The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-02-18

but to be for compromise rather than war
They say Very truthfully that the Repub-
licans have tried force for two years, and
exhausted the country, and upon this claim
the adoption of their method as all that is
left to be done. This is the manner. in
which the politicians Of the country pro-
pose to terminate this great conflict.
THE GREAT CONSERVATIVE
PARTY.
An alliance seems recently to have been
effected to this end between certain ele-
ments heretofore hostile. The border
state politicians are the remnant of the
old Wing and Know Nothing parties, who,
all their lives, cherished an intense hatred
of the Democracy. They now unite with
that party to effect this object. The Re-
publicans of the Albany school, under
the sagacious leadership of Mr.. Weed,
who, for long years fought the Van Buren
regency, and finally broke it down through
the agency Of free-soil, are also hand in
glove with their old opponents. Thus
the army of the Democracy takes the
field for the next great political battle,
supported on the left by the followers of
Clay and Critlenden, and on the right by
the special friends of William H. Seward.
Such host may we'll feel confident. 1t
is combination for, victory. The sle-
ments have been we'll shaped. Not in
vain have the border State politicians
thronged the hall of the Presidential
Mansion. Not in vain has the discreet
Secretary of State incurred the reputa-
ton Of having become imbecile. Not in
| vain has the whole Administration suffer
ed the odium of drifting with the tide for
lack of policy. They could we'll afford
to dispense with the applause of the radi-
calls, while they silently directed that un-
der-current which was to refer the gigantic
question, with which they would not grap
pie. to the decision of another Presiden.
tial election.
i THE CONSERVATIVES WILL
/ TRIUMPH.
] The chief element in the accomplish
! ment of this reactionary movement is tn,
war which the Administration is conduct
ing for the restoration of the Union. TIL,
war is indeed the trump card of th'
Democracy; not war for emancipation
not war for conquest, but Mr.. Lincoln
Z war for the Union. They have no fea
that it will serve the end of Abolition
lit has passed that stage. Its results ar,
now in their keeping. All they wish i
its prolongation. In the first place,
, holds the nation pledged to the principl
that the Union is intact, and the Consti
tuition open to amendment through South
ern votes. In the next place, the rcspon
sibility of it being with the Republicans
, it weakcns them sadly in the elections
f And in the third place, its effect is to wea
t away and depress the shareholders, an
dispose them in favor of conciliation. TIL
war, in whatever aspect it may be pre-
sented, is an admirable instrument ft
e them. If it should happen to meet wit
n unexpected success, and defeat the rebe
: lion, the shareholders WILDE brought bac
q just in time to join them in the election
| If it should lag and accomplish no result
as now seems likely, this will inevitabl
S insure'them triumph in the popular vot
! Their theory is-and it is a sound one
that the two forces, Abolition and Sece
sion, now in deadly conflict, have only
be permitted to continue the fight lor
e enough to wear each other out, and caul
Q the political waters to subside to the
J former level.
l. Thus, on the basis of the war, the
e have a complete mastery of the situatio
e and no earthly power can prevent the
o success.
N THE ARMY CONSERVATIVES.
y Nevertheless, without reference to t
~ resultof the war, i consider the chanc
: of the Conservatives in the election
10 superior to that of the Administratio
y Great reliance.is placed by the latter
- the vote of the soldiers; but, in my opi
: ion, this is delusive. The soldiers will
y affected in like manner with the rest
= the people, and, moreover, viii be tir
:. of military service and anxious to retu
as home. They will be dissatisfied from
thousand causes and desire change. T
- suffering and indignation, yet to be cnge
IA dered by the unlimited issue of an irl
9 deemable paper currency, will of its'
ar overwhelm the Administration party, a
~ sink it deeper than plnmmet ever soun
~ ed. But the Democrats, in my judgmel
>" safely calculate that they can take issue
any one of hundred necessary incider
g, of the war, and defeat their opponents
as a large majority. -
a. THE PROCLAMATION AFAILUR
Many suppose that the effect Of I
Proclamation of Emancipation will be
.E so thoroughly, speedily, and cemplett
annihilate and extirpate slavery, that I
!. Shareholders will have no longer q mot
= to act together. This is an egregio
mistake. The Proclamation will have
~ such effect. It can not have any su
~ effect. It's constitutionality is denied.
~ is still unexecuted, and its validity u
Z determined The whole, subject is ,
=. open to debate and final settlement. I
he Judiciary Department is to render its
j cision upon it; and, in the mean time, il
- ~ to be the controlling issue in popu
- election for President. This state
: : things will undoubtedly inspire the sla
- holders with more resolute purpose ii
: ever. Their effort will not, as heretofo
- - be to prevent the Abolitionist from f.
81 ;nr tho slava no n distant and spacnla LOT