The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1864-11-09
Gov. HsramEette' Proclamation.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE, FRANKFORT,
II.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, FRANKFORT,
Oct 18th, 1864.
10 he Officers Of Election and Citizens Of
Keatucty;'
On Tuesday, the Sth day of November
rex, the legal voters of Kentucky will have
the right to select, in accordance with the
rules and regulations Of law, electors to cast
the vote of the State for President and Vice
President Of the United States. Every ie-
gal voter should cast his vote according to
his own free and uiiconstained choice, with
an honest and patriotic judgment, and with
out fear OF hindrance
The apprehensions of many have been
startled to fear that the military authorities
viii interfere and attempt to control the
election These fears have been awakened
by the declaration Of martial law over Ken
tacky just preceding the August elections,
and BY the continuance OF martial law, with
out any occasion or reasonable pretcnse
therefor.
The practical common sense Of the loyal
end law-abiding people OF kentucky can see
r, noreason for being singled out ior military
r11ie, at time when the civil authorities are
fully established and competent to the emer-
gencies of Government ..
a martial law operates only upon those
within the lines of military operations, and
not upon adverse forces, and is only warrant
ed where active hostilities exist; it is no sat.
isfactory answer to those fears to say rebel
raids and guerrilla depredations make mar
tial law necessary.
Rebels and guerriilas must be met with
martial forces, not with martial law. No
guerrilla was ever startled from the bush, or
rebel soldier frightened from his purpose, or
law w-breaker inundated into obedience OF
Of law, by declaration Of martial law. Mar
tial law in Kentucky must expend it's force
upon the loyal citizen, as. 1t cannot be
brought to bear upon the rebels or guerril-
las. Nor is martial law required TO enpoW-
er our soldiers to give battle 10 rebels, or to
Rmnt down gueriillas.
From this common-sense vicw, which is
apparent TO the intention Of all, martial law
declared ever Kentucky assumes to many
the aspect OF menace; and, therefore, they
appeai to me, from all directions. to know
t'if we are to have free election. The
Constitution declares that ''all elections
ehall be free and equal" IF the officers of
election will do their duty, aud the citizens
will manfully support them in the discharge
of duty, we will have free election. "
The officers of election are civil officers
derive their powers from, and have their du-
ties prescribed by, civil authority. They
cannot regard or obey any order, in relation
TO elections, from any military source what
s ever, without violating their oath. An or
der from any military source, directed to
the officers Of election, and assuming to di-
rect their duties, or to control or restrict the
right of suffrage, is mt only an outrage upon
civil liberty, but an insult to the honor Of
officers of election, and should be so resented
Tie mlitary authorities have nothing to
do syith-sleetiona, and have no authority or
right, as officers or soldiers, to interfere
therewith. IL elections all are oitizen:---
nsnc are sbldiers citizenship is the high
ext status OF the man. The soldier is but u
a citizen cnploNed in the military service
not IN the civil The duty of the soldier is
10 support, not 10 overthrow Or cQntrol, the
civil authority. lie is to fc-establish the
civil authority where it has been ovcrborne
BIZ leyalt--not To oYer1ule Ss usurp its au-
ihority. :,
ii. therefore, any military officer shall
show hiin,ef so regardless OF duty as to as
sn,ne re direct or control the officers OF cleo
iion, yot should treat such orders with in
N di1nasst caateiGpt, and seorn obedience
which implies perjury and eoTardiee in yot..
IL military iasec IL brought to menace the
sDtEcersof election or voters yonr duty is
dearly marked out by law. The law Is as
binding upon the soldier as upon any other
,itizen. He has no more right to violate it,
aud Is az amcnable to its penalties. As no
officer OF suy rank. from the President
d,wn. has any riqht or authority to inter
l,rc with ELECTIONS, no order ~ do 50 can le-