The wisdom of adopting universal suffrage, is brightly illustrated in the following
extract from the Logansville Telegraph, Indiana. We would extend is as far as
could be with safety, but it is not safe to entrust so important a duty to ignoramuses'
who do not know enough to take any interest in public matters, and who would
probably never attend the polls, were they not enticed there by partisans who
are ready to resort to any means to carry their ends. It has been said that
property qualifications place the right of voting in things instead of men;
and Dr. Franklin's illustration of the man who with a horse, had enough to entitle
him to vote, but on the death of the horse was too poor, and inferring that
therefore the right of suffrage was in the horse, not in the man, has been often
quoted as showing the absurdity of restrictions in this important matter. But
we had quite as lief the right should be in the horse, so far as the safety
of our institutions and intelligent exercise of it are concerned, as in such
men as are described below,- just such men as we have seen voting in New
England too! Still, perhaps property restriction is not the right one,
as it would cut off some of our most intelligent and worthy voters; but we think
a restriction might be devised, which would remove the objections urged against
this, and be attended with all its benefits.
"Freedom of Elections.- We copy the following facts from the
evidence elicited in a contested election in Wayne county, Indiana. The details
of the contest show a most culpable indifference in relation to one of the dearest
rights of American citizens. The man who knows not, cares not for whom he votes,
should not be permitted to vote at all. We extract from the evidence offered
by the plaintiff in the contest.
Wm. Rits, being sworn, 'says he can't tell what name was on the ticket-does
not know for whom he voted-cannot read.'
Benjamin Jemison, on oath says, 'he did not know whom he voted for-did not
care for whom he voted."
S. H. Mormon, 'sworn; Can't say for whom he voted-can't read-Mr Akin gave him
a ticket.'
Benjamin Palmer, sworn; 'Can't read-don't know for whom he voted.'
Wm Morgaon, 'swonr: 'Can't read- Gregg gave him a ticket.'
Edwin Wade, on oath: 'Can't say for whom he voted-don't know who gave him the
ticket.'
Joseph Snodgrass, sworn: 'Don't know for whom he voted-never read the ticket.'
J. Rittenhouse, sworn: 'Will not swear for whom he voted-can't read, nor write.'
Thos. Oarball, : sworn: 'Can't say for whom he voted-intended to vote for Finley.'
Saml. Banker, sworn: 'Believes he voted for Finely-won't say positively.'
James Pyles, sworn: 'Don't know for certain whom he voted for.'
Monroe Hunt, sworn: 'A ticket was handed to him-he thinks he voted that ticket,
but cannot swear.'
Chas. Vanneum, sworn: 'Don't know for certain for whom he voted-don't know
whether he read the ticket or not.'
Saml. T. M'Conahay, sworn: 'Is not positive for whom he voted- but believes
he voted for Finley.'
Noah Addington, sworn: 'Says he can't say for certain whom he voted for.'
William M. Neal, sworn: 'Says William Fry filled his ticket-doesn't know for
whom he voted.' |