The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1863-10-09

other.
Our country is in double peril. Mr..
Davis aims a vital blow BY the attempt.
ed disruption OF the Union, and Mr..
Lincoln has assumed despOtic powers,
under the plea of carrying on the war
1t is then the duty of every good citizen
to maintain and encourage our gallant
armies in resisting the disruption of the
Union, and to resist at the ballot box,
the eucrouchments upon their liberties
by Mr. Lincoln.
Would that this statement was over.
drawn. Unfortunately, it but feebly
conveys an idea of the evil which threat.
ens us. For the first time in the hiSto.
ry of our country has President sub.
stantially proclaimed himself Dictator,
and by the declaration of martial law
from California to Virginia, and from
Maine to Louisiana, made the military
paramount 10 the civil power, without
regard to the local existence or non
existence Of war.
Is it the purpose Of Mr.. Lincoln to
suppress or corrupt the elective fran.
chise, by the agency Of the sword
Let Us reflect moment before We
reply.
Was Connecticut d theatre OF war
during the last Gubernatorial election
when three Thousand Republican sol,
ders were sent to carry, and did carry,
the election against Thomas IL. Sey.
mour, while at the same election, Demo.
cratic soldiers, desirous of voting for the
candidate Of their choice, were refused
hurloughs9 If Mr.. Lincoln does not
seek to control elections, why this dis
crimination between Republican aud
Democratic soldieras Was New Hamp
shire .Seatre 81 war OH the 18th of
last Murch? If not, where was the
semblance Of excuse for the President
to interfere in the elections ofthat State;
aud why did he, by II gross abuse Of
power, dismiss Lieut.. A. j. Edgerly, Of
the 4th New Hampshire Infantry, for
voting the ticket Of his choice 2 That
act Of supreme wrong was enforced by
Special Order No. ll9, issued by the
ccmmanl OF thg President, over the sg
natnre Of the Secretary of War,
viii not stop to comment upon the
armed interference in the elections Of
Kentucky, Maryland, Delaware and
MiSsouIi-facts are fresh in the memo>
ry OF every citizen.
For the first time have citizens been
arrested without legal charge, con-
demned without legal trial, and incar.
cerated in military prisons, without re-
dress or appeal.
For the first time--ani the people
willing, it will be the last,--for the frst
time in the history of this Government
has citizen been arrested for exercising
the invaluable right of free discussion
and in violation of the Constitution oil
bis State, been sent into exile, and for.
} ced to seek protection under foreign
flag.
For the frst time, in our history, has
an exiled, banished man, been chosen a:
t the candidate of great party, for th'
highest Office within the gift Of the peo
, pie OF his State; and if the citizens o
t Ohio are worthy of the freedom bequeth
t ed to them by their sires, for the frs
time will an exile be recalled from BIZ
banishment to act as the chief magis
trate of people sought to be enslaVed
, but determined TO be free.
/, | am forced to believe that the Presi
dent either does not desire the preser
vation of the Union, or that he does moi
comprehend the means by which thai
eud can be attained. In either case
tce need a change in The administration
of the government. We want states
men who can rise to Il level with the cri
sis, and who will inspire confidence from
r the lakes to the gulf.
This is the supreme roment in oul
history. The preservation of the Unior
is of vital interest; but the force of arm,
without magnanimity-courage and
skill, without justice aud generosity
never can restore our country to the hap
py, prosperous and glorious position i
occupied prior to the war Even Aus
, tIia has conceded constitution and /
parliament to Hungary, and before thu
j. permanent Union Of our States can b,
q secured, We must in good faith recoguiz
the constitutional rights OF the South
= ern people, and grant them the generou
u amnesty to which they are justly enti
IS lied by their heroic devotion, even to
e mistaken cause. During our war witt
d Mexico, our policy was conciliatory -.
e Peace commissioners accompanied tn
J. army, and we seized the earliest oppOr
!. tunity to secure an honorable termna
e tion Of the war. Aud although an EN-
= pire lay conqared at our feet, we with
drew our armies at the conclusion L
|. peace. without destroying II town, o
'. iismaii;i''iug fort, SSacaa was the Wis
D, dom and humanity ofonr course that th
u Mexicans, who received US with The bit
= terress of enemies, parted with US wit
r. the regret of friends. And at this inc
1t ment the advocates Of liberty in Mexic
o turn to US appealingly for aid.
e In a war OF invasion, one Of two pol
\. cies must he purSued--to extermina,'
d or to conciliate. Can any christia
man hesitate as to which policy shoul
'f he pursued toward our countrymen, eve
'r misguided as they are?
10 Ehe Subjugation of the South woul
. zoe the bondage Of ourselves, for 1t ca
: only be effected through the permaner
Q agency Of large standing armies, an
y their existence is incompatible with lii
l. erty. On the contrary, the sword shoul