New-York tribune., 1867-02-27
No ifnNEY EdR VOTES.

The practice of buying votes il 50 fagrantly
criminal. 50 palpably destructive to Republican
liberty. that no language can adequately por-
tray its cnormity 1t must be arrested at
whatever cost.
Mr.. u. T. BAENCM. Union candidate Tor ton-
rrcs. in the IVth District of Connecticut. was
lately solicited by friend to spend money IN
n manner deemed Objectionable by Mr.. H., and
he responded "a, became patriot. Here Is the
correspondence:
TonRr>GroS. Lchfeld Co. Conn Feb 20, 1907
T. r EAKNUM-D Dedr Sir: Although Fairfield County
was emf He'd 10 the nomination Of the Copporhead tah9
Congress from the lNth District ana under qu
nary would have been given 10 william
D. raylor Of Danbury YOU arc perhaps AWARE naS ,@y
sake of yours SIMPLY for the pnipose oi usnS % i 40 b
apaust VOu Democratic eNNOngcssllah IL salu W DC
pnI thnt fherrandanie viii expend $4,000 to secure his
clccuO. Already, an Grcdby iio,lhcui 'np saSn s,
10 usk what your intentions ara In regard TO c0untoiae
INK this effort ot the Copperhcad party DO you llte
preaching aud Ne are certain of your success as all our
iliend, a.e wide awake. Respeetfnlly yours
'' BRrnGIroGr. Feb %. 1867.
-rso-Dear Sir. Your kind letter OF the 2Oth INST
Ia, caused paufal emotions. luow wish toSb once I
n that undcr no conceivable circumstances Will permit
doar of 20 be used 70 purchase vote or 10 induce
a voter % act contrary to his honest convictions
The idea that the Intelligent reading men ot NtWEn
gland bc bought like Sheep the shamDles ana uie
he fcrrb struggle bctweeu Liberty and slavery, can
now In this eventual hour Of the national eastence, oe
set up auction and knocked down TO the hshesi pd
der secs "a me ~ preposier%ns as II Is onsy , d
d vtr can tbn, be Induced 20 sell his birth-Iight
'fur n mess of pOtage," God grant that may De nou
sand times defeated sooner than permit one gram Vi so
to bc accurscd by using IL 81 basely -,
Iwl believe that American cltlZchs can tell thc
selves 10 contemplate mcanness Of sappng the very
life lood of our nob. institutions by encouraging natal
precedent which ignores all principle ana m"aln a. soon
,rcveu any honest man. however distinglsheu Tor hs
intelligence aud loyalty, from representing ms p,sc IN
our National Councils None could men si'eTTu
unprncpled VngabOnsls, who by thr iaN lS
Of money would debasch and degrade the irceeh WHOSE
'"' W. sr} grateful a, am for the distinguished honor
of n unanimous nomination Tor Congress IRON
The loyal Union party my District have no H-pnatoh
ing into disgrace the noble privilege OF the pre- eee
ranchisc Think for moment what deadly Mespo.E E Is
being placed In the hands ot Rrants througlout hs
civilized world. with which To destroy suVt apoSlNso o
liberty John Bright and Galohdl, II @ u can ~ Sa.u @
rlpt and degraded. 80 lost 10 just estimate o he ya9
and true nobility of tho ballot that IL Is DouSnt ana So
My dcar Sir any party that gain temporary ss
tendency by such atrOtOus means nol onn po,o ,, T -
body polite Of a free and Impartial enNernn'n,, NV !,
also 10 bring s~f destruction upon i'"e Ana 80
ann nnaccusoIned 10 political life, and know bur little
of thc manner conducting campaign IKE the present.
believe however II s a,,S,o,'S ~ ,r 1 % t9t tbcy shai
dcay proper portion OF the expenses lnculeu % too
spnkers and DOCUMENTS 10 fnhGhith thr voters upon tht
pntcl issues ~ the day. 70 that extent, am willing
and anxious to be taxed; for light ana kuowruse are
always dcsred by the friends OF human rights anu oi
public order. -..
I'm the pcding election Will come from the peckctS ol
thn.n uho uow ms during the Rtbclon doing their
utmo.t io aid traitors and who sl unrepentmg, are
yndirty.y striving to accomplish at the ballebox what
tLrr Southern allies failed To accomplish en thc elu OF
hntue If any of our friends misapprehend my true
scn.cnts mon the subject O bribery corruption, ana
'''"" '''i' wv srrty yours l.. +. BARNUM
PS-The following Is the law OF Connectie"t on 'ho
bribery of clcctotr- . . il. ,. ,,,o,.v
SIC o. No person shall offer or receive any money
or other thing by way OF gift fee or reward Tor euS,
ar refusing 10 give, vote Tor ccctlng hiehpcfh vi %
General Assembly or any officer chosen at an eoctos
meeting. promise procure. or III any WAY cyi, i @ ~
prutuy reward prcfcrnen Tor any Note Etu' u w
lie riyen In any election ana every person suY VI so
doing shall forfeit the OF Si, one nan 10 MN Nho
shall mosecuc to effect, and the othei nan 10 tne ucs
ury oi the town where the offense Is comhtIeu' anu
vy rv nrr>un who shall convicted second time OF
like 0fien,e shall bc DISTINGUISHED
That section commends itself to the oetrnce "t every
awbdng voter aud shall he the last to consent To IT'S
violation. A'i'"'