The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-11-18
The Presidential Election.

The quadrennial election for President Of
this giant republic is over, and Gen. Taylor is
President elect. It is the duty Of all good citi-
TO acquiesce in this decision of the majority
Of the people. II the next administration is
patriotic, just moderate, and wise, its friends
contend il will be, IL will entitle itself to the
support Of all who prefer The country TO mere
considerations of party. II, on the other hand,
it Is rash. reckless, and imprudent, then it will
Of necessity and right, call down upon itself a
most thorough combination of all the elements
of opposition.
For thefirst time in our history, the presiden-
tial election has been held on the same day in
each Of the thirty States, that compose this
mighty and magnificent confederacy On Tues
day Of last week, was presented the most sub
lime polite a. spectacle the world has seen.
On that day, three millions Of voters left their
homes in the crowded thoroughfares Of the city,
and on the confines of the distant prairie, and
proceeded to the various places Of election, aud
there, in the exercise of their own free will,
cast their votes for the candidate that to them
seemed best qualified to discharge the very i'm
portant duties of Chief Magistrate. so far as
we have heard, the election everywhere passed
off quietly, adding another proof, If another
were wanted, to convince any body, of the ca.
pacity Of man for self-governm-nt. In less
than twelve hours after the close Of the polls ca
Tuesday evening, sufficient returns were re-
ceived in the principal cities East and West,
North aud South, TO warrant the conclusion
that Gen. Taylor had been chosen President.
This is another incident connected with this
election which renders il worthy Of remark.
Heretofore the people have been kept in e,;-
element, and an agony Of suspense for several
days after presidential election, but this year
they were relieved from all such pain by the tel
egraphic arrangements. Scarcely had the last
vote been deposited in the ballot box in this city,
when the result of the day was borne along the
wires in all directions throughout the country.
The election contest that has Just closed, was
less excited than any that has preceded IL for
many years. There was an absence of those pa.
geants and displays.of variouskinds which char.
acterised the elections of $40 and IA. We wer,
very glad that il was so-that the people re.
Elected quietly on the qualifications Of the diff.
ferent candidates, and the different measures
Of the parties, without any Of those maddening
scenes and furious conflicts Of passion which
marked the two preceding presidential contests.
Although il is vain 10 hope that an event Of
such transcendant importance as the election
of president will hereafter be permitted to pass
off without much asperity, and senseiess, and
unjust detraction, yet we may indulge the hope
that the people generally, will come TO the con-
C .usion that. such a contest requires reflec-
ton rather than passion, undue excitement and |
acerbity Of feeling are wholly unnecessary and
There is no reason why nation |
in which the right of private judgment is uni
versally recognised, should ever present the sad |
spectacle Of neighbors and friends arrayed
against each other in attitude of hostility for
a mere difference of opinion in relation to the
fitness Of men for Office and the policy of the
government.
Now that the contest has been decided.
whether wisely or unwisely, time alone can de. /
Iermlne, let us all forget whatever Of partisan
violence embittered our feelings, and resume
our old friendships, as if nothing had occurred to
par their harmony. There should be no i'm.
moderate exultation ON the part Of the victor,.
and no bitter reproaches on the part of the de.
eated. We all agree in loving our political in
and in regarding our government as
he best the world has yet seen. We have a
common destiny, and an unwise administration
Effects alike injuriously, the interests of its
nends and its foes. Why then should the bit
eness, which political controversy is so apt to
'roduce, be continued when the question in dis.
ute has been decided II is our privilege 10
ddress as friends hundreds of readers of both I
arties, and our sincere advice to them is. 10
augh at past excesses and to resolve that hereaf
er they will indulge in no unkindness To Others.
lereiy because they are unable to sympathise
nth the views and feelings which they them {
elves chersh. A truce TO partisan strife and 9
'arfare ought to be proclaimed at the close of
he election, and men who have been separated =
ON each other by differences of opinion should +
leet and mingle as though they had not reespd- d
each other with any feeling of disfavor. Il,