Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1863-10-22
OHIO and Pennsylvania Elections.

anal The most important election-day
since tho last Presidential contest gave three
victories for the Good Cause. The sun,
whose fiery eye has lately looked only on
bloody fields, witnessed on Tuesday three
peaceful battles in one day, whose issues
like the issues Of sword aud bayonet-in.
VOWED the veal or woe of the land. The
October that has touched our NAPLES with
FIRE has touched our banners with victory.
Mems faces yesterday morning we're bright
er than We have met them since the day
when Vicksburg quickened every loyal pulse.
Tie American citizen uwiioser-<tcins-the
blood did not dance with unusual joy yes
terday, was not geuerous-souled friend of
his country. We like aan who, when he
hears good news, s;raight-way writes it up
on his face, that all other men may catch it
as they pass. But when we passed the
Worlds bulletin-board yesterday morning,
and saw not a syllable on it, but everything
silent as dead wall we felt sure that the
gentlemen inside had not heard the good
news. We take this early opportunity to
assure them Of the three victories. Our
bappiness loses part Uf its zest unless shared
by our neighbors. ..
What do these elections mean? They
mean that the Cause of the Union is ad-
vancing toward its coronation. They mean
that the rebellion is to be broken, and its
friends put to shame. They mean that the
nation is to live, not to die.
The Common People of this country are
clear. headed and loyal hearted--under.
standing the grandeur of the hour, and
equal to their public duties--not drawn
away from their loyalty by the skillful craft.
lness of misleading politicians, but stand
lug steadfast and unfaltering in their deter.
mination to maintain the honor and safety
Of the Republic. The layal masses of the
North present to the world a spectacle
which will continue living wonder for q
generation. At war for d principle, they
declare that they have counted the cost and
will shrink from no sacrifices essential to
final victory. Under burdens grievous to
be borne, they refuse to shrink from the
toll of bearing them, however full of heay-
mess. Giving money by millions, they are
not yet ready to deny q heedful penny to
the general cause Counting graves more
multitudinous than by pestilence, they
stand as yet unappalled before the face of
The Union must stand, not fall. Itwas the
people shouting, Live the Republic!
Are the people tired Of the war? A farm
ot III thc Hciu nuy grow urou ooioio tho
sun goes down, but he has NO thought of
quitting till the day's work is done. Nor
has the wearied nation any thought Of stop
ping to rest but only of speeding forward
the work. Whose is tempted to despair of
the people, and to doubt Il they will stand
true in the trial-day, let him now rebuks
himself. The virtue, the intelligence, the
good sensa, the Christian patriotism of the
American people. have been signal from
the beginning OF the contest, and will shine
brighter aud fairer till the end. The sons
are worthy of their forefathers--proving
themselves equal in patriotism, in courage,
and in faith. The american stock has not
degenerated, but by these great trials is
growing to nobler manhood.
The Administration will know how to in
tercept these elections. 1t will be strength
ened and cheered by such happy harvest
Of goodwill gathered from the people,
Wise men know that in the present emer-
gency Of the Administration victory over
the enemy in the rear is no less important
than victory over the enemy on the front.
The President probably had double hand
full of dispatches on Tuesday night before
bedtime cheerful enough to give him
pleasant dreams. OF course the Govern
ment is anxious for the cotslant support Of
the people. What is the Administration
without the People? But we draw pic
ture in our minds of the figure of Abraham
lincoln, in the attitude Of Pages Moses,
with Pennsylvania, like Aaron, on one side,
and Ohio like Hur on the other, while
henceforward the battle on the other plain
WAKES to certain victoryl
Do these elections indorse the policy OF
the Government? They do more. Ap.
proving what the Government has done,
they say-This is too little, do more. The
single purpose of the people is to crush the
rebellion. So far as the Government strives
to this end, the people cry Amen. But the
people are not blind, that they cannot see
the only means to this end. Practical heads,
like those which are carried on American
shoulders, follow in straight lines to practi-
cal conclusions. The people have found out
a straight line through herebellion. 1t lies
through the heart of Slavery. Tho destruc-
ton of Slavery is the destruction of the
rebellion. On this policy the people demand
That the Government shall act 1t is this
policy which che people voted into victory
last Tuesday The elections were an indorse-
ment of the Governments forward, not
backward messures-of its aggressive, not
its conservative seal--of its iron-hand, not
Of its silk-glove method with the rebellion.
When the President understands the full
meaning of that great voice that spoke on
Tuesday, it will call him to selfquestioning
whether or not he ought to pour Greek fire
dpon the rebels in Charleston, and admin
lister only wine aud oil to rebels in Missouri.
When the Government year or two ago
was busy with strange triAing which it
,nisnamed craftsmanship, the President was
suddenly brought to his mind by losing an
election in New York, whichresuted in the
incoming of the calamity known as Horatio
Seymour. Another test electionis pending
in New York, and though, tho good cheer,
from Pennsylvania and Ohio will help it
we'll forward, yet the Executive should take
warning by what it lost from trifing with
the South, and not run the risk Of anoth-
of such loss by triAing with the West.
This election has an important bearing
upon the question Of allowing the soldiers
to vote. Pennsylvania forbids, ohio, asks,
her men in the field to vote. Ohio is the
wiser. A volunteer Amy, accustomed at
home to vote, on going into camp beeome
soldierslyet remain citisens. We do not like
the common phrase which speaks of citizens
and soldiers ss if. tketwo- were distinct II
may be comfortable convenience of speech
but its too FREQUENT use inculcates forget