The new era., 1860-04-26
Douglas and the Presidency.

Should there be liberal spirit mani
tested by the south in the Charleston
Convention, Stephen A. Douglas Will
be the next democratic candidate Tor
the Presidency In that event, there
will be an enthusiasm, and consequent
ly a power, thrown into the coming cam
vass unusual even for this great
country. Senator Douglas, whatever r
some may think of his peculiar political
views, combines elements Of strength
such as few American poll ctians have
ever possessed. He is a man not only
from, but of the people. Looking upon
him merely as public man, he stands
head and shoulders above any in
the democratic party both as respects a
national reputation and representative
man of the party. His success thus far,
has been not the result of party com
bination or favorable political circum-
stances. He has fought his way to his
present high position as an American
Senator, and an expounder ofthe creed
throu h opposition that would have ap-
palled any spirit less resolute and deter
mined than his own. 1t is character
istic Of the American people to admire
heroic conduct, whether in tho field or
in the Senate; to applaud the man who,
by his own genius and unfinching ener-
gy, works his way up to eminence; and
to reward with popular favor and cher
ished tokens of their high approval that
man who, self reliant. and independent of
court favor and party power and espion-
age, takes up and maintains against
Presidents, and Senators, and roliti-
clans, what he conceives 10 be the
peoples rights.
This he did in the great Anti-Le-
compton struggle. For this he, above
all other men of the Democratic party,
is cherished by the people. The masses
look to Douglas as not only with them,
but able to battle for them with the arm
ofa giant They know he does not con-
suit self-constituted committees, or per-
form genuhections in the Presiden-
tial mansion, before obeying their call,
and going to their defence They know
that he believes the people are sove-
reign and that their will is higher than
all Presidents and all committees, and
all politicians.
While this popular favor has been
earned by him, not without many trials;
not without the loss of old friends and
temporary alienation Of party influence; !;
not without hard blows given and re-
ceived; not without personal sacri6c e
and oft denunciations from quarters
least expected; yet based upon the tri-
umphant assertion Of a principal under
lying all political rights it will be as en-
during as government itself
We are not designing a eulogy here
on Senator Douglas. We say these
things in view of passing political events :;
moro especially as our opinion Of tn e
strength of Mr.. Douglas as probable
candidate of the democracy for the
Presidency. They need to be stated /,
truly, distinctly and without political
bias. 1t should be done that the Re-
publicans may awaken to a realizing
sense of what they, in all probability
will have to meet. The Convention at
Chicago meet shortly. The whole
question oftheir nomination should be
fairly, fully, honestly sifted The radi-
cal Republicans, among which we dc
not count ourself, think it an eas,
matter to carry the election next Fail
to beat the democratic candidate who
ever he may be; and place thorough
radical Republican in the Presidential
chair. We, on the other hand, o.
weaker faith, and less thoroughly i'm.
bued with the spirit of party. do not be-
lieve it. 9