Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-10-21
The October Elections.

tlle next congress VIII be slightly increased ny
the result of the elections last week. 1t is too
early yet to fix the value of the gain to them,
or of the loss to the administration. In some
districts straight party issues were not made,
and members returned as war democrats are
as likely to be found voting with the admins
tration as against it, on all the vital questions
relating to the war. In a few districts, how
ever, the democratic gain is unquestionably
partisan, and material help to the thin ranks
of the opposition. So far, the result will be
hailed with satisfaction by disloyal people ev-
erywhere, and will be heralded abroad as a
rebuke of the war policy of the government.
The Charleston Mercury, which last week re-
published with commentator the proceedings
of the Seymour meetings in New York, will
this week announce the election of its old po-
htical allies to congress as equivalent to a
rebel victory in the field.
We do nor, however, apprehend from this
result any permanent change of public opin-
ion either in regard to the rebellion, or the
necessary measures which the government is
employing against it. 1t is unquestionably
state of things by which the administration
may be compelled to compromise peace and
restore the rebel conspirators to their old place
in the government. But that such purpose
meets with favor from auy considerable por-
ton of the people of the loyal states there is
nothing to indicate, either in the elections Just
held, or in the prospect of those which are to
to come during the next two or three weeks.
The tide against which the submissionists and
their allies have set themselves is rising; and
Mrs. Darlington could as easily have swept out
the ocean with her broom as they can check
its progress. The anti-slavery policy, which
they make the pretext for their opposition, as
the rebels made the republican policy the pre-
text for their rebellion, is identical with the
anti-rebellion policy of the government, and
they must be taken or rejected together.
While the policy of striking at slavery was
an open question the result of elections might
have been regarded as decisive instructions to
the government in all cases where the issuewa
plainly made. 1t is no longer question, but
fact accomplished. The administration has
taken the forward step, wherein it must be
sustained, or fall. To go backward would be
infamous, if it were not impossible
But the result of elections, whatever it may
be, does not change the responsibility of eve
ry true friend of the country. No man can
be long sustained, no influences will be toler-
ated, which seek anything less than the imme-
date and radical overthrow of the rebellion.
The BosToN COURIER, in its comments on
the presidents proclamation, said =
SIN fine, notwithstanding any number or
species of proclamations, we rest our true
Union firth upon these following plain prop
ositions: If the rebellion Is speedily brought
to close, slavery in the states will remain un-
disturbed If the war proceed through MIR.
Lincoln's administration, slavery will remain
equally undisturbcd. If separation of the
states should be the result, then certainly it
will continue undismrbed."
Here is declaration of ''true Union faith"
that should be studied carefully by those who
would understand the political organization of
which the Courier is principal organ. It's
aim is to save slavery at any rate Horatio
Seymour, the democratic" candidate for
governor of New York, has declared himself
in similar style and spirit. He has said pub
hcly that ''if it is true that slavery must be
abolished to save this Union, then the people
of the south should be allowed to withdraw
themselves from the government" That is to
say, he is more DESTROYS to save slavery than to
save theUnion. The rruptand shameless John
Van Buren,, speaking at a Seymour meeting,
the other night, declared distinctly in favor of
giving up the Union entirely. He would have
a National Convention called; and, if the
Southern traitors should refuse to come back
10 their old places in the republic, he would
deliberately break up the Union by an
amendment to the Constitution, so as to give
them their will and preserve their slavery
President Lincoln means to save the Union.
This is his first and constant aim, and he
will do everything in his power to make it
successful. What he does to slavery is
done to save the Union, and his proclama-
ton shows us the conclusion to which his
experience of the war against treason has
brought him. Very naturally the Boston
Courier, lIoratio Seymour and all others
who mean what they mean, are hostile to
the presidents policy, and seek to organize
an effective opposition to it, determined to
save slavery at the expense of the Union it.
self, if necessary. The Charleston Mercury
prints their speeches and cOmmends their zeal
to divide the northern people on this question,
for their success would destroy the last hope
of the Union by enabling the southern con-
Spirators to achieve their independence
But they cannot succeed.
If we could pack all the southern traitors
into lower Florida, and then separate that pc
ninsula from the continent and float it away
into the southern ocean, the whole country
would rejoice and shout after them,- De-
part in peaee!" Their absence would make
the whole and brighter and wholesomer; and
1t would remove the chief obstruction to a re-
alizahon Of that ideal OF the Great Republic
which has been the joy and inspiration of the
champions and martyrs of liberty under all the
mOnarchies and despodsms of Europe. But we
cannot have such a separation from these troub-
lers Of the nation; and to divide the Union as
they desire would be complete national destruc-
ton. 1t would deliver up the next genera
ti,ns Ia a 1ong series of bloodN and ovbou..;,.. -