American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-07-27
Address of. the Union State
Central Committee.
10 the People of Pennsylvania

4
In the midst of fierce conflict for the
national life-responding to call for large
reinforcements 20 enable our armies sue
ccssfully to combat with traitors-cheer-
fully meeting the payment of extraordi-
nary taxatisa to supply the government
with money TO conduct the war, and sub
mitting to an immence increase in the
prices of living,@hc people of Pennsyf-
vania have nevertheless been able for
three years to maintain prosperity and
secure a healthy operation in all the
branches of their trade, unprecedented in
the annals of any country while engaged
in the prosecution of a war In the trials
of this bloody war, with the struggle just
reaching its climax, the people of Penn
sylvania suddenly find themselves involv-
ed in political contest invested with the
highest importance, because fraught with
the most momentous issues. Ordlaafy,
heretofore, political contests meant only
choice of policy as to the manner of ad-
ministering the aevernment. The strug
gle of parties was for the possession of the
powers of government and merely to
control their operations. Now, however,
our political contests have resolved them
selves into a direct and positive issue for
the safety and the epermanence of the gov
crnment; because politically as well as
sectionally, the contest at the ballot box
and in the battle field must decide wheth-
er the Union shall exist or perish with
the triumph or defeat of one or the other
of the contending parties. Hence the
unwonted Importance with which our
political campaigns arc now invested
Parties are now divided on issues which
vitauy concern the government. They
are composed of friends and enemies of
that government. To choose between
these parties equally interests the cause
of loyalty and that of treason. No man
can stand neutral between the two, and
all who are not fairly for the government
will be Justly recognized as its enemy.
Admitting that such is the new impor-
tance assumed by our political contests we
have an excuse as well as a justification
for entering on the contest fast approach
ing for the amendments to the Constitu-
ton. with all the zeal in our nature, and
all the devotion that should characterize
the patriotic 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 a
right to vote, there should be no division
Among free people, particularly, who
are admitted always to be the most intelli-
gent. such right should be so well ground
ed in common and statute law, as to need
no action at this late day for its exercise
and vindication. hcsoldier, mall lands,
alike among civilized and barbaric nations,
has ever been admitted to the governments
beneath whose banners he fought. His
valor. his sacrifices and his devotion, have
ever been regarded as themes for the po-
ct, subjects for the painter, and material
for the historian; and thus the calling of
arms became one of honor-one which
elected the noble rivalries of compatriots
and where civilization refined the instincts
and elevated the character of men, war
has been so conducted as to force combat
ants to respect and honor each others
aualities-the victor still to treat the van
quished as MAN The Constitution and
laws expressly declare, that no man shall
be deprived of his citizenship, except Tor
high. crimes of which he shall be charged
and proven guilty He must be summon
ed to meet such charge of criminality
in the presence of judges whose oaths
bind them to do him entire justice. He
must be ensured trial by jury sworn
impartially to consider his case. 1t found
guilty, the sentence of his judges may
result in his disfranchisemcnt--but dis
franchisement is not aimed at as a result
of his punishment. Disfranchisement as
direct punishment is only made to fol-
low the highest crime known against the
State Yet in the face Of facts, and in
opposition to all equity, there arc those in