The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-08-27
The Simple Issue OF the Preside ntial
Campaign.

The Simple Issue or the Preside initial
Campaign.
We are becoming more and more Disguised
every day with the politicians Who speak from
the stump and the partisan editors who address
the people through the press. Instead of con-
6ning themselves to the real issue of the cam
paign, the would be teachers and leaders Of the
masses engage themselves in petty squabbles
canoe to anybody on the face of the earth
The real and the only issue of the present
political struggle in which we are now engaged
is whether or not party, built up on the basis
Of eternal hostility On the part OF one section
Of the [ MON against the domestic institutions
of another, shall have the administration of the
federal government For we take it that it is
altogether too late in the day for the supporters
Of Mr. Lincoln to deny that the doctrines set forth
in Mr., Stewards speeches at Rochester and in
the Senate, in Mr.. Summers baIbarous harangue
against the South and its institutions, in the
reasonable volume gotten up by the republi
can leaders and published in the name of Hell
per, in Loyejoy's speech delivered in the House
last winter, are the creed of the party, and are to
he carried ont as far as possible when the go.
veIpment Of the country passes into the hands
of the political abolitionists. 1t may be that
section Of the party affects moderate views, and
declares that ii is not the intention Of the sup
porters Of Lincoln to interfere with the institu-
ton of slavery in the States where it exists
But the most active members of the party, its
leaders and founders. are ultra abolitionists,
adAerents TO Mr. Stewards theory that there is
in the United States an irrepressible conflict
between freedom and slavery, and that. sooner
or later. one or the other must go to the wall.
That four. ffths of the Lincoln men are of this
opinion admits of no reasonable doubt Other
wise the republican party could not hold to-
gether for a day.
Opposed to this theory we have the grand
army of Union conservative men-men who
adhere to the old landmarks of the constitution
and the laws, and who are now endeavoring to
throw aside all the old, broken down party or.
CARNATIONS, to forget past differences, and to
consolidate themselves under one banner, with
the one idea, namely, TO defeat Lincoln. and
thereby preserve the Union from even the pos
sibility of danger.
How absurd it is under these circumstances,
for men who are old enough to have little
common sense to waste their time in the dis.
cussion Of merely personal matters such as
those which now occupy the political journals.
Of what consequence Is it whether or not Mr..
Washington Hunt was an old whig ten years
ago: Who cares what Brooks has said about
the Irish, the Pope and Archbishop Hughes:
Is anybody interested in the past political aft
liations of Mr.. Denning Duer or Mr.. James
Kidd? Does the internecine war between
Greeley Seward and Weed interest any
person except the parties Immediately con-
ceIned: Who cares how long Mr. Dean Rich
mond has ruled the democratic party, and who
gives moments serious thought to the war be-
tween Tammapy and Mozart halls?
And apropos to Tammany we may say
word as TO the colossal impudence Of its mana
gers in attempting to dictate, by resolution, to
the Presidential electors to be chosen in No
vember. There could be no stronger proof of
the utter mendacity of this organization than
tina, which is afforded by this impertinent inter-
ference Of broken down prostituted, selfcre-
ated dicta' orial body to a number of gentlemen
who, If they are chosen as members Of the cleo
toral college, will become constitutional officers
for the time being, and will be free by law to
vote for any persons eligible to the Offices of
President and Vice President The audacity of
these Tammany managers is beyond parallel
Under such circumstances, the course for all
good and true men is quite plain. They should
avoid all personal discussions, forget all past
differences, turn deaf ear to suggestions or
recommendations or requests or threats, from
any set of professional spells seekers, and work
hand in hand for the grand obiect-the defeat
OF Lincoln-and keeping the issue Of the cam
paign plainly before the people. By adopting
this course, the party Of treason and fanaticism
may be overthrown. Otherwise, we may as well
be prepared for the worst