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his Democratic brethren on the bench of the Supreme Court in adjudging the
Enrollment Act unconstitutional.
It was hardly possible to make an issue more distinctly than was here made between the supporters and the contemners of the
War for the
Union; yet
Gen. McClellan--still a
Major-General in full pay, though not in active service — wrote a letter for publication in the canvass, wherein he declared that--
Having, some days ago, had a full conversation with Judge Woodward, I find that our views agree; and I regard his election as Governor of Pennsylvania called for by the interests of the nation.
The canvass in this State was exceedingly animated and earnest; the vote polled at the election
1 exceeded, by many thousands, any ever cast before; and the result was decisive.
Though the vote of the preceding year had shown no decided preponderance of either party,
2 but gave the Legislature and a
U. S. Senator to the Democrats, that of 1863 reelected
Gov. Curtin by more than 15,000
3 majority, and established the ascendency of the Republicans in every branch of the
State Government.
For — as if to render the popular verdict more emphatic--
Chief Justice Lowrie, who pronounced the decision of the Supreme Court, adjudging the
Enrollment Act unconstitutional, was a candidate for reelection, opposed by
Daniel Agnew, Republican, by whom — though comparatively unknown to the people — he was conclusively beaten.
4 And the
Court, as thus reconstituted by the election of
Judge Agnew, reviewed and reversed
5 the decision pronounced by
Chief Justice Lowrie.
Said
Judge Agnew, in his opinion:
The constitutional authority to use the national forces creates a corresponding duty to provide a number adequate to the necessity.
The duty is vital and essential, falling back on the fundamental right of self-preservation, and the powers expressed to declare war, raise armies, maintain navies, and provide for the common defense.
Power and duty now go hand in land with the extremity, until every available man in the nation is called into service, if the emergency requires it; and of this there can be no judge but Congress.
Justices David Davis (Circuit) and
S. H. Treat (District) in
Illinois,
6 and
Justice Nathan K. Hall (District) in Northern New York, also pronounced judgments in cases brought before them, affirming the constitutionality of the
Enrollment Act and of drafting under it. No Federal
Judge ever made a contrary decision.
Ohio — by reason of the unrevoked and continuing banishment of
Mr. Vallandigham--was the arena of a contest equally earnest and somewhat more heated.
The public meetings, especially those of the Democrats, were enormously attended throughout the canvass, and were brimmed with enthusiasm.
Yet, when the vote was polled,
7 the
Democratic majority of 5,000
8 on
Secretary of State, in 1862, was found to have given place to a “Union” majority on
Governor of over
One Hundred Thousand,
9 and, even without the Soldiers' vote, of more than
Sixty Thousand.
10 And, though the majority on the residue of the ticket was