Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-11-17
THE CONTEST OVER


THE CONTEST OVER
The great political contest in the United States is
now over. The last election among the several
states for the choice presidential electors was held
IN South Carolina the eleventh of the present
month. The die is cast and the result will speedily
be known throughout the length and breadth of the
nation 1t may not be uninteresting to review some
of the leading features in the past contest for the
purpose of showing the unparalleled ascendency
which political exciemens are suffered to gain over
the public mind. 1t may perhaps be premature TO
charge the American people with want of moral
honesty IN political Matters but the sincerity of
great mass of ardent politicians may be justly ques-
toned. If Martin Van Buren, has been reelected 10
| the presidency, we have the poSuira assertion of
hundreds of thousands of politicians that the coun-
try vail be ruined-its liberties speedily overthrown;
and ghtfuf DIES potism established over the people
All these calamies together with multitude of
others, equally to be deprecated have been declared
in conventions of the people in every portion of the
Union, awaiting the nation upon the re- election
Of Van Buren,.
On the other hand we have the positive declaration
of thousands and hundreds of thousands that the
election of Gen. Harrison will prove the death knell
of American liberty and the downfall of the republic
He has beeh declared thousands of times in conven-
tons of the people, traitor, coward, dotard, and
enemy to freedom 1t has been declared that his
idiocy is 50 notorious to require his being commit
ted to Keepers in order restrain his ooleries and
extravagancies. His keepers and those who are to
form his future advisers, are represented to be
of political cannibals who will make havoc of liberty
and eat out the substance of the people.
In either case therefore, f one half of the caami
ties which lciSe politicians have predicted prove rue)
whether Van Buren, Is reelected or Harrison has
been made his successor, the worst of evils which
can possibly belal people, await the nation
What sad catastrophe then, has befalen the repub-
lie? How deplorable the. condition of the people!
Time will soon show how much reliance may be
placed upon the assertions and predictions of ardent
politicians. Notwithstanding all the frightful evils
which II has been declared would be the inevitable
consequence, resulting from the election of either
candidate: we apprehend no one will be surprised,
if after all, the country still maintains its freedom
and independence. The sun will continue to rise
and set as usual-the seasons will continue to move
round in their wonted order. The husbandman will
till the SOIL and the earth will bring forth her fruits
as usual; the mechanic will continue to move on as
In times past. None of the vanqushed party will
lose their heads, though in a certain event, some
thousands may lose their Offices. There will be no
civil war-it there is revolution it will be a blood
less People therefore, need bar their doors
or take any unusual precautlons-all trades and oc-
equations, will doubt pursue their course as in
former days
What then becomes of ali the flaming declarations
of ruin, anarchy, disunion and pread desruc-
ton which politicians have been vocierating during
the last twelve months, certain to come upon US?
Were these declarations made in sincerity and no.
nesty of purpose; they intended to frighten
the weak minded and the ignorant? In govern
ment ofthe people there will always be difference
of opinion, with respect to the administration oflaw
and justice this is natural, and grows out ofthe ma
ture of republican institutions. To charge all who
differ from us in opinion political matters TO be
enemies of their country, is ridiculous absurlity
1t folly to suppose that there any considerable
number of electors in the United States, who would
willingly be the instruments of overthroWing the IL
berries of the country. We entertain higher and
more exalted opinion Of great majority of the free
men of all parties, than TO believe them capable of de-
signing the downfall of our republican institutions
Our government is government of measures-these
measures are at the will and disposal of tie people:
and upon the wisdom Of these measures depends the
prosperity and safety ofthe republic. Every enlgh-
tened eector is sensible of this and hence it is not
strange, that difference of opinion with respect TO
measures should create strong political feelings
But it is folly to assert that an honest differ
ence of opinion cannot be entertained in relation to
measures, by opposite political parties.