The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-07-28
THE ELECTION.

called upon to say whether you believe
the freeman who fights the battles of his
is fit to be entrusted with the
privilege of voting for its lawmakers and
its law executors; or whether for such
display of patriotism they
deserve to be ranked as serfs and servants.
There are reasons innumerable why you
should be at the polls early on that day,
and not only vote yourself but exert all
your influence to secure the votes OF all
your neighbors in favor of conferring on
the soldier in the field as right, that
which he enjoyed as a citizen at home
There is not a single valid reason why
you should not do so, or why you should
vote against the granting of the privi-
lege.
There was a time, when our soldiers
were fighting on foreign soil, that there
was not dissenting voice to the propo-
sition for the exercise of the elective
franchise on the tented field. During
the Mexican war the proposition was not
only entertained, but was really acted up
on. During that war Pcnnsylvanians,
from Vera Cruz on up to the Halls of the
Montezumas, cast their silent but potent
ballots for whom they pleased, and men
of all parties thought it right and rejoiced
over it. How much more proper would
it be for them to exercise the right now,
when. they are fighting, as it were, for
the very life and soul of the Republic
1t is our fathers, our sons, and our broth.
ers for whom we plead; and shall it be
said that there is one man here at home
so base-so bound down to the whim and
caprice of political demagogues, and trai
tors; so little versed in all that eomprizes
true patriotism and love of country as to
say then nay to men who are risking life
and health, and everything in so glorious
cause as our country's safety and per
maneucy? We hope not. If there is
we shall blush for him, as he himself vii
blush when he comes to reflect over the
folly and meanness of his course We
know, and regret to say it, that there are
just such mean men right here in oul
midst, but, reader, We hope you are no
one of them.
These men-these mean men-these
traitors in the guize of patriotism, (for
they will all profess love Of country the
better to subserve their ends, will use
specious arguments to induce you to dc
as they would have you do. They will
tell you that the ballot box will have nC
safeguards in camp-that the men who
vote will not be permitted to vote as they
desire-that men will be permitted tt
vote who are not entitled to do so, and
that great frauds will mark the returns OF
tie result of the elections so held. Be.
lieve no such sophistries. The election in
Mexico, and the elections so held before
the immaculate wisdom cf a condemned
Woodward pronounced them unconstitu
tional, all give the lie to such pgetense.-
They have been Loyalty held aud honora
bly, conducted, and they will be again il
you so decide by your votes on Tuesday
Democrats to you especially does it be.
long to study well ere you follow the die
tates Of your corrupt leaders in this mat.
ter. There is settled purpose on their
part to disfranchise the soldier of his coun-
try. Though in years past your party
has been gamers by the rule. your lead
ers have resolved that the soldier is moi
qualified for the exercise of the elective
franchise, and that he must be prevented
from doing SO. And why? Really, on.
ly because they conceive that the soldiers
just indignation at the wrongs which
these leaders have inflicted on the couu.
try, by the obstacles which they have
thrown in the way of the conquering Of
an honorable peace, will lead him TO vote
against their advancement to place and
power. They are exercised by an out.
ragged conscience, and they tremble at the
results which such authority to permit a
righteous thing may bring about. In the
scale against the wicked Vaccinations Of
such demagogues, fling the fact that it is
for you fathers, you brothers and sons
that you are called upon to vote, and then
ask yourselves, whether, before God, you
would do right to oppose the latter, mere
ly to quiet the fears of the former
Reader, again we urge you to go to
the polls early, aud when there let us en-.
treat you to fight manfully for the right
in the noblest fgh: you ever participated
in. Let nothing keep YOU away. Though