The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-11-11
BayOnets and Ballots.

The Presidential election to take place
on Tuesday next will be the first election
ever held in this country under the super
vision Of bayonets. 1t will be strange
spectacle to free American citizens who
suppose themselves to be living under
constitution which guarantees the absolute
freedom of the elective franchise as civil
right with which no military commander
should dare, upon any pretext, to inter-
fere, to witness an election for President
of the United States conducted under the
surveillance of armed men, and those
armed men under the command Of one of
the candidates to be voted for. But,
strange as it may appear, such is to be- the
case. General DIX, in New York, recently
published bis order to this effect, and the
military commanders in other northern
states are doing likewise. These orders,
although issued by different commanders,
read very much alike, showing that they
all proceed from one source, and that
source located at Washington. The fol-
lowing is the "circular" which is to be
put into effect in the Northwest, under
the orders of General Hooker:
HEADQUARTERS NORTHERN DEPARTMENT.
CINCINNATI, Oct. q, 1864.
CIRCULAR.
The commander of this department has re.
ceived information that it is the intention of
large body of men on the northern frontier, on
each side Of the line, openly on one slde and
in disguise on the other. 80 to organize at the
ensuing national election, as to interfere with
the integrity of the election and when in their
power to cast illegal votes; in fact, in any way
interfere with the honest expressions of the
electors.
In view of the foregoing facts, it is made the
! duty of all officers of the government, both
civil and military, as well as loyal citizens, to
! puard well the integrity of the ballot box.
All military officers, including Provost Mar
shals and their assistants, will be held to o
| strict accountability for the adoption of such
measures within their districts or commands,
| as will not only prevent illegal voting, but to
arrest and bring to justice all who attempt such
voting, or endeavOr to prevent the honest ex-
ercise of the elective franchise.
The citizens and civil authorities of the
towns and cities on the northern frontier are
| particularly requested to give any information
| they may have, or may from time to time re-
ceive, to the Provost Marshal. or military au-
thorities, whose duty it is to inform the near
est Provost Marshal General, or other military
authority, and to take measures to arrest and
! confne any and all connected with such organ
izations. The late raid on the lakes and in
New England arc ample evidence that neither
| life nor property are safe. >,
All Provost Marshals and assistants, and all
military commanders, will take measures to
obtain and report at once any information that
may lead to the prevention of this interference
with the rights of the people. or ald IN the ar
resi- and punishment of the offenders; they
from time to time will report any new facts by
telegraph =. -,
Local authorities will receive all the aid
within the control of the military authorities.
By command OF Maj. Gen. HooKER:
U1ticjaD e. H. POTTER,
Asst Adjt. General