Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1867-09-28
To the Union Voters of Ashtabula
County.

As the election approaches, it is proper that
we consider the work before US. With our
usual strength of numbers and our certainly
arge majority, we are beset with the apathy
that is naturally attendant upon great strength
and though we are sure of the election of our
candidates for local offices, our success is not
SO certain, as respects the election at large. Oh
course We cannot admit that there is any rea-
sonable probability that the Union State ticket
will be defeated But there is real danger that
the Constitutional Amendment, establishing the
| principle of manhood suffrage, may fail, and
that we may lose the moral power of our ma
ioritv, by letting it fall below the expected
standard We are not to deceive ourselves in
these matters and we must concedc a feeling
of apathy throughout the Union ranks general
| ly, against which we must rouse ourselves to
action, if we would do our duty as citizens OF
popular government. The elections in Con-
necticut. California and Maine; admonsh us
that anything short of constant, untiring vigil
ance, is sure to bring US defeat-and, in view
the political situation, n,-disgrace.
| The so-called Democracy are making the
most desperate efforts throughout the entire
State to reduce our majorlties, if possible carry
the Legislature, and especially defeat the Con-
stitutional Amendment, thatthey may taunt us,
as they have done, with the Inconsistency OF
forcing free suffrage upon the south, while we
withhold il among ourselves.
As it is provided that all votes not cast for the
Amendment are to be counted against it OF
as il is required that the number Of votes for II
| must be greater than the halt of all the votes
cast, before it can be carried it is very natur-
al for them to expect to defeat US at this point
| Under the prcjudIces that have existed every
where against the colored people, we must cal
culate that the vote for the Amendment will
more or less fall behind the Union State ticket
and while every candidate may be elected, the
Amendment may be lost. To make it secure
against this contingency, it is necessary that the
tLi Union vote shall be pOled in the counties
giving large majoritics Intelligent Union poll
ticians. who have informed themselves OF the
prospect, advise us that the entire strength ol
the Union vote OF the Reserve, will be needed
to make the Amendment safe, and from other
parts OF the state, we are urgehlly aPpeaieo "
in this behalf They call upon ue IS the origi-
nators of this measure, to stand by it, and give
it the support that our long known political 10
sition, warrants them to expect of us.
The resolution proposing this amendment
was introduced and urged forward, by the SEN
ator from this District and County. Our citi-
zens have long cOntended for the measure; and
our Senator and Representative did but comply
with the we'll known sentiment OF their constit-
uents when they insisted upon its passage. 1t
now remains for us to sustain that action, as
becomes honest and earnest friends OF the right,
and as becomes the proper discharge of our OBJ
legations to our Union brethren in other parts
OF the state. .... ..
We therefore call upon you, as union men,
as patriots, true to the principles for whose sup
port you have become famous, as republicans
of Old Ashtabula, to come up to the work to-
day, tomorrow and every day, till the last vote
is poled on the Sth of October.
1t is fact sustained by statistics, that with
our heavy vote last year, there were at least two
thousand union voters in the county who were
not at the polls Let not that be the case this
year. We can poll six thousand votes for the
republican ticket and every one OF these votes
should be given, also for the Constitutional
Amendment This will make its adoption GER
tain.
Let each Union voter regard it as his especial
duty to assist in organizing his township and
getting out the full vote of his locality. Be
particular to see that every vote is polled, and
that as early in the d ~ as possible-and eau
lion yourselves and your neighbors against
leaving the township until they have voted. A
few hours devoted to this work will be suffici-
ent You will be furnished with tickets pro-
perly printed at the proper hour. VIII you see
that they are voted, and in no case scratched? !?
In the name of Freedom, in the name of hu
manity, we make this appeal TO you, that you
omit no proper means to obtain full vote-so
that when the result of this election comes be-
fore the country, it shall be such as will renew
our claim to position in the advance of the
march OF true progress. .t.-
w. c. HowELLs,
&. s. SIMONDs,
S. A. NoRTHAwAY,
JAMES REED,
s. HAYwARD,
TIpion Central Comu,;ttao