St. Charles Republican intelligencer. (St. Charles [Charles City], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1856-12-04
= The Late Political Contest.

| NOW tnaI the DUST ana smoke OF the
recent political battle has cleared up,
and we are in some degree clear. of
the "noise and confusion" of the Pres
idential campaign, opportunity is af-
forded to survey with calmness the
past, and to watch with All earnest So
licitude the omens of the future. The
great political struggle, in one Of its
forms at least is over. Obtaining a
majority Of the electoral votes, the
Democratic party is to remain in pow
er./ Confident Of the support of the
slave-hohing States, that party went
boldly into the contest on the Cincin-
natl Platform. However differently that
platform may have been interpreted,
in different quarters, honestly or for
electioneering purposes, there can be
no real doubt as to its meaning !; aud
therefore its supporters should have
the credit Of. an-explieit-sIatement. of
their political creed. In accordance
with the provisions of the Constitution,
that creed has received, nominally at
least, the endorsement of the country.
By the influence of the existing admin
istration, thorough organization, an
almost magical name, State pride, the
help of conservatism fearful of dis
union and devoted to nationality, to-
gether with the other causes of what
ever complexion that contributed to
the result, the Democratic party have
secured the government for the next
four years. Their present success is
in strong contrast with their triumph
! at the Presidential election of 1852.
Then they met with nothing worthy to
be called an opposition now they
barely escape being sectional !; since,
beyond all question, they owe their
ascendancy to the fact that they are
supposed to be, as a party, favorable
to the claims of the slave power. The
position of the administration to bel
augurated on the 4th Of March next,
as the successor, in spirit and measures,
to the present administration, will be
fearful one. 1t will assume the man.
agcment Of affairs against the wishes
of a vast majority Of nearly united
North, and with asignificant protest
from the South. Whether the formida-
bleness, as to numbers and character,
of the opposition, will be needed,
and more moderate counscls and pa
cific measures thereby be promoted,
and the headlong rashness which, in
it's devotion to one portion Of the
country, seems to have forgotten the
the other, will be checked, remains to
be seen. One would think, in view of
the present aspect of affairs, that the
danger of any further experiments on
the patience Of the North, must be
pretty clear. ..... w.t. ! te
The Republicans are defeated. But,
under the circumstances, defeat is
very nearly a victory. They had to
contend against a time-cemented or
ganization, supported by the whole
strength Of the general government,
and in possession Of the popular rally
ing cries and also against an appear
ance, if nothing but4an appearance, of
of sectionalism. They had old party
ties to loosen and break, not a few
jealousies and fears to extinguish, and
hitherto discordant elements to bring
into, harmony and concentrate upon a
single issue. In view of the task
undertaken, they certainly have done
much. To sweep the six New Eng
land States, to carry the Empire State,
to win the battle in very nearly all
the Western States-to have victory
almost within their grasp, is great
achievement Enough has been eff
fected to show that the movement at
the North has been largely a move
ment Of the people--an expression of
public opinion, Of a strength and char
acter it will not do tosdisregard still
less to exasperate by any policy that
ofends against the rooted sentiment
of freedom: The possibility of united
North has been demonstrated. Wheth-
Ier it is best for the whole country that
that possibility. should not become a
fixed fact, will depend upon whether
those who countenance the aggressive
ness of the slave power, heed the warn
ing it seems to lis they cannot fail to
hear. yz5g ,sr ~ ,4.,4 l,... a,as. F..
AS independent journalists, we have
not entered, as partisans, into the
campaign and whilst our columns
have contained accounts of the action
of all the parties, they have been COM
mitted to neither of them. AS indie
pendent journalists, we have no exul-
4.H.F .N. .