Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-10-19
HOW THE COPPERHEADs PRO-
POSED CARRYING THE
1EV,ECTLON

Defyiag the Lar The Chairman Of the
Democratic State Central Committee
Openly Adgocates a Fiolation of the
Election Ldtos.
We give the following Democratic circular
as part of the history Of these eventful
times. 1t came to light just before the
election
Circular Private.
DEMOCRATIC STATE COMMITTEE Rooms,
S28 WALNUT ST., PHILADELPHIA,
September y, 1866.
ToJ B. .Saasoga Chairman County Com
D1ittee Indiana Comfy.
DEAR SIR: The subject of the deserters
lists requires prompt and thorough atten-
ton. The lists are being furnished by the
Adiutant General to the several clerks OF
Quarter Sessions, and it will be attempted
to reject the votes of all those whose names
are found upon them.
The case of Huber VS. Reilley settled the
question in this State, and unless man has
been convicted of desertion and failure to
return to service or report to provost mar
shaI. he is entitled to vote This Is the
fixed opinion of the Supreme Court, and
they stand firmly by it.
The only evidence of desertion is the rec
ord of conviction. The act of Assembly
known as the McConaughy law Is totally
void as regards all other cases, and desire
to impress it upon you and our friends, that
the law is with us in this matter, and that
we will be sustained in receiving those votes
in every case. AND WILL BE JUSTl-
FLED IN RESORTING TO ALMOST
EVERY MEANS TO POLL THEM.
None OF the penalties imposed by that
law can ever be enforced; | have the very
highest authority for declaring this to you.
/ have made every effort to bring the act
of Assembly directly before the court, but
up to this time have not succeeded. /
shall not relax my efforts in that and anoth-
er direction.
In the necessity for immediate action
have to give the following general direc
tiony trust you will see them attended
to. and also use all other means that you
and our friends deem wise IN the emer-
gency.
Shall, within week, furnish you with
complete lists of all the alleged deseftcrS
and non. reporting drafted men so iar as
have been able to get them, and as obtain
others will also furnish you. One copy OF
this list will be furnished to you for every
election district 'Forewarned Is fore
armed. The law makes the certificate OF
the Clerk of Quarter Sessions the evidence
of desertion, and it is probable that the ene-
my will get certificates to use against ouI
men, aud not produce the evidence against
their own With these lists you can learn
| which of their men are also on. and be pro-
| vided with the weapon against them II II be
necessary.
The first thing to be done is to keep ouI
| election officers fully up to the mark, and
sustain them in receiving these votes, / adj
| wise that a circular, signed by the District
| Attorney and the Democratic members Of
the bar, distinctly pointing out their duty
under the law, and giving the point decided
in Huber VS.. Reilly, and assuring them that
the penalties in the act of Assembly CANNOT
AND SHALL NOT be enforced against
| them, be placed in each Of their hands.
A circular from yourself, accompanied by
the list, should also go to the Vigilance
Committee, or the most reliable Democrats
in each election district, for private use by
them.
also wish to furnish to every election
officer COPY OF the decision Of the Supreme
Court. Forward me their names and post
| Office address.
! Where we have the President Judge, tho
I case Is very pam one. 1'he votes MUST
BE POLLED, and you MUST THREAT
EN the Republican officers and FULFILL
YOUR THREATS. This will dispose OF
the matter in the Democratic counties In
those counties in WLich the Republicans
have the Judge, Juries and District Attor-
ney, we must be especially active in sus-
tanning and upholdiug our election officers,
and if we can succeed in getting them right,
the whole trouble is reduced to Republican
districts in their counties. Here the lists
again become useful, and advise that our
friends change the voter (if it can be done)
INTO A DEMOCRATIC DISTRICT
OVER TEN DAYS BEFORE THE
ELECTION, and also provide themselves
with certificates to strike their men in re-
turn. If we carry this out we will neutral
ize their great game, and whip them with
their own weapons.
Please require our friends to keep accu-
rate lists of all voters who may be rejected
on election day.
Courage, frmness and clear instructions
as to duty, and we viii easily win the fight
Very Respectfully yours,
WIN. A. WALLACE, Chairman.
COMMENTS
Rooms UNION STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEES.