The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-10-17

The present Federal Constitution and Govern
ment have been in operation about sevent,
Years In that lime fifteen Presidents Of III,
United States, most Of them elected directly b,
the people, have filed that high position. Man,
political contests have been passed through i;
which II Is fair to assume that the candidate,
and their friends used all honorable means TO se
cure the victory. Many candidates for the Pres
idency, who, when nominated, occupied hicl
places IN power, have felt constrained upor
grounds OF propriety and self respect TO resigr
their places, fall back into the ranks Of the peo
pie and there await the call of the nation, 10 a.
sumo the reins of government. This coarse OF
conduct commended itself TO the good sense o
mankind. 1t showed that the proprietie. of life
we're not forgotten even in the heat of political
warfare. 1t furnished a long line of precedents
that ought TO have been followed. They would
have been followed had We not fallen upon times
when candidate thinks more of empty applause
than OF the proprieties of political position.
1t has been the custom for candidates for Con.
gress to take the "stump" and canvas their dis.
tric's thoroughly on the eve OF Congressional
election, aud opposing candidates not vnfreauent.
ly meet each other by agreement, and discuss
before the same audiences the political questions
which are to be determined by the vote of the
people. This practice also commends itself to
the good sense OF men, and it has the effect OF
bringing home to the minds and to the under.
standing of the people the facts and the courses
OF augmentation necessary to correct political
action.
But il has been reserved for the present Pres.
ldentiai canvas 10 witness q candidate for the
highest place in the nation, if not in the world,
not only not resign his place in the Senate,
but 60 perambulating about the country, re.
failing political nostrums and delivering himself
OF speeches that would do little credit to pole
raising at corner grocery. The heart sickens
at the recital of such gross reimbursement
1t is reported that We are to have an exhbi.
ton OF this kind in Detroit next week. 1t is said
that the "little giant" is to come all the way
from Chicago to make speech in Detroit. This
may be 90. What the man has done before he
may do again. And we say it in al cendor that
the bitterest fee of Mr.. Douglas could desire
nothing better than to see him come on such sn
errand. His coming hero will lose votes to the
Democratic city, county and State tickets, and
because We wish those tickets elected, we wish
the friends Of Douglas to keep him away We
care not how much he Injuries his own electoral
and Congressional tickets, but further than that
we are not willing he should 60. He NAV ill
the "ranche"-a rare thing to see done in these
days, and he may taste again the sweets of pop.
ular applause, but he will do no good at the polls.
His coming may be heralded by the sound of
trumpets. ard hy tho shnnts nc fy~-~-~... n.
worthy Of a better leader, but his COM
ing will make votes for Lincoln and for the local
Republican nominations. We say then again to
our Democratic friends be wise in time and keep
Douglas out of Michigan if you can. Keep him
away We say.-Detroit Democrat (Breckinridge)