The mountain Democrat., 1864-05-07
Sham Rleetiona.

Inc etecuOnS lately held IN the "TecoV'
cred StateS"-in Louisiana, Tennessee aud
Arkansas ARE characterized as q mock
cry even by the friends Of the Admins.
tration. They we're conducted by aliens,
in defiance of law and the protest Of the
Union men of the States mentioned But
few Of the bona fdc citizens voted. and
those who did were influenced to do so by
mercenary mulives or through fear The
Nashville journals speak of the election
held in Tennessee on the 9th of March, as
u miserable sham - diSgrac, ful alike to
those who ordered ii and pari.4 .tJAiPd in
it.. The Nashville Union ,ienouncCS it as
"a serious farce" 1t says:
Every few Of the original Union man voted
At all, f r they had warning in advance that
frauds like those prActiced bv King ISham u,
Harris aud his miniOn~, would bp used They
bad denounced the rebel frandS "f 6l. and
were NOT willing 10 compliment the Devil hv
adopting his programme,
In public meeting called unconditional
Union II bad brrn announced bv the Mayor
ct this CITY, as Tepnrted by "a city paI eI III
strong sympathy With him, that qnartrrmas.
iers and their clerks. and all the soldiers and
Government employees who had been resi-
dents at the county Fix months, should assist
in the election Of loyal men"
The Union states that a meeting which
ratified the caucus 4ominati"nS-a eau
Gus composed of officers Of the a'mv, mon
residents If the State and not entitled tu
vote-on the Thursday night preceding
the election, appointed n committee to a~,
eItain who We're entitled to vote, and ITO
instruct the judges accordingly" The
Nashville Dispatch, edited by Federal
official, and the organ oI Andrew Johnson,
Military Governor Of the unfortunate
State, evidently disposed to make it as
unohjeCtionahle as 1t could consistently
with truth, saws of the eiection:
"A large number Of soldiers and Govern.
ment EMPLOYEES voted. the question Int IL
them being Have YOU been here six mouths
or, How long have YOU been here,' In most
OF the wards the oath prescribed by Governor
Johnson was read to the voter in une WArd
the judge. after requesting the voter ta hold NJ
his right hand, sand, Have voli read or heard
read, the oath prescribed by Governor John
s"n, and are VA ~l!ing to subscribe To it,
Answering II! the affirmative, his vote was
received
Amung the voters were members # rrg
mentS um lhdIana. aud other States. bn
rhlelly the 18th Michigan. the Invalid Crrps
aud the inmates at the hospitals. TIE Gov
ernmtnt employees were we'll represented
large hunters voting IN alt the wards AS far al
oar observation permitted us 10 judge"
it is 10y such means the Administrations
carries elections in the "recuvered States
Is such total disregard Of law and The
rights of the loyal citizens Of the Stat,
calculated to strengthen the Uhion senti
ment. or create a Union sentiment among
the dislolal? Are not the loyal people n
/ Tennessee entitled to some considerable,
at the hands Of the Administration |.
it just or dt cent to S'iflc their voice b,
the votes and bayonetS Of aliens? Is no
such an election farce aud should it no
he declared void? Is this the return til,
Administration makes them for tnir sac
ritices for and devotion to the Union? |
it not aiding insult to injury?
In view Of the above facts, reluctant,
admitted BY Governor JoIluSnn'S 5 own or
I gan, the editor "t the Nashville Press, v h
opposed secession from the start, pxrnln,>
/ What n commentary The noble and gen
ernnS sons Of Trnnrsser. f,r long ears hav
not been permitted I" say whether Gndrr Bdi
should rule over them, and when this priceless
privilege is believed In be within their reach
which ihry would welcome Us u blessing tiou
heaven. this is the result -