"Should Soldiers Vote?"
The Adams Sentinel—a local newspaper in Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania—published this opinion piece on July 19, 1864 ahead of the 1864 elections in the northern states during the American Civil War. Though there was not an amendment to the U.S. Constitution about this issue, many northern states did make provisions for their volunteer citizen soldiers to either return home to vote or vote in military camps.
The capitalization and emphasized words or phrases are original.
SHOULD SOLDIERS VOTE?
The question, allowing our Pennsylvania soldiers in the face of the enemy to have a vote, will be presented to the VOTERS WHO ARE AT HOME on the second day of August. This is for US to decide, who have not proved traitors in arms, but remained SECURE IN OUR HOMES. How shall we decide it? Their voices cannot be heard in the decision of this boon of all freemen. They are in the face of the death dealing foes, who are battling against the Union, Liberty and American Nationality. Can WE say that THEY SHALL NOT VOTE with us for the man who is to be President, or Governor, or Congressman or Sheriff, or any other officer? When he has proved himself MORE WORTHY, because he has assumed and is performing duties to his country involving life and health at every step. Are we such arrogant coward as to say, you may fight for us, be killed, or maimed for life, suffer in hospitals or rebel prisons, but we do not mean that you shall vote while doing and suffering for us, that we may avoid like hardships.
There will be no shirking this issue. In almost all the States such a law has been passed. It remains for Pennsylvania to do justice to her brave men by VOTING FOR the amendment to the Constitution. The man who is entitled to vote when at home and competent to exercise that privilege, is all the more entitled to say who shall make laws for him and his family while carrying the musket in defense of his country.
As yet no open, organized opposition has manifested itself to this just and righteous measure. The opposition that may be expected is likely to come from the intense peace Democracy. Their hatred to all men who wear the uniform of their country and battle in defense of its flag will place them in opposition to the soldiers. It therefore becomes the duty of the true friends of the soldier to be on their guard and prepared for the secret intrigues that may be started to defeat this measure.
Source:
"Should Soldiers Vote?", The Adams Sentinel and General Advertiser, published July 19, 1864. Accessed through Newspapers.com
