New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-10-06
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..

ORGANIZE TION-U0RK.
Within few weeks, we shall be summing up the
results Of our political struggle and noting just where
its completeness is married by check in one quarter
and loss in another which ought and would have
been prevented by systematic determined effort; and
then, when regrets will have become useless, we shall
all regret the deficiency Of Organization and Work.
There are to-day in our State not far from 1901 900
legal voters When the polls close on the night Of
Tuesday, Nov. 9th, at least so 900 Of them will have
failed to vote. Some will be sick Others superannu.
ated and feeble; others absent on journeys or
voyages; beside a considerable number who think
they "never NEEDLE with politics" though they DO if
only in paying their taxes. And, whether the total
number Of non-voting voters be moro or fewer, at
least three-ourths Of them would vote on the right
side if they voted at all Wha, we need to do, there
FORE is not to make converts from our adversares
ranks but take care that the people aroused and
enlightened and that the greatest possible number OF
them be brought to the polls, while none but legal
voters are allowed 70 vote. l. 10000 Illegal votes
should be poed in State, at letst 5000 of them
will be cast for the Johnson tickets; if 10000 legal
voters should fail 20 vote az least 800" Of them will
be 80 much lost TO our side fhese two facts explain
and enforce the chef duties o., the cluya35 But, TO
be mon specific
/. R,eistr1iioH.- every township and ward-nay,
in every election distrct-a committee should in
santly be formed if there be none already IN e1is.
tence, who shall be charged with the duty Of attend
ing to the Registration of Voters. and who shall be
pledged 10 see that tie name Of ersry legal roT Is
roedaf the first sitting Of he Board close al hand.
Never inquire into the voters politics, but ascertain
Sen, 5.hn 1iafFi aaoh
block. aud take the necessary steps 20 have every
ones name duly entered on the Register. Tho Reg
istry is our shield anl our strength: but for it, this
State would have been disgracel by the casting Of
her Electoral Vote for Mcclellan and Pendleton;
and we must seduously labor to popularze and per-
petuate it, Do not say, Let the other side look
to the registration Of their own voters" for they
would rejoice at any exclusion or annoyance that
should tend 20 make the Registry odous. BE ready,
friends in each Election District with lists Of the
legal voters os perfect may be, bors the first day
of legal registration now just at band; and resolve
that there shall be no legal voter whose name Is not
on that list when the days work is done. Try to have
the list ready in alphabetical order that illiterate
or laundering oficilla cannot bewitch il. We have
seen great trouble at poll because Of father and
son, whose names were identical, but regis
tered, while both appeared and offered to vote These
annoyances can be prevented by proper precaution;
and now is the time. Try to have perfect alpha
betca list Of tho legal voters Of your district ready
beforehand and then see that the registering board,
however hostile Is allowed no chance to leave of
msregister single name.
Then turn your attention to scrutiuizing any add.
tional names which may be offered, Of persons not
known TO any Of you as legal voters. Make no OBJ
lection to any whom you do not knOp TO be nonvoters
but at once institute the proper inquiries and be ready
with your objections at the second or revisory meet
ing Of the Board. Lot no name pass unchallenged
then Of any one whom you shall not knop to be
legal voter. With perfect registration, our battle
is half won.
III, Now turn your attention TO the stragglers.
Ascertain what legal voters in your district are ABB
sent on voyages journeys, or likely to be on cleo.
ton day; who are SICK nfrm, Or enfeebied by age,
and have arrangements perfected at least week be-
fore election for bringing each man TO the polls,
"rsin or shine" Here is where work tells. When you
shall have done your BEST there will be residuum in
most districts Of votes lost by the absence or sick.
ness or preoccupation Indifference of the voters
but you can reduce this to minimum Of two or three
in each election district instead of eight or ten.
Ill Now send out live men into the neighboring
districts and townships to ncte our friends therein to
do as you have done 1t will be idle to preach until
you shall have at least begun to practice. But wher-
ever your vigilants say, ave are doing that in
ON, district" they will be heard and needed.
w. Hold public meetings il you will-no matter
how soon nor how many, if they shall be addressed
by mon of sense, not mere shouters and rouers who
prefer applause to conviction But never forget that
public meetings are mainly valuable indictments to
systematic, pervadng, effective WORK.