Schenck, "the hero of Vienna," who, although with out military education, military talents, or military experience, had been made a major-general by Mr. Lincoln, and was placed in command at Baltimore, with a large body of troops under his orders. A bitter radical himself, in him the leaders of the radical republican party in Maryland found a ready and willing ally.

There were two parties in Maryland, as there had always been two parties in all the States: the Democratic, or rather the Conservative party, embracing all the old Clay and Webster Whigs; and the Republican, or rather the Radical party, embracing the abolitionists. The latter were in a very small minority. The Conservative, or Democratic party, embraced fully four-fifths of the inhabitants of the State, and all the old residents and persons of property. The Republicans were new settlers, people from the New England States, persons of no property, and comprised, indeed, a class who would have remained forever without influence in the government of the State. Their total strength in 1860 was only two thousand two hundred and ninety-nine votes. In the election for President held in that year, the Democratic candidate for President received ninety thousand two hundred and eight votes, and Lincoln, the Radical candidate, only two thousand two hundred and ninety-nine. That was

the last free election that ever took place in Maryland until the election for members of Congress and members of the State Legislature in November, 1866. In 1863, 1864, and 1865, the whole State was overrun by hordes of soldiery from other States, and all the elections were controlled by bayonets.

In 1863, a State constitution was framed by a radical Republican convention, which was utterly repugnant, in its character, to the Democratic citizens of the State. When this constitution was submitted to a vote of the people, it was rejected by a majority of one thousand nine hundred and forty-three votes. But there was a body of two thousand five hundred soldiers stationed at and near Baltimore. The military authorities ordered these soldiers to vote, and by their votes a majority of seven hundred and ninety-eight votes was secured for the constitution. All of these facts will be found recorded in the newspapers of the day, particularly the New York World, and the Baltimore American, from Oct. 18 to 25, 1863. Thus was a constitution, repugnant to their wishes, and which had actually been rejected by a majority of one thousand nine hundred and forty-three of her own citizens, fastened upon the State of Maryland. The Governor of the State addressed the following letter to the President, on the subject of this military interference with elections in Maryland :—

GOVERNOR BRADFORD TO THE PRESIDENT.

"EXECUTIVE OFFICE, ANNAPOLIS, Oct. 31, 1863. "TO HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT LINCOLN:

SIR-Rumors are to-day current, and they reach me in such a shape that I am bound to believe them, that detachments of soldiers are to be dispatched on Monday next to several of the counties of the State, with a view of being present at their polls on Wednesday next, the day of our State election. These troops are not residents of the State, and consequently are not sent for the purpose of voting; and there is no reason, in my opinion, to apprehend any riotous or violent proceedings at this election; the inference is unavoidable that these military detachments, if sent, are expected to exert some control or influence in that election. I am also informed that orders are to be issued from the Military Department on Monday, presenting certain restrictions or qualifications on the right of suffrageof what precise character I am not apprised-which the judges of election will be expected to observe. From my knowledge of your sentiments on these subjects, as expressed to Hon. R. Johnson, in my presence, on the 22d instant, as also disclosed in your letter of instructions to General Schofield, since published, in reference to the Missouri election, I cannot but think that the orders above referred to are without your personal knowledge; and I take the liberty of calling the subject to your attention, and invoke your interposition to countermand them. I cannot but feel that to suffer any

military interference in the matter of our election, or to prescribe any test of oath to voters, when all the candidates in the State-with the exception, perhaps, of two or three in one Congressional district, are all loyal men-would be justly obnoxious to the public sentiment of the State. There are other reasons why such proceedings would appear as an offensive discrimination against our State. Our citizens are aware that highly important elections have recently taken place in other States, without, it is believed, any such interference by the government authorities, and, if votes by hundreds of thousands have been allowed to be cast there without objection, and with no limit upon the elective franchise, other than the State laws prescribe, and where one, at least, of the candidates so supported was considered so hostile to the government, that for months past he has been banished from the country, certainly any such interference as between the loyal men now candidates in this State, would, under such comparisons, be more justly objectionable, and finds nothing in the present condition of things here to justify it. I rely, therefore, upon your Excellency for such an order as will prevent it. I have the honor to be, with great respect, your Excellency's obedient servant, A. W. BRADFORD.

Governor Bradford also issued the following proclamation:

PROCLAMATION BY GOVERNOR BRADFORD.

"STATE OF MARYLAND, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

ANNAPOLIS, Nov. 2, 1863.

"TO THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE AND MORE ESPECIALLY THE JUDGES OF ELECTION :—

"A military order, issued from the headquarters of the "Middle Department," bearing date the 27th ult., printed and circulated, as it is said, through the State, though never yet published here, and designed to operate on the approaching election, has just been brought to my attention, and is of such a character, and issued under such circumstances as to demand notice at my hands.

"This order, reciting 'that there are many evil disposed persons now at large in the State of Maryland, who have been engaged in rebellion against the lawful government, or have given aid and comfort, or encouragement to others so engaged, or who do not recognize their allegiance to the United States, and who may avail themselves of the indulgence of the authority which tolerates their presence, to embarrass the approaching election, or through it to foist enemies of the United States into power,' proceeds, among other things, to direct all provost marshals and other military officers to arrest all such persons found at or hanging about or approaching any poll or place of election on the 4th of November, 1863, and report such arrest to these headquarters.'

"This extraordinary order has not only been issued without any notice to, or consultation with the constituted authorities of the State, but at a time and under