The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1863-10-31
THE IMPORT OF THE RECENT ELECTIONS
DAVIS COUNTY MUST FOLLOW.

We believe there Is no one In the Northern
States, within our observation, who attempts to
disguise the plain and unmistakable verdict
rendered by the people Of Ohio, Pennsylvania,
Iowa and Indiana. Copperheads admit it, and
no loyalist is yet found SO weak as to doubt or
seek to excuse the import of the thunder tones
with which the people of these States have
opened the winter campaign. The question of
Union or Dsunion, had long previous yielded
to the onward march of events, and assumed the
more gigantic and brilliant character of strug
gle for Universal Freedom. The issue could not
be stayed. The impenitent Copperhead has now
only to contemplate the irresistible tide which
has overwhelmed him, at the same time yielding
to the dictates of Fate, giving his aid to the
accomplishment of the work which has been
decreed.
Our wise and cautious President is credited
by many with having been the originator of the
theory Of an irrepressible conflict AS if by
the providence Of God, he was called to reign
over the Nation during the existence Of that
conflict. Many Jealous men knew, when the
rebellion broke out, what the final issue would
be, and labored to have such policy govern
affairs. With wisdom, however, the President
has, seemingly, been tardy. But he was always
ready to strike, and the time was never allowed
to pass without his giving the proper blow.
He gave the people nearly two years to learn
that Rebellion had its root in Slavery, and that
the root must be struck, else the trunk would
continue to thrive. Finally, the Decree of Eman-
cipaton was issued, and the rebel allies in the
North gave it a bitter opposition, and predicted
all manner of evil therefrom. But this bold
step soon led to others. The arming of negroes
was another stroke, which virtually determined
the character the conflict had assumed. Another
radical, progressive step, was the suspension of
the writ of habeas corpus
With all these bold and mighty measures as a
creed, the friends of the Government entered the
contest in these elections. They did not attempt
to conceal single action or purpose, but went
before the people with Emancipation, Black
Soldiers, and the Suspension of the Writ of
Habeas Corpus, inscribed upon their banners.
There was no mistaking the issue. The actions
of the President were brought forward for appro
val. His friends were bold and candid, and his
enemies boisterous In their denuncations. The
people give their verdict, and that verdict is
overwhelmingly in favor of the antislavery
attitude of the Administration. The people have
thus virtually said that they do not want the
Union as it was. but direct that the war be
waeed to the end that oil may be free.
The platform made by the delegates of the
Union party of Davis county-and upon which
they propose to elect their andidates-embodies
substantially the principles which the mighty
States of Ohio and Pennsylvania demand shall
characterize the future prosecution Of the war.
They are as earnest and honest as were their
brethren in those States.
Davis County has contributed nobly to the
cause of our Country. and she must not falter
nov. The glorious. untarnished record which
her sons have made for her on all the battle
fields of the frontier, calls ssf te grateful remem-
brance Of her people. Thelives Of her departed
heroes must be vindicated, and. a tribute paid
their memory by handsome majority for the
principles they fought to sustain.