Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-11-17
THE PATH OF DUTY.

4
The writer of the subjoined communication W.
have not the pleasure Of knowing personally, bu
as he has frankly and honorably assumed, by hi.
proper name, the responsibility Of his suggestions
we are not left to doubt his good faith in the re-
commentators which he submits for the guidance
of those citizens whose hopes and conscientious ef
forts have been disappointed by the result of the
recent Presidential election. Without venturing
any opinion on the propriety Of the course which
he recommends the Democratic party, as party,
to adopt, We can say for ourselves, as individual
citizens, that as this is not the first time by many
during our protracted experience that We have
been called to endure similar disappointment,
we have not now to learn the duty Of acquiescenoe
in the Illustration Of our honest aspirations, that
it is the part of patriotism as well as honesty to
wage no factious opposition to the successful COM
petitor; but hope for the best and pursue that
even path which we have ever prescribed to our
selves of judging all Administrations by their acts
to "praise where we can and blame where we
must" and keep in mind, under every adversely,
the consolatory saying Of the great poet, that
"In things evil there is some soul of god
"If men ObservDgy would dstil it out "
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac,
Saturday. November IL, 1864.
The election s over and the results known. Abraham
Lincoln s for the second me elected to the Presidency
Of the United States The fat Of the American people has
gone forth and is rrevocable 1t matters not what our
individual preference may have been in regard to this high
Office must now, good citizens, recognising
the msssty of the law lay aside all party anmoses, ga
ther around the Administration and lend hearty sup
port s efforts to restore the Union The majority Of
the people having decided in favor of the policy heretofore
pursued by e1onerates Democrats from all
concern in our national affairs In this crisis Of the
ton with the rebellion still presenting not merely bold
'front.' but strong and determined one have duty to
perform equal to that resting with the party in power.
We cannot times Of peace and prosperity perform
part by simply acquescDg in and being obedent to tho
authorities The times demand something more than mere
aegatus patriotism 1t is duty to pledge anew our
faith that tho traitors in may trembe, and that the
world may that unit and in earnest in the
of the Go vernment The effect Of open and frank
resolve from the Democratic leaders in Convention
sembled to stand firmly by the constituted authorities in
this trial. would dishearten enemies arrayed in
against us; would inm date the open opposers Of
the Government in mdst would recall to the right
path those that have been wandering IN doubt would put
an end to rioous demonstrations by dsascted parties
would aay the fears Of the tmd in short would unite
the nation in harmonious action, give such tone and
character to s to guarantee speedy success in
efforts to lasting and permanent peace with
all the rights of the Government restored write the
wish of many Democrats in the army when suggest that
the true and of the party those who receive
the patriotic sentiments expressed in General McCleans
letter of acceptance" code of principles to guide
their actions in the future to call Convention in Of
the large cities for the purposes mentioned above well
to organize for the future, with record that will at
tract instead of repeng. We feel that when men were
admitted into the counses Of the Democracy whose opn
ions and principles eschewed by all the party orators
and by such bodies of the New York Democratic
State Convention that her generosity abused and her
good weakened There two great results to be
obtained by such q Convention 1t will give more
decided character and unity to tho nation, and will
enable the party to plant itself firmly in the conf.
dence of the people. We have thus briefly written
to call attention to this question which has been no little
canvassed in the army Let those in position to do act
as well write. Let the question be agtated until the
object is effected, when be satisfied that have
done our duty not merely negatively, but positively
B. F. FISHER.