Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-01-29
The Triumph OF Popular SOve-
reiRMfY.

S1Ou CHtoh, TIC LnOSG ululcul
thing often is to get the vanquishet
party to acknowledge their defeat
Pride, or some other evil passion, is s.
apt to suggest excuses, apologies, AM
doubts, that the real truth as to a tri
umph is obscured and brought intoques
ton. Since the presidential election
we have observed with silent amusemen,
the ingenious shifts and devices by
which the Fremont organs have laborec
to deceive themselves and others in re-
gard to the extent and significance Of
the democratic victory. We have not
cared to diminish any small modicum OF
comfort which they might derive from
their deceptious apologies and evasions
Contented fully with the result ourselves,
and imposing implicit confidence in the
wisdom and patriotism of the incoming
administration, we have been willing to
abide the test of time as to the fruits of
our victory. Knowing that the contin-
uance of democratic policy was secured,
it has given us no concern to see our
defeated opponents magnifying their
strength, and plucking up courage for a
renewal of the contest in 1860. These
were privileges of the vanquished of
which we lave had no disposition to de-
prive them. But, as the defeated party,
they have at length transcribed the
bounds of legitimate Dragging, and are
seeking to make a fraudulent a~ppropri-
alton of the fruits of our victory. To
this we are, compelled to object.
The great battle was fought on the
issue whether the people of a Territory
should have the right to regulate their
own domestic institutions in their own
way, subject only to the Constitution,
or whether Congress sho uld prescribe
for them the character of their ~institu-
tions, and, consequently determine who
should be entitled to residence, and what
kinds of property the people should own.
As Mr.. Buchanan, entertaining the for
mer views. was elected, and Col. Ere
mont, entertaining the latter, was de-
feated, people of unsophisticated com
non sense concluded that the democrats
had achieved a triumph. But it would
seem from the black republican organs,
especially the quintuple allies in New
York, that is a mistake. Not that Mr..
Buchanan is not elected-that fact is
conceded, though even that is done most
reluctantly-but still the benefits of his
triumph, say they, have Injured to the
republican party. 1t is, at last, discov-
cred that law and order have been re-
stored in Kansas; that the rights of per-
sons and of property are now observed;
that robberies and murders are detected
and punished; that armed intruders,
whether from the South or the North,
are successfully excluded; and that all
further resistance to the laws of Kansas
has ceased. All this, the Legitimate
result of the wise, energetic, and resolute
policy of Gov. Geary, is seen and adj
mitted by the black republicans; but
they say this happy result is proof that
the real victory is on their side, although
their presidential and congressional can
didateshave been beaten. They say that
Kansas is now sure to be a free State, and
from that premature assumption they
jump to the conclusion that the victory
is theirs, although they lost the late
presidential and congressional elections.
This tissue of erroneous reasoning
and false conclusions is based upon two
material errors of facts as to the past,
and an assumption as to the future
which may or may not be realized.
The first error of fact is, that the pol
icy by which Gov. Geary has restored
the, dominion of law and order in Kan
sas has been adopted since the presi-
Dental election. The truth is, that
Governor Geary went to Kansas with
the same policy which both of his pre-
deeessors. were instructed to follow
that policy tcas to see that the provisions
ofhe Kansas M,o az their rue spirit
should be Jaah.fuzly executed, and especi-
oHyH that the people Of the Territories
should enjoy the right Of regulating their
domestic institutions an their oucn qcay,
uainyPuenced and masna5arrasscd by ertra-
moons Influences and appliances. Gov.
Reeder was expected to pursue this pol
icy, but he allowed his attention to be
first diverted to schemes of land specu-
lation, and afterwards suffered himself
to become the supple tool of the Emil
grant Aid Societies in their effort to
abolitionize the Territory. Governor
Shannon went-out-with the same in
struetions as Gov Reeder, but he lack
ed the energy and decision to meet the
obstacles which GOV. Reeder's blunders
had entailed upon him. Coy. Geary
vent with-the same instructions which
had-been given to both of his predeces-
L. - IL