Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-08-05
ADDRESS OF THE UNION STATE CEN
TRIAL COMMITTEE.

To the People Of Pennsylvania
In the midst of fierce conflict for the national
life-responding to calls for large reinforcements
to enable our armies successfully to combat with
traitors -cheerfuly meeting the payment of ex-
traordinary taxation to supply the Government
with money to conduct the war, aEd submitting
to an immense increase Ia the prices of living, the
people of Pennsylvania have nevertheless been
able for three years to maintain prosperity, and
secure healthy operation in all 3he branches of
their trade, unprecedented in the annals OF any
country while engaged in the prosecution Ofawar.
In the trials of this bloody war with the struggle
just reaching its climax, the people of Pennsylva
MIA suddenly find themselves involved in politi-
cal contest invested with the highest importance,
because fraught with the momegtouS issues. Or
dinarly heretofore, political contests meant only
q choice Of policy as to the manner of administer
ing the Government The struggle parties was
for the possession OF the powers OF Government,
and merely to control their operation. Now.
however, our political contests have resolved
themselves into direct and positive issue for
the safety and the permanence OF the Govern
ment; because politically as well as sectionaly,
the contest at the ballot box and in the battle
field must decide whether the Union shall exist or
perish with the triumph or defeat of one or the
other of the contending parties Hence the un-
wonted importance with which our political cam
paigns are now invested. Parties are now divi-
ded on issues which vitally concern the Govern
ment They are composed of friends and enemies
of that Government To chose between these
parties equally interests the cause of loyalty and
that of treason. No man can stand neutral be-
tween the two and all that are not fairly for the
Government will be Justly recognized as its enemy
Admitting that such is the new Importance as
.sumed by our political contests, we have an ex-
cuse as well as justification for entering on the
contest fast approaching for the amendments to
the Constitution, with all the zeal in our natuRe
and all the devotion that should characterize tie
patriot and the lover of his country in his effort to
serve it.
1t would seem that on an amendment to the
Constitution granting the soldier right to vote
there should be no division. Among free peo-
pie particularly who are admitted always to be
the most intelligent, such right should be well
grounded in common and statute law as to need
no action, at this late day, for its exercise and
yindication The soldier, in all lands, alike
among civilized and barbarie nations, has ever
been admitted to the highest honors conferred by
the Governments beneath whose banners he
fought His vaior, hissacriices, and his devotion,
have ever been regarded as themes for the poet,
subjects for the painter, and material for the his
toFiau and thus the calling OF arms became one
of honor-one which elected the noble riyalries
of compatriots and elevated the character of men,
war has been so conducted as to force combatants
to respect and honor each others qualities-the
victor still to treat the vanqnished as MAN.
The Constitution and laws expressly declare that
no man shallbe deprived of his citizenship, except
for high crimes ofwhieh he shall be charged and
proven guilty He must be summoned to meet
such charge of criminality in the presence of
Judges whose oaths bind them to do him entire
Justice. He must be insured trial by jury
sworn impartially to consider his case. IF found
guilty. the sentence of his judges may result in his
disfranchisement-but dsfranchisement is not
aimed at as result of his punishment Disfran-
ellfse as direct punishment is only made to fol-
low the highest crime known against the State
yet in the face of these facts, aud in opposition
to all equity, there are those the State who in
sist that dlsfranchisement should follow the high
est service which a man can perform for his Gov
ernment There is strong party to-day in Penn
sylvania, regularly organized, controlled by able
leaders and sustained by astute and learned advo-
Gates, insisting that the service of citizen as
solder-the perIkng of life and limb in the sup
port of the Government, the giving up Of domes-
tic endearmshts the sacrifice of business interests,
and the yielding of all personal comforts, forfeit
for those thus engaged all political right every
franchise Of free bora consttutlonally adopted
American citizen. The monstrous iniquity. OF
such claim is at once apparent, however it has
been naintaiced by our highest Judicial tribunals