The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-08-02

WAYS, and the field Will De Kept clear
for the final realization of universal har-
mony and good will.
The Richmond Election Set Aside.
We have received copies of Richmond
papers confirming the reported setting
aside of the municipal election In that
city. The order under which this out
rage upon the freedom of elections was
consummated is as follows:
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF HENRICO,
RICHMOND, VA, July %, 1865. !
Special Orders. No. 70.
Whereas, satisfactory evidence has
been furnished at these headquarters
that, at the election held in the city OF
Richmond on the 25th inst, for munich
pal officers, voters were excluded on the
ground of having lost their residence by
reason of their absence as soldiers in the
United States army during the rebellion,
when no such ground was taken as
against soldiers absent in the rebel army;
and, whereas, with but few exceptions,
all the officers elected at said municipal
election have been prominent and con-
spicuous In inaugurating and sustaining
the rebellion and, whereas, the issue
was distinctly made and openly avowed
at said election, as between these men
who had aided and abetted in the war
against the United States authority, and
those who had, with their lives, defend
ed the flag of our country.
Therefore, Justice to the thousands who
g. llo,, ~, ha hot In H.i1 or nv dis
ease, in their efforts to put down this re-
belliOn, and to those who are now re-
turning to their homes in this District,
after four years of suffering, toll, priva-
tions, and dangers incurred in fighting
treason, demands that these persons who
were so lately contributing all their ef-
forts to sustain treason and overthrow
this Government should not be installed
into Office and entrusted with power.
Hence it is hereby declared that the
United States military authorities of this
city will regard the said municipal elec.
tions held in this city on the 25th Instant
as null and void, excepting only the cleo.
ton of the Clerk of the Hastings Court
and each and every person elected to of
fice-excepting the said Clerk of the
Hastings Courts prohibited from ex'
ercising the duties apPertaining thereto
BY command of
BREvET MAJOR GENERAL TURNER.
E. Lewis Moore, A. A. G.
1t seems almost unnecessary to add
any comment to the above. Every lover
of liberty, every believer in the value OF
republican institutions, must condemn
military order setting aside any popular
election, as very grave offense against
all the people. The Richmond election
was conducted fairly and in strict accord
ance with law. There was no disturb
ance at any of the polls, aud we have
never heard any allegation of fraud il
the voting or the returns. The officers
elected each received large and decis
i've majority over their opponents. and
the result was universally admitted t.
be fair expression of the popular will
Yet the election is set aside aud declared
null and void, simply becdhse the candi
date whom General TURNER favored die
not receive the appreciation of the PEG
pie.
The causes for this extraordinary &C
ton set forth in the military order are
mauifestly mere subterfuges. 1t would
be interesting to the northern people tc
know how many citizens of Richmond
served in the Union army during the re
bellion and were excluded from voting
on that account. Were there enough o
this class whose votes were rejected t.
change the result of the election and. i
itwere so, would it not have been the pro
per course for the defeated candidate t.
contest the election in a legal way be
fore the civil courts rather than for 6
military commander to violate the law
and the public will by an arbitrary order
enforced by bayonets2 If the Richmond
newspapers are to be believed, the issue
between the opposing candidates at the
late election is misstated by Genera
TURNER 1t has been expressly denied
by these Journals that confederate sol
diers were elected because they had been
soldiers, or that the difference between
the candidates was one of loyalty OF dis
loyalty to the United States government
Mr.. TAYLOR who was defeated, but who
was General TURNER'S candidate, claimed
the support of the rebel soldiers because
he had sent three sons to the confederat,
army and had heartily favored the cause
Mr.. SrURDEvANT who was elected but
who was not General TURNER'S candi
date, had been himself soldier eff the re
bellion. We have no idea that one Of
them was any more loyal than the other
hpt the people of Richmond chose SUR
DEvANT, while General TURNER wanted
TAYLOR and 30 the election is declared
null and void z.i f,t es .j.
If these things are permitted to con.
tinue, it becomes serious question
whether it is worth while to hold any
more elections by the people. They are