The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-08-14
The Recent Election In Kentucky and
the IutesEsrence OF the Military.

The returns from the Kentucky election are
vet 80 incomplete that It is impossible to tell
the-precise result either as to the Congressional
ticket or the Legislature. Inasmuch as the
question of endorsing the constitutional
amendment abolishing slavery which passed
Congress last winter formed one of the principal
questions in the canvass for members of the
Legislature, the result is of some Importance
probably, however, more so p the people of
that State than any other-as it in measure
determines whether the people of Kentucky are
ready to adapt themselves to the new order of
things, or continue to fight against inevitable
fate, and thus keep themselves constantly
in hot water, turmoil and excitement. As to
the members of Congress the accounts are so
conflicting that, under our present advices, we
are unable to decide how the delegation
stands; but appearances indicate that there
will be four republicans to five democrats re-
turned The result in two districts is repre-
sented as being very close, and full returns
may turn the scale on one side or the
other The gain, if any, is just as probable to
the republicans as democrats, and to the demo-
Gratis as to the republicans. In regard to the
practical effect upon the next Congkess, it can
not possibly make any difference. The repub-
lican majority is so large that three or four
members here and there will not change the
character Of the working majority. But there
are questions arising out Of the developments
of the Kentucky election and canvass which
demand the most serious attention of the Presi-
dent and the American people.
All accounts agree that the military, under
the command OF General Palmer, committed
high-handed outrages, which, if true, and if con-
tnued elsewhere, would seriously affect the
rights and liberties Of the people. We cannot
believe that in the course adopted General
Palmer either acted under orders from Presi-
dent johnson, or that the latter, in the re-
hottest way, sanctions his action. In fact,
the vagaries OF this officer, and his ex-
ploits during the canvass, caused the President
to demand, by telegraph, an explanation, and
General Palmer wrote letter in reply which
proved his utter incapacity as commander OF
the district, and was conclusive that his true
position is at the head of some ward political
organization. AS we understand it, the duties
of commander of district is to merely see
that there y no disturbance of the peace and
good order, and to render, the civil authorities
assistance whenever required in the execution
of the laws. Does any person suppose that the
people would submit to General Hooker es-
tablishng regulations in regard to the mode OF
conducting the election in this State, and to
take upon himself TO decide who should vote
and who should mott The State Of Kentucky
has never been out of the Union or gone
through the forms Of seeding, as was the case
With most of the other Southern States. Ii is,
therefore, in the eye of the law, just as loyal
as the State of New York or any other North
ern State II is true that many of her citizens
have been secessionsts, and took part in the
rebellion against the general government and
are to certain extent amenable therefor. But
the rebellion has been put down; the President
has issued an order which fixes the penalties Of
those who were engaged in 1t, and what they
must do to become citizens and entitled to all
the rights and privileges as such. The ma
chinery Of the State government of Kentucky
is all intact, and the laws of the State pre-
scribe the qualifications of voters Under the
direction Of the Governor, the State laws were
adjusted to the requirements Of the Presidents
amnesty proclamation, and the officers OF the
election, the sheriifs and other local police OIL
Gals, were instructed to see that there was no
violation of those laws and orders. All that
the military could possibly under any circum-
stances be justified in doing in the premises
would be simply to render such assistance in
preventing the infraction of the laws aud or
ders by evil disposed persons as the judges Of
election, sheriffs or police should require.
But If we are to believe the published ac-
counts both from democratic and republican
authorities, the military under General Palmer
not only did not perform this duty, but in many
instances OVERRIDE the election officers, sheriis
and other civil authorities, and prescribed who
should vote and who should not During the
canvass this political military General de-
scended from his position, took the stump,
delivering political harangues, and using Ian
guage which tended to irrtate rather than allay
the bitter animosities existing among the PEG.
ple. On election day, we are told, his subordi-
mates appeared at the polls with lists of pro.
scribed men, made up, no one knows by whom
or how, and as probably by some malicious
persons as any other. As the voters made
their appearance they were compelled to an.
nounce their names aud TO await the examn
alton Of the list, to see whether they were
among the prescribed, before they would be
allowed to approach near the polls. Vainly
did the men appeal for the privilege Of stating
their case to the election Judges, and let then
decide whether they were voters or not; but al
to no use. Their names were on the list In Tho
hands of the military, and that was sufficient
No excuse and no reason why they were no
entitled to vote would be given, and 1t i
announced that in many instances men wht
have never in the remotcst degree favored o
-. - Has,