex-
ereises his civil aud political rights, AMI that the
right Of the soldier to vote under the Constitu-
ton Is in the district where he resided at the time
Of entering the military service"
The same question came before the Supreme
Court Of Connecticut, which held - follows:
These provisions Of the Constitution. together
With numerous other incidental and accessory
provisions in The same instrument, clearly indi-
eating an unquestionsble purpose. 10 those who
framed A. we'll a. in those who sdouted that in
strument, TO require electors to vote only within
the several towns where they have their resi-
dence and at the time and place within sucl
towns Of holding the regular annual meeting o.
electors for that purpose. leave no room for con
structon, and afford no room to doubt. that an,
act OF the Legislature authorizing the votes o.
electors to be taken at any other place or ia any
other manner. does conflict with the explicit anC
unequivocal provisions of the Constitution, anC
is therefore void"
/ la June, 1868, the Supreme Court Of New
/ Hampshire delivered a long and able opinion up
on the consttutionality of laws of the Legisla-
ture of State authorizing the soldiers to vote out
side of the State. the conclusions of which lie a
follows: AS these views lead US to the conclu
sion that this bill. in its most prominent features
j. in conflict with the provisions and the spirit
our Constitution, we have not deemed it neces
sary to consider whether il might also be objec
tonable as unequal in its practical effect, or, a
dispensing with those opportunities for conference
and consultation that have heretofore been deem
ell important. il not essential, TO the successful
operation OF our Institutions; whether il con
tains provisions otherwise in conflict with til
fundamental law Of the State
The Supreme Court Of several other State
have decided in the same way, but we have nc
their opinions. The only way, therefore.
which our soldiers can vote outside of the State
is by all amendment to our Constitution, and til
Republican Legislature has rendered it imposs
: bic for that to be done except by calling a cor
: vention, and that caHnot be done because lou
master" has assumed and is exercising all th
powers OF the several departments of our Coz
eminent and refuses TO call the Legslatur
together