The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-10-05
To the Election Ofieers'of Pennsvlvani.

10 the Electfon Umcers.0f Pennsylvania.
1t was believed that new and ;mnort-
ant questions would be presented to vou
at the approaching election in October
1865, growing out Of the several cons
crlptlon laws passed by Congress, and the
Act of Sd March, 1865, (Sec q, taking
from deserters the right of citizenship.S
Influenced by this belief, short exarriea-
tion of the question was prepared and
published to the people. Since this was
done, several persons aud papers in the
State have taken very decided ground
against the right of election eficers to
consider the question at all 1t is arafy
earnestly and firmly insisted that it is the
duty, as it will no doubt be the pleasure.
of every board in the State, to examine
and determine every case of the kind
that may come before them, according to-
the best of their judgment and ability
on are just as much bound to examine
ana decide upon these questions as upon
the naturalization of a person born in the
country who claims to vote. or any other
question under the law.
The couyassers, orators and editors Who
attempt to prevent you from considering.
these questions; and especially those
who threaten to prosecute you for so do
ing, render themselves clearly liable to-
the penalties of the ll0th Section of the
Act of 2h July, 1889, to wit: fine OF
not more than five hundred dollars, and
imprisonlheht not less than one nor more
than tWelye mouths.
We have not. nor will we attempt to-
jntiwidatee, aqyg officer Of election, nor any
citizen of the. State. But we appeal. to yeuc
as. honest aud upright men not to permit
any man. or, men, whether for personal
or POLITICAL considerations, to intimidato
you from faithful and conscientious dis.
charge Of your duties.
TITS with very great regret that we SEQ,
that a few District Attorneys in the State
have been SO unmindful of the dignity
which should characterize the positions
they occupy as to prejud &c the question,
endeavOr-to throw the weight of their of,
ieial character npoa one side of it. anl
have eFcn gone so far as to threaten tp
prosecute election officers who NAV lie
constrained to differ with them in opinion,
These persons, whose duties it should be
to. prosecute Offenders" have thu,
thoughtle<sly or wilfully placed them
selves in ths position of offenders, by at
tempting, through intimidation, to inter
fere with the officers of election in the
conscientious discharge of their duties
We have appealed to your reason and your
judgment Tothese only GO we now appeal
Weasi> you to consider the question as,
honest and impartial men Th 50 men who,
threaten you, are nos o~ly judges of the,
law in the case, and even though they
may occupy the very distinguished posi-,
tons OF. District Attorneys, it is no part
of their duty to decide this question fop
you.
We add that those who seek to secure
the right Of suffrage to dcserters, in order
to neu:rlliZe and destroy the votes Of the.
true soldiers Of the Union, will be heidi.
by posterity, as tbs ct companions in in
fanny Of the ticscrters, themselves.
History will record these upon the
same scroll which contains the trai,ors Of
l776 and 1S12.
JOHN CESSNA,
Chairman Union State Central Commit,
tee.
September so, 1865.