Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-04-15


the question is settled. Let our people take
this note of warning and prepare for new
order of things. There is National currency
sufficient in the country for all safe transac-
tons. If curtailment of its present redun-
dancy will have the effect to put damper on
the extravagance of the people and restore
condition Of financial sanity, no harm will be
done.
The Presidential Question.
Wedo not entertain fear ~ to the result
Of the approaching Presidential election.
Whoever is the regular nominee of the Bal
timore Convention will be elected. Allpartles
can hang their hats on that peg. We are
just as certain that the people, and not de-
signing politicians, will control the action Of
that Convention. There is no Disgusting the
fact that the popular mind has settled down
into an acquiesence that Mr.. Lincoln shall be
his own successor. There are many reasons
why this is SO, chief among which is that
he is available. And by this term we mean
that he has been tried and found qualified
He is familiar with the struggle be in part
directs. He is true in principle. His ad-
ministration has been marked with a. few
mistakes as any other would have been. He
has strong hold upon the popular heart.
His integrity is beyond controversy, and he
has made good President. He Is popular
with the masses, but not more 50 than others
we might name. 1t were folly to suppose
that Mr.. Lincoln is the peoples only idol.
We believe Mr.. Lincoln is, however, the peo-
pies choice, and if nominated, as he unques-
tionably will be, few will complain. We are
not, however, among those who believe him
to be immaculate, or that he has always
adopted the wisest plans, and at the right
moment. We cannot soon forget his revoca-
ton of Fremont's proclamation, endorsement
of Order No. 3, his retention Of Mcclellan
in place, bis retirement of the earnest fight
ing Generals, the revocation Of purely mill
tary orders by Department commanders, is.
sued for the country's good, and tbs tenacity
with which he has chung to the Border State
Conservatives. On the other hand, we can
not forget the Proclamation of January LIST,
1868, and that honest simplicity Of heart that
has given the people assurance Of the purity
Of his intentions.
We believe it bad policy for any class of
men protesting membership Of the great
Union party, to resolve upon factious oppo-
sition to MIR. Lincoln if nominated. Our
German friends in many localities are pursu-
ing an unwise course, and one that is extreme
" gratifying to the Copperheads, when they
urge the name of General Fremont, and swear
they will support none other. If the name
of John G. Fremont could succeed at the
Baltimore Convention, it would have no more
devoted friend than we. We believe that
General Fremont is entitled to the Presidency,
because, in the infancy of the Republican
party he carried its standard to the very gates
Of slavery and Democracy, and awakened an
enthusiasm among the anti-slavery men of
the nation, that made highway to perma.
nent victory in 1860. He entered the canvass
of 1855 with no hope of success. In 1860,
when victory was certain, he modestly de-
olined the use Of his name. In 1861, when
slavery and neutrality were shaking the very
Government at Washington, and our rulers
were lrresolute and at loss how to act, the
mind Of Fremont grasped the question in all
its magnitude, and was the first to pronounce
with authority the magic word EMANCIPA-
TON. The people caught up the word and
cried "God bless General Fremont" It was
the solution of great and intricate problem
To that solution, after having once repudi-
ated it, the President came in due time, and
the people cried "God bless Abraham Lin
coln," but the people had long before been
ripe for it. We honor and love John G. Ere
mont, but We will never give our consent to
factious opposition to the regular nominee.
Believing the people desire the reelection of
Mr.. Lincoln, we prefer to leave the question
to the delegates in Convention. Whoever
they select will be reliable Union man, in
whom the people have confidence.
We believe the time fixed for the Conven-
ton is too early by three months. The COM
ing summer months are pregnant with great
events in the military departments. Those
events demand and will occupy the attention
Of the people. During period when the
complete overthrow of monstrous rebellion
is dependent upon the unity and enthusiasm
Of the masses, when our friends are striking
vigorous blows at the monstrous crime of
treason, and offering up their lives sacrifice
tolberty and union, political contest Of
national character is to be deprecated. If it
were possible to postpone the acrimony of
oeos1e' the heat of passion and local divis.
IONS ana d'ssensions that always follow the
nomination OF candidates for President, it
were wise so to do. The charge that this
postponement is desired by Mr.. Lincoln's on.
ponents amounts to nothing. For our p,rt
if Mr.. Lincoln's popularity is 80 short ,ivet,
that it cannot survive the intrigues Of poli.
ticians during three months, if his re-nom.
inatlon is mere matter of time and not o.
popular enthusiasm, then let him take hi.
chances. Don't prematurely plunge th'
country into the heat Of political discus
sion because some mans chances will BIZ
1sssened by delay. Let ~ have ~ much o,
victory IS possible before entering upon the
ereat canvass.