The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1860-05-26
From the Albany (N. " Atlas ard Argus
Overthrow Of VIM. III. Seward--NOmina- a.
tiOn Of Lincoln for President.

tiUu VI AluCOln I0f ffeSlUchts
No press has opposed more consistent,
and more unreservedly than ours the po
litcal principles of Mr. Seward-Seward
ism in the State, as a system of politca
economy, and Sewardism in the nation, a.
a sectional and fictitious organization, ha:
at all times encountered our hostility
But we have recognized the genius and
the leadership of the man The Republi
can party was lis work: and his talents
courage, and elevation of character made
| him Its distinctive leader and chief lie
had served in public career, beginning Z
with ms carly manhood as State senator,
/ governor, and United States senator, al
ways first among his political colleagues,
constantly developing higher talent, and a
more elevated, though most dangerous
philosophy, and preserving a private char
acter against which every party ranCor ne
yer breathed an accusation-not even the
rancor OF his own party, which never
! spared name or adame however cherish
cd or venerated. He was, beyond allques-
ton, the man of most stature in the ranks
Of Republicanism and it was because he
was such, that he was struck down.
The men of mediocrity combined against
him. They sought out some second-rate
man and failed TO find one of sufficient
strength; some third-rate man, and failed ;
and STOPPING still lower and carrying with
them their new allies, went down into the
substratum of politics and nominated Lin
coin
Mr.. Lincoln was first heard Of in poll
tics year ago last fall when, limping with
wounds and bowling with anguish, lie was
driven through the State Of Illinois by
Douglas and defeated with the taciu ap-
proval OF the majority by his own party
and with the publicly expressed gratula-
tions of Greeley, Weed and others. Last
spring he made his deJta in this State as
an orator, and commenced by changing for
his speeches at the rate OF 800 apiece. and
was forced TO desist amid such public ex
presslons OF contempt, that he may be
said TO have been fairly hissed out Of the
State. He has never held public Office of
any credit. and IS not known except as a
slang-whanging stump speaker, Of class
with which all parties are ashamed lie
represents no principle and no sentiment
except hostility 10 Seward nor did any
consideration of cxpediency dictate his
nomination for he is- universally weaker
everywhere than TIE New York senator,
who. it must not be forgotten. was never
defeated. as Lincoln never sue uCcceded, III
an election Compare Mr. Sswards
strength with his rival, first in the Repub
hcan party propcr-next among the dis
satisfied and e>tranged elements Of the
Democracy-and then among the natural
ized citizens. a class numbering hundreds
Of thousands of voters!
But it is all right! The Republican
party was doomed to reach its end i'll this
contest. Soon up, soon rotten, Is the cpl
taph for that thing Of mushroom growth.
As age, disease and pain are TO man to
reconcile HIM 10 the loss of life, SO this
humiliation viii make death more accept
able 10 that paa;y which four years ago
was proud, and so full of strength and
of promise. 1t proves itself unworthy of
It's ostensibly high mission, retreats in the
face of its enemies, makes q cowardly ca
pitulation, and surrenders its chief, and
then breaks up and dissolyes.