The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1862-12-31
Circular Address of the Democratic
State Central Committee.
DETROIT, Dec. 10, 1862.

To the Electors of Michigan: '
We again address you on the subject
of the political condition of tho country.
You have recently passed through spir-
tied canvass, in which your object was
the immediate emancipation" Of the
State from the curse and blight Of radi-
calism. The smoke of the battle has
cleared up, and you may now see what
has been accomplished.
From the official canvass Of the late
election, just published, it appears that
many counties have been entirely revolu-
tionized, one Congressional District has
been redeemed, the radical republican
majorities in others greatly reduced; that
great gains have been made in the lower
house of the Legislature, and the Senate
has been nearly if not quite tied, while
the majority for Governor has been brot
down from over twenty thousand 10 less
than seven thousand. 3i W AI.as ie
1t is thus seen that noble, and, to n
great extent, successful effort was made
for the maintenance of the Union, the
constitution and the laws; and although
the people decreed that the emancipation
of the State should be "gradual !" yet
you have shaken the power Of the enemy
at home, and you may well claim partici-
patton in the victories of your brethren
in other States, who have by their com
bined efforts redeemed the Congress oi
the Union from the control Of the radical
men now welding the power of the ma
ton.
No election Of more importance has
taken place since the organization Of the
government. No political victories 10
this country have exercised a wider infu-
ence than will those just achieved
Statesmen of the conservative schools are
soon to resume the powers of government,
and are to save the country, if it shall moi
have been already ruined by the present
reigning fanaticism. We therefore con-
gratulate you on the democratic victories
in other States, and on the final triumph
already more than half gained in this.
We regret TO be compelled to say that
the expressions at the polls, of northern
sentiment and of northern condemnation
have not yet brought the National Ad'
ministration TO proper sense of its con-
stitutional power and duties. Arbitrary
imprisonments arc still continued, and
the intolerable practice of setting aside
and violating the constitution under The
protence Of saving it, still finds advocates
in high official positions. A grand army
Of brave men, which stand ready TO hur
its thnnderbolts upon the foe, is in danger
of becoming an army Of martyrs" 1t:
pay, health and comfort are neglected Of
arc sacrificed to swarms Of greedy con
tractors and parasites. It's strength i:
impaired by jcalousics, rivalries and polit
ical ambition, and its energies are paral
yzed by divisions and subdivisions, and
by interference with commands in the
field, by politicians and carpet Generals
at Washington, Even the President o
the United States, who it has been con
siderod, possessed honesty of purpose
seems to fall far short of the duties Of hi
high position. The fiery furnace through
which he and the country arc passing
should have inspired him with the senti
ments of the statesman and the hero
The long line of his illustrious predeces
sors, from Washington onward, shoulc
have filled his soul with patriotic devo
ton. Such an opportunity for the dis
play Of true greatness has been rarel,
presented to mortal man. How has MI
Lincoln filled itl Alas! how are tn
mighty fallen" We have looked througl
a long message to get the views Of tn
Chief Magistrate upon the momentou
events Of the passing hour, and to dis
cover What grounds there were Of hop
for the future; but VIC find these grea
events, big with the fate of nations an
of mankind, almost wholly ignored, an
in their place, a bundle Of abstract an
absurd speculations, rs 10 what the pee
pie Of the next century may possibly de
if they have an opportunity and see &
to improve it. The legitimate objects {
the war-the restoration Of the Unior
and the maintenance Of the constitution
are passed over in silence, as unworth
the consideration of Congress, and tb
whole civil and military power Of th
country, and the machinery Of admin,
tration are subjected TO the dictation {