The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1865-06-24
The Cecil Whig.
ELKTON, JUNE "a, 1865.
The Registry Law

And Registers have been receiving special
attention from the Democrat for some time
past, but whether the articles on this subject
of intense interest to the Copperhcad party
of this State are written for buncombe, with
the intent to deceive, or whether they are
pcnncd in ignorance of the true intent and
meaning of the law, we have been at loss
somewhat to know but incline to the former
theory. We think, however, it would be
much better for the Democrat to fairly ex.
plain the Registry Law, and not attempt to
prejudice its readers against it. "Honesty
is the best policy in all things politics not
excepted.
The requirements of this terrible law
terrible only in the eyes of persons guilty OF
having conspired against their country-are
that the officers of registration shall ascer-
tain and register the names of every white
male person resident IN the election districts,
and shall administer such oath of allegiance
as prescribed by the Constitution, and fur.
lher oath that he shall make true answers to
questions touching his right of voting and
registration. And section 9th of the Regis.
try Law further declares,
THAT it shall be the duty of officers of registration
before entering any name the register of votes to
diligently inquire and ascertain that such person has
not done Of the acts which declared In the Sd
4h ~ 9Th sections of the said first article of the Cons
tuition as causes Of and if the evidence
brought to their knowledge shall satisfy them that hc
is disqualified under either Of said sections they shall
not enter his name as a voter"
Could the law require less than this? Do
not the election laws, that have been in force
since the election by ballot has been priv.
lege, confer as much authority on the judges
Of election, and could they fulfill the duties
of the office, clothed with less authority p
Is their any authority vested by this law in
the registering officers that is not absolutely
necessary?
The following are sections and of the
Constitution, defining the causes that sh II
disqualify veters:
"section 3-No person above the age of twent y.onc
years. convicted Of larceny other infamous crime
less pardoned by the Governor shall thereafter he
entitled to vote any election in this State and no -
natic or person non compos ments shall be entitled to
vote.
Section 4-No person who has at any time been In
armed hostility to the United States the lawful
hortes thereof who has been 10 any manner in the
service of the socaed confederate States of America
and person who has Voluntarily left this State and
gone within the military lines Of the socalleG Confed-
crate States or armies with the purpose of adherng to
said States armies. and person who has given
ah comfos countenance or support 10 those engaged
in armed hostility to the United States, in any
adhered to the enemies Of tho United States, either by
contributing to the enemies of the United States or
lawfully sending within the lines of such enemies money
goods or letters uformation who has disoyaly
held communication with the enemies of the United
DprsO TO ntpr the
vice of the said enemies aided pers,n
who has by open deed word declared his adhe
sion to the cause of tho enemies of the United States
or his desire for the triumph of said enemies the
of the United States shall ever be entitled to vote
at any election to be held in this State.
The officers of registration are as firmly
bound to go by the law as laid down in the
Constitution Of the State and by the Legs.
lature, as any men appointed to administer
laws, can be. Their duties are so clearly
pointed out that none can well err. Yet to
read the long, abusive articles that have APP
peared in the interest of the secession party
of this county recently, one would naturally
conclude,--if all there set down was mis-
taken for truth, THAT the Registry Law gave
absolute and despotic powers to the officers
appointed to register voters, and that those
officers were such miscreants as kept watch
and ward over our starving prisoners at Lib.
by, Salisbury, and Andersonville Every
article that has been printed in the Demo.
crat pretending to represent the horrors Of
the Registry Law, has been base SANDER
upon the law and officers of registration,
and were known and intended to be such.
A Registry Law is no new thing Many
States have such law, and it is the best
safeguard that can be placed over the ballot
box. There can be no colonizing and cheat
ing by imported voters, where a Registry
Law is properly administered. The voter,
previous to the day of election, must show
that he is entitled to vote, or his name is
excluded from the register, and the judges
of election saved from that trouble and de-
lay in examining doubtful votes, which here,
tofore has been such an annoyance and de-
lay on the day of election. No man can
produce any argument against a Registry
Law, and none but feels some consciousness
of having forfeited his right of franchise will
be heard grumbling against it.
All who are fairly entitled to vote will
have the privilege under our present Regis
try Law, and those who have forfeited that
right will be ruled out, and therein lieth to
Copperhead minds the disquieting feature.