The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-10-24
The soldiers Vote.
EFFORTS OF THE DEMOCRATIC
PARTY TO SECURE III con-
STITTTI0NALLY.
The Republican Party Always OPP
posed 10 il.

No little effort has been made 10 confuse
the minds of the people, in relation to 'he &C
ton of the democratic party touching the
soldiers vote while In the service OF his
country and to make soldiers believe the
democrats were opposed to their voting. The
very contrary is the fact. Democrats were
Opposed to violating and trampling under
foot the constitution of our state, but they
were not opposed to the soldiers voting.
This question was fully discussed IN the
constitutional convention in 1862, in the gem
era! assembly in 1868, aud gain IN the legls
lative session of 1865. In all OF these, the
democracy endeavored to secure to the SOL
der the right to vote IN the field by Rn am
endment OF the constitution their action ih
the convention was defeated by the popular
vote, and in the general assembly their efforts
were Intellectual, By reason 81 toe opposition
of the repu bicans.
The democratic party has always been the
eonsistent and constitutional advocate Of the
soldiers voting, and evidence ol their
desire 20 retain the invaluable right OF sut
rage amongst the sOdlery, 1t should he re-
memberel that the constitutional convention
of 1862 made the requisite provisions Tor
taxing the soidlerS' woe then, and for the
subsequent Modification of that instrumeut.
At tue session OF our legislature, In 1868,
the question was raised In the house and re-
ferrsd to t@e Judiciary committee. lhiS
committee comprised the best talent IN that
body, amongst whom may DE named the
Hon Joseph Is. Underwood, 3 leading mem
Der of the republican party, snd an eminent
LAWYER Tae committee made report IN she
18th of February, 1868. This report ~ Il
mastery and comprehensive reTIew Of the
whole question, and we regret that our limits
preclude its entire publication. Mr.. nder-
wood republican, discussed the question at
length, and declared, 81 the conclusion that u
law permitting the soldiers II vote elsewhere
than in their district and county. would he
In violation of the constitution. and VOID. -
AS we have said Mr.. Underwood ~ dis
tIngulshed jurst of the state, ind leading
republican. lie signed this report.
After considering the entire subject, the
report of the judiciary committee concludes
as follows:
s'Being constrained by regard for the con
stitu!Ion to dacIde as above, your committee iee
justified this connection IN placing upon record
their high appreciation Of the gallant services
Tend Tered by our volunteer sodery In the terrible
conflict in which engaged Patriotic IN
sentIm snt, brave in conduct, they will he ever
held IN grateful memory by the people - their
loved Illinois
s'Your committee would gladly and proudly
make the proposed distinction favor Of
volunteer soldiers the class most worthy OF
exercising the elective franchise, could suCh
dIscrImin alton be III ide in constitutional man-
ner, but as In the judgment of your committee II
cannot be done, ask To be discharged from the
further conside ration of the subject
When called to vote upon the report Mr..
Underwood said
"It seems to many somewhat extraordinary,
perhaps, that |, a republican, should in
the report. But assure you that as a member of
the legislature, under my oath to support the n
stituton oil the state, feel that am under higher
obligations than those of mere party alliance
when called upon 20 determine and report upon
a constitutional right, l hope l NAV never be IN
fuenced by political prejudices. As TO the point
made IN the report that citizen can vote except
In the district where he actually resides, think
the clear and unequlvocal provision of the consti-
tuition requires 1t. Soldiers are citizens il il
true but being absent from their residences the
constitution inhbts them from voting the same
rs our members OF congress and all other OF our
citizens who not at homo during elections,
What would people say to law permit.
ting eveay merchant or cattle dealer, when
In New York on business, to vote al his no
tel. or to send mis- vote home by mail? What
would they say TO a similar law tor all who
have gone to the gold regions ?-or who are
out of the state. for any reason? They would
say The constitution of this state distinctly
deulares, in Art. VI, l, that
s'No Citizen inhabitdnt shall be entitled TO
rote, except the district county an ,rhich he
shat actually reside at the time or such cIec-
tion.''
Yet it would be just cs constitutional to
enact a law permitting such absent persons
to vote, as any other class who might be ab.
sent.
Having referred to the democratic record
In the constitutional convention and in the
general assembly of 1868, we now call at
tention to the action OF the democrats in the
general assembly in 1865. Ii is known that
tne last general assembly had a maiori,v Of
f.'A'ans IN both houses hence anv mes-