Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-10-04
rae nAFTsmAn'5 JOURNAL,

Err, dtsfranchises hi.ntself, and takes upon
himself all the fearful consequences OF the
crime.
If faman lost his right of voting by going
into the service OF his country, as here as
serted BY the Democratic Chairman, it is
contended that much more justly dad he lose
that right by running away from that ser
vice.
A single objection to the views here rep
resented needs to be briefly met. This OBJ
lection is raised by the friends of Deserters-
for even they have friends about electiop
times. They argue that these persons can
not be deprived of the right of voting with
out trial-wlthout process OF law, &c. In
answer to this position, we say that the Act
of Congress itself is process OF law.
The terms OF the Constitution, relied up
on by those who sustain the cause of Desert
ers, such as trial, due process of law,
&C., do not apply to eases of this kind.
This defence could not be set up by the cit.
zen against the Grown of England, nor will
it avail him against his Government in this
country. The very same section of the
same article of the Constitution of the
United States which authorizes Congress
to raise armies and TO provide rules tor
the regulation of the army and navy, author
ised Congress to lay and collect taxes. du.
ties, &c, ''dnd to make all ta1cs tcl.tch
maybe necessary and proper for car!9'lag IN
to ececutiOn these poUers. When the
power is given to Congress TO lay and collect
taxes and to raise armies, this power is not
to be defeated by allowing to the citizen
privileges which would effectually defeat the
end proposed The citizen cannot inter
pose against the proceedings Of Congress
adopted for either OF these purposes, his
right of trial, or the plea that his personal
rights or his property are being taken from
him without : due process of law. this aap-
pears 70 have been the unanimous opinion
| OF the Supreme Court of the United States
in Is Howard, 272. The whole question is
| there fully examined and reviewed by the
Court. and both the opinion and judgment
| fully sustain the view here taken. The de-
cision of this question must be conclusive of
the question On this point Judge Wood
ward says:
am to take the instrument in the in
which it is received by the majority of the Su-
preme Court of the United States. Among the
judicial tribunals Of the country, If not in other
departments and places. that Court is the supreme
and final arbiter of questions under the Federal
! Constitution. The respect entertained for mem
bers of that bench makes that duty of following
them, a constitutional question. easy and plea
! SAINT. which the theory of the government makes
| imperative y Grant. Al.
he Constitution atIG laws or the united
States and Of Pennsylvania, the Supreme
| Court Of the United States and Of our own
| State; common sense, common honesty and
common justice seem to agree in the power,
the right and justice Of the Act distranchis-
| ing Desertcrs.
Let no officer Of election, therefore, be in
Inundated by the threats of the C1ear1SeId
Republican, but conscientiously and honest
| IL discharge bis duty, and protect the ballot
| deserves to be protected.