The New York herald., 1862-10-23
NEW YORK HERALD THURSDAY, OCTOBER o. 1862

The Real Meaning OF the Late Escc-
tions.
Many aro puzzled to understand the true
meaning Of the recent elections. Some think
they indicate q desire to put an end TO the
war without accomplishing tho legitimate OBJ
ject for which it was undertaken. But such is
not the fact; for when Mr. Lincoln announced
his policy in his Inaugural. and afterwards
reiterated it in his call for .75 900 men, to en-
force the laws Of the Union and to vindcate
the constitution, he was sustained by the unani
NOUS voice Of the people, without distinction OF
party; and it seemed If all old party lines had
been effaced, and that there was but one party
favor of putting down the rebellion by force
Of arms, but in . manner in accordance with the
constitution, and without reference to slavery
or any other of the domestic institutions OF the
rebellious States. Never was there 80 enthusi-
astc an uprising Of nation to maintain
its constitution and its territorial integrity.
Upon this platform of the President every
were thoroughly united, with few insignif-
cant exceptions, which did not weigh more
than the dust in the balance To add strength,
il possible, to this pnanimity, Congress endorsed
the Presidents platform and passed resolution
accurately defining the objects Of the war, strip
ping it of all extraneOus questions and oon6ning
it strictly to the suppression Of the rebellion by
force Of arms. Every idea of meddling with the
domestic institutions Of the South was repudi-
ated Matters proceeded harmoniously, and the
enthusiasm Of united people for the war con-
timed unabated, Notwithstanding the defeat at
Manassas and other disasters to the federal
arms.
The trouble only commenced with the intro
duction into Congress last winter Of the radical
measures which were equally departure from
the platform laid down by Mr.. Lincoln and the
resolution adopted by the national legislature
itself in the extra session Of tho previous July.
The radicals concluded, from the victories in the
Southwest, the capture Of Somerset Bowling
Green. Fort Donelson and Columbus that the
rebellion had received mortal blow, and that.
breaking faith with tho people and with the
volunteers, they could now safely open the
abolition budget and produce their programme
of confscation. emancipation, the reduction of
sovereign States to Territories, and such other
extreme and unconstitutional measures. But
what was the effect. 1t was twofold. In the
South, the rebellion, which had been nearly
crushed, was suddenly revived, and the whole
population were forced to arms. The seces-
sionsts triumphantly claimed to be true pro-
phets The republican party falsified its
own platform, adopted at Chicago before
the slection--a platform which utterly re-
ijec.ed the notion that the federal power
could under any circumstances, meddle with
slavery in any State in which it existed by
the will of the people thereof The seces-
sionists were now in the ascendant and
whatever Union sentiment openly avowed
itself or secretly lurked in the South was over
whelmed. In the North the effect was equally
damaging The wedge of division was insert
ed, and every blow which drove it nearer home
widened the breach, till now at length the
people are again split int two antago-
nistic sections, and the party war cry is raised
once more. Not only is this the case, but the
majority Of the people are opposed to the radi-
cal policy, as is demonstrated by the October
elections, and will be further demonstrated by
the elections in November. Even the republi-
can States, which gave such large majorities for
the republicans, are now arrayed against the
radicals by still larger majorities.
The elections are not an expression OF
the popular will against the war, but
against the conduct Of the war-not in favor
Of secession, but against the radicalsm which
has ruled rampantly in Congress, and has
swayed the councils Of the Cabinet, led on by
one or two Of its members The Cabinet went
on very well for . time, each member attending
to his legitimate sphere. till Mr. Chase, neglect
ing the financial affairs Of the nation, embarked
in the war business, and. by his intrigues with
other members Of the administration, succeeded
in controlling the campaign, the generals. the
naval operations in the Chesapeake and James
river, and even the results of battles. He
caused McClellan's army to be 80 divided that
success was next to impossible. But when a
chance offered he bafied It. His brethsr-in-law,
Mcdowell, was under his influence; and we see
the result at the second Bull run battle. McClel-
Ian was not reinforced, and the opportunity for
taking Richmond was deliberately thrown away,
because it was no part ofthe programme to have
it captured at that time, and by . conservative
general, whom the people might cake into their
heads to make next President. What matters
il that thousands of Union heroes died in vain
among the swamps Of Chickahouiny IL only
the radical game was promoted The consc.
quence Of Mr.. Chase thus neglecting his proper
business and meddling in the policy and man
agsment Of the war is the financial depression
which .has made paper dollar in poor mans
pocket only worth about six shillings, and has
seriously impaired the national credit. The
result OF the elections in Ohio. his own State
is the most emphatic comment on the course of
gacrotary Chaca