St. Paul weekly Minnesotian. (St. Paul) 1860-1861, 1860-11-09
Editorial Correspondence oithe Pioneer Democrat.

DETROIT, Oct Goth, 1860.
If the Devil had taken the Douglas managers
into his unhoiy Keeping, at the commencement
of this canvass, he could not have whispered
in their ears a more baneful word than "Fu-
sion"
Fusion has not merely beaten Douglas it
will be fortunate If it does not disgrace him.
In New York, where Fusion had its birth, its
total support will fall short of the legitimate
Douglas strength. Our intelligent friends all
say that the Dry Goods mongrel ticket will poll
fewer votes in that State than the straight.
Douglas ticket would, if it had been firmly and
honestly adhered to.
Thousands of Douglas men will vote directly
for Lincoln; other thousands will remain dis
gusted at their homes.
1t was bad enough that the cause of Douglas
should have suffered in this way through the
reckless management OF politicians, beyond his
control, aud whose interests are bound up IN
local success it is worse, and past endurance,
that the dishonest scheme should receive the
sanction and support OF his associate on the
Presidential ticket.
Yet this last humiliation and disgrace has
been pat upon us by Herschel V. johnson.
You will have seen that he was announced to
speak al "Union meeting" in New York, on
the oath ult.- sandwiched in between Gen.
Coombs, an American, and Col Helm Brock
tie. Coombs and johnson spoke, and both en-
dorscd Fusion Helm was probably, and for
tunately sober, and so, saved himself from
disgrace by declining to act the pars assigned
him in the programme.
If johnson has ever been editorially compil-
mented as a man of nerve and honor, want TO
take it back, without reserve.
The peunsylvaniaus, if possible, have out
fusioned the New Workers.
1t is understood in New York. that, while
seven OF the electoral candidates favor Brock
4 liz. an hnc f,r nnr, ,loc
il that number will elect him.
But, in Pennsylvania, the Douglas managers
have Withdrawn the straight Douglas ticket, and
urge the support of the original one, which
has on it number of Breckites, who have pub
l,cly announced, in print, that will never vote
for Douglas under any circumstances whatever.
So the tens of thousands III the Keystone
State, who love Douglas and his principles, are
deprived, by the action of Douglas friends, of
the privilege of casting even a fractional vote
for him, unless they stultify themselves at the
same time by voting for his sworn enemies.
Whereupon, large fraction Of those thou
sands will not vote at all, or else they will vote
for Lincolp--a bitter but an inevitable alterna-
tive.
Aad thus runs Fusion in the great leading
States.
II would be fortunate if it's influence could be
confined within the localities where its policy
has been adopted But this cannot be done.
The canvass is not one of separate, detached
fights, but q single, national conflict; and be-
ing such its tone is given by the great States
whose influence is controlling in politics. as in
everything else.
Hence Fusion has demoralzed the Douglas
movement to the EXTREMIST borders of the
Union.
We feel it in Minnesota though gui,tless of
it's crimes, and its blunders, which are worse
than crimes.
We shall feel it on the Sixth of November TO
an extent that will justify ''cussn' in a chris
tian for we shall be cast into u minority by it
of from five to ten Thousand votes.
xJAll the accounts from the South justify the
predictions which were made by the it0aear d.
Democrat following the elections in Pennsylva
MIA, Ohio and Indiana.
The vote OF the South will be purely sectional,
and for its EXTREMIST candidate Breckenridge
This is shown not merely by accessions which
are made day by day to his support, but BY the
sudden growth and manifestations of Disunion-
ism on which the whole Breckenridge movement
is based.
When the old friends and supporters of
Douglas in the South state without reserve,
that the election of Lincoln would in itself JUS
tity secession, they have travelled about as far
t0lUards Disunion as they can without reaching
it. A single step will take them into the Breck-
inridge ranks, and that step will be taken on
cleStioH udg
For one, inasmuch as it must be so, am
not sorry 10 see this canvass assuming sec
tional phase.
am getting little curious to ascertain the
strength of the Union, and whether it has any
cohesive power in it or not.
I'm little curious, too, to have the quality
of Southern chivalric blood fairly tried, and to
see if it is really dangerous explosive find.
I've q notion, just at the present, that it's
rather watery and thin
To have this question of Union or Disunion
decided--to so shape the canvass that the
Southern ultras will be brought directly up to
the rack, and be made to face their own music,
this is about the 0uiy point left in this can
yass for the friends of Douglas to consider.
These Southern ultras have forced the con-
test into its sectional shape.
The first duty Of Northern men is to rebuke
them by their votes.
If this rebuke can be best administered
through Douglas, let his friends stand by him
if it can be done only through Lincoln, why let
it be done, any how.
The end will justify the means.
E. s. G.