, 1864-03-01
"A LETTER PROM ssOCCA.
SIONAL." -
The Presidential Canvass.
Correspondence Philadelphia Prees.1

Correspondence Philadelphia Prees.1
WAsurxaToa, Feb. e5, 1854.
The publication of several articles opposing
tho nomination of Mr.. Lincoln for reelection
as President, and assailing his policy and his
capacity, does not seem to have interrupted
Or dIsbeartened tho people in their determine
alton to consummate this eyent, The more
actively thee6 articles ore distributed the
more warmly the people gather rouna ING
Chief Magistrate, and the more resoiutcly
they demand his presentation for another
term. When we reflect that one OIL tne
pamphlets is Gthered by prominent poll
tician, and that the productions themselves
are distributed under the franks (Whether
authorized or not has not yet been estao-
lished) OF members of Congress, II. - eurprie-
ing that they have produced 90 httlc eifeet-
Perhaps this was because Of their nnpro-
voked and un6cem1y Vlolence anu in!us-
lice. For 1t Is as true Of the political as
That uncalled-for misrepresentation ana
abuse Of any man OF any party: always reaets
ppon those who resort to- such. weapons.
And never was there a better or stronger
Illustration OF this remark than the cool ana
indifferent reception BY the country y,oadin o. Lno
Undoubtedly the character Of these criticisms
Inns had much to 90 with the limited mischief
they have worked but the real secret OF ther
failure to damage or destroy Mr. Lincoln's
hold upon bis :conntrymcn Is his upright ana
patriotic course, and his studied and patent
avoidance Of all controversy with men OF hig
own belief, and also hiH refusal to receive and
act upon The complaints Of disappointed and
fuctious leaders,. This spectacle has not been
lost upon the vast audience that watches the
actors and tho scenes in the great national po-
litical drana. They see not only who docs
study the unselfl6h md laborious pa-
triot. md compare him with the mere
aeitator and aepirant; and it is easy to
imagine that such spectators nre prone TO
anger when they behold the Inter engaged
in The enyioue work Of deianfng md cmbar-
ident who did'n go ont Of the way to help
or to defend himsclf-if ever there was Pros
tdent who seemed to oppose, ifnot to disdnin,
tho work of making proselytes for himself,
that man ia Abraham Lincoln. The enormous
patronage his Administration has, in
many cases, been left to his constitutional
advisers, and to chief Of hts party who
have not hesitated to bestow 1t upon their
own friends. When tho President has step
ped out Of his se1f-elected orbit, it has
either been to relieve distress, to reward a
former political opponent now on the side OF
! the country, OF to SEQ that justice has been
secured TO some one whose cause deserved
| and demanded sympathy. As proof OF
| this, I think I nm right IN saying that, If
Mr.. Chase sanctions the unjust attacks
| upon Tic gentleman under whom he holds
pface, it wifi require little talent at figures to
prove that the enormous catalogue oil offices
| lalmost Blue Book In itselD attached to
tho Treasury Department is crowded with
| tEo pereonal adherents Of the distinguished
Secretary. am not ono Of those who dcprc-
calc discussion in these times amonynnen ol
the same belief. Fair discussion among
friends always breeds honest differences; ana
tie confusion Of the contcnding elements at
last clea,s the atmosphere, and allows mcn
to see things naturally and truly. And 1t IL
the height Of absurdity to cay that a member
of Congress, Senator or Representative. shall
not take bis part and play Lis character in
the great drama You might Is well say thai
Newspaper editor should not take a hand In
the ealnc. But neither th9 one nor the other
both being asteed on foundation principles
has my honorable right to use his advantage
to help the common enemy by allowing sci
fish or enyious, or disappointed feelings tc
control him. When hc does, as against man
like MIR. Lincoln, rest insured he will ht
overwhelmingly oyerthroWn. And the com
mon enemy such a man always helps. Wher
he desires good, strong proof Of this re
mark, let him read the coppcrhead papers to
day. Do they asaail anybody with half tht
viIulence they hurl ut President Lincoln
Do They rejoice over any recent political pro
luctions with half the joy they show ct Mr
Pomcrol's pamphlets: Most satisfactory Il
It TO turn from these manifestations to th'
prospect of awholesome public opinion Th'
people, in the army and out OF 1t, have cgf
denly resolved that Mr. Lincoln shall rul
again. There is not name in either Of thes
great sources Of that popular judgment whlcl
must soon be recorded, that awakcns 81
much honest and lastiug enthusiasm ae his
The fact may be unpleasant In some quar-
ters, but 1t Is fact nevertheless.
OCCASIONAL.