The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-11-04

ment that seeks to oycrturn and destroy this
Government that we are both trying to pre-
serve--that is threatening to tear down our
mill--snpposc we lay aside our warfare, and
join our forces to subjagate this common en-
emy? Why, my brother Democrat, should
we have faltered in such a crisis? The placs
of the old Democrat had always been on the
side of the conntry in its hour of peril, and
this was no time to shrink from that duty
We should instinctiyely have sprung, as
body, into the breach.
When the war broke out, the Republicans
held the political power in the State. They
invited US to bury party divisions, and join in
a great party to sustain the Government
They offered 10 divide with us the posts of
duty and responsibility. They gave US our
present excellent Governor, and it was a glo-
rious thing for the State they did so. They
/ met US in the spirit of liberality, and have
acted in good faith. But the question was
not one of Office or place--it was one of prir-
ciple-and the Democrat who failed to strike
hands upon it. necessarily admitted that there
was more of patriotism aud love of country
among his old political opponents than in the
ranks of his own party 1g'his ], for one, was
not willing to do. On neither side have we
compromised any principle. We have simply
put aside our party contests. and joined in
common cause to save our common country.
BY this union we have achieved the great
victory over which we rejoice to-day.
IS ] confess myself disappointed in the result
of this contest. 1 made my estimates four
weeks ago, and have the paper in my pocket,
but l am ash med 10 show it, figured the
majority then at $1,000 on the home vote;
but it has doubled my figures, and stands to-
day at nearly 10000 was anxious for
good round majority at home, for was well
satisfied if we were beaten Oh the home vote,
the vote of the army would be rejected.
did not want to deprive onr brave soldiers of
their part in this triumph, but rather to save
them from being cast out WANTED the peo-
pie at home TO dig the grave of treason and
bury it, and the boys in the field to fire the
funeral 'volley over it.
But this is not your victory only-it is the
victory of the whole nation, for in Ohio we
&
9 If Ohio had been taken from the loyal, and
placed among the disloyal States-if her great
civil aud military power had been placed in
the hands of sympathizer with traitors,
r / your cause was lost.sa With New York con-
trolled by Seymour Pennsylvania in the
hands of Woodward, and Ohio given over to
the candidate now SO badly defeated there
would have been nothing left us but the tn
umph of the rebellion, and the dismember-
ment of our Union. Thank God that dark
cloud has passed away--that bitter cup has
: not been pressed osour lips. We have res-
eued our homes and fresides from civil war,
even within our own borders. In addition to
this. we have given strength to the arnrof the
Government, and, at the same time, effectu-
ally crushed out the spirit Of factious oppose
ton, which, by procrastinatiug the war, has
cost US year of time, and sacrificed the lives
:. of not less than seventy thousand of our
J, brave men. Had we been an united people at
r the North, this rebellion would to-day have
been at an end Many honest and well-mean-
). ing men have been deluded into opposition
to the means necessary to crush it. Fol
/
: these, there should be a time and opportuni-
!; ty for repentance. But for the leaders. who
g have sinned against light and knowledge, ane
sought to PROSTATE th e interests of the natioI
for mere partisan purposes, there can be bu
n little prayer for forgiveness. Their purpos
). has been unholy, and their hands are red witt
it the blood of men sacrificed through thei
: conduct, on many battlefield Let then
e remain among us as visible monuments Q
o treason-as marks for scorn. to point it
|, slow-moving finger at-'' They have earpe
+ at and criticised to the public ear. the meas
/ ures of the Government to crush the rebel
+ lion, and yet, more than other means. the
is Opposition to the Government has forced upo
d. it the very measures they. condemn. hav
of found it very fair test, that when man wa
2 eavilipg at the acts of the Government tbs
ir he had treason in his heart aud was onl
h seeking justification fer IL
lei g Again, this is no uncertain victory. "
Id have fought it on the broad issues of sustain
ut ing the Administration of the country in ii
es measures deemed necessary for the crushir
f. of this rebellion. We have lodged no issue
ii There have been no such words as policy al
y erpediency in our councils. We have foug
the battle upon the broad issues presented
us, and the result has justified us in so doin
- And, as result we have gained victo
which Idoubt not will be heard above 4
,r- thunders of Niagara. But let Us not DIVE
" upon the name of the man who was oppos
el- to us. Let him go into oblivion tits il
60. material who led the party opposed to t
ne Government And their great leader has
al least the merit of consistency. He has alwa
Ill openly opposed you, and sympathized wi
nd, rebellion. From the beginning he declar
lg- his opposition to the war. He led that In
he nous FIVE who resisted every war measure
nt Congress- He has never stopped TO decei
he you. Butthe Others whe, calling themsel,
{. Democrats, have borne his banners and fous
" his battles, are mousing and hunting af
ca place and power. Let them never be forg
his ten. -.
on. But the fruits of our victory are not Ct
of fined to our own State. On the third of n,
November this tide, which has been roll
my from the Ohio River to the Lakes, will
eat on over New York, sweeping up. at least 5
ent eco majority for Union. The whole of t
mo State has been ablaze with demonstration
Joy at the result of this election Every c
no. and town from Albany to Buffalo, has b,
aise the scene of public demonstrations of reic
vou ing. have been flooded with dispatches