Columbus Democrat., 1841-01-30
THE LATE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

The result OF the presidential election of 1910 is
now a matter of history. The annunciaton was
made in our columns, some Two months since, that
William H. Harrison was elected Chief Magistrate
OF this Union fr four years after the 4h oi March
next. We promised al The time, to give our views
Of the manner in which the canvuss had been con-
Quoted by our opponents, she causes ofour defeat,
and the probable consequences To our country the
successof the federal party. We now proceed 10
The task. The roar and din of the battle is over
the smoke is blown away, aud we can view the Geld
with camness and delberalon. Party feelings may
perhaps somewhat bias our judgment, and give
coloring to our statements, but we villas far as il is
in our power, render in an impartial verdict and pre-
sent true exposition Of The c1se.
II was early predicted by those who were opposed
10 our popular system Of government both in this
country and Europe that the weakest point Of our
federal constitution would prove 10 be the mode Of
elecl'ng our Chief Magistrate The great mass o.
the people, we were told were turbucIt--gnorant
Of their true interest, and incapable ofself govern
ment Hence il was argued they ought not to have he
appointment of their highest oicers--but that sue
appointment should be made by select few. This
was the iavorits idea of Alexander Hamilton, the
master spirit OF The arstocratic party in the conven-
ton which framed the federal Constitution. lie was
defeated in his views The great democratic prn-
"Ie '"hi-h '"s"l~-'sd tho supremacy of tlS pvulS
and their capacity Tor self government was cngralt-
cd on The constitution. Ours was made emphacally
government OF the peopc, In their hands was
placed the appointing power and 10 them appcrlau
ed oil the attributes Of sovereignty. Every four
years, according 10 the provisions Of the federal con-
siilution chief magistrate ol The Union has to be
elected. The people are the electors, aud il is to
them that the claims oitne aspiranls to that high
Office are properly referred. They are the soyer-
egns IN fact, aud while they remain pure and IN
corrnpIed-whie they net upon the enlightened
grounds OF principle and patriotism
"unawed by influence and unbrbed by gain
| There can be no tears for our liberties or the Der.
manency oionr free institutions. But do they always
so act May they not be temporarily deceived and
imposed upon May not appliances be used TO
Cheat them not only out ol their principles, but out
OF their prohity and common sense. The history Of
lheipolitlcal campaign through which we bave late
ly edproves alas too true that such may be the
case, and that an honest, intelligent, and high MIN
ded;pcople may be deceived imposed upon, aud be
made The instruments even OF their own disgrace
and degradation. The election Of such man as
| William Henry Harrison to the Chef Magisracv
| Of this great nation and the means hy which that
election was effected constitute oulcr blot upon
the esculcheon OF the civil history OF mankind than
any that can he found IN > eent or modern times.
DC !: our purpose to trace this Lnlowsrd aud dis
graceful event 10 It's sourcc,aud lay open some oihe
causes whIea elevated 10 the highest station in the
world, a man without principle, without character,
ard without talents,
These remarks areintroductory only. We shall
pursue the subject IN future numbers.