The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-03-17
Tbe PresidentiaI Question.

identity for the reelection of Abraham Lin
coin Since that article was published, bare
ly two of our subscribers have found
fault with or questioned the correctness OF
our views. Those two had no objection to
Mr. Lincoln, but they thought there were
other men as good as he; and they thought
it was wrong in us, to make use of our po-
sition as an editor, to forestalI public opinion.
They were quite certain that if we were in
favor of Lincoln for the next Presidency, our
course was sure to prevent his nomination.
The little inconsistency of their own they did
not seem to realize. They protested strong
opposition to his nomination, and deprecated
the advocacy of his nomination for fear it
would prejudice his chances. They were al
SO bitter on the Legislature for discussing or
tolerating the consideration of the matter as
set forth in the Starks resolutions. They
thought Legislators were sent to Madison for
no such object, and that that they deserved
severe rebuke for their course instead OF the
approval we gave LneIl'
On the other hand, we presume that as
many as forty readers and subscribers have
approved our remarks and wondered why we
have not referred to the subject more fire.
quently and more decidedly than we did
And there is just about that proportion in
this county, of the friends of president Lin
coin and his opposers among the Union men
forty to two! And yet the two will tell
us that in giving expression to the forty, we
are forestalling public opinion-drownlng
the voice of the people in the clamor OF pol
iticians and demagogues. We are still OF
the opinion that the great wave Of opinion
that is sweeping over the land from east to
vest and from north to south in favor ofth
reelection of President Lincoln, comes from
the people themselves, and not from the pol
ticiaus or wire-pullers. The great mass OF the
Union people of the country, though Mr..
Lincoln has at times seemed too slow, or too
hesitating, or too conservative, have come
to have the utmost confidence in his wisdom
and Judgment, and above all and more than
ALL in his honesty! So strong is this conf
dence, and reliance upon this great attribute
that constitutes the ''noblest work of God, :"
that the people, almost with one accord, de-
mand that Mr.. Lincoln, be permitted to I'M
ish up the great work in hand, Of crushing
out the rebellion, and restoring the Union
strengthened and purified. To accomplish
this they are willing to give him another
term.
1t was hardly to be expected that Mr.. Lin
coin should administer the government four
years during such time in our national his
tory as this great and wicked rebellion has
evolved without creating opponents, even
among those who are honestly and sincerely
devoted to the success of the Union cause
Accepting him, from the first, rather as a
choice of evils, than otherwise, they have
| looked forward to the next chance for a
change, instead of giving the administration
a hearty support and cooperation. Nor is
it strange, that such men, seeing the tide OF
opinion setting SO strongly towards the re-
election of the present incumbent, should
feel themselves little, aggrieved.
But fortunately for the country III this
crisis, the very man upon whom almost the
entire Union opposition had centred-Secre-
tary CHASE, has come forward and thrown
oil upon the waves by declining to be made
a candidate for the Presidency. AIr. Chase,
in his present position, ae Secretary of the
Treasury, has shown himself one Of the great
est men of the age, and it may he safely
doubted whether, as a financier, his equal
could be found in this country. Wepub-
lsh elsewhere the letter of Secretary Chase,
declining to become candidate. This let
ter stamps him as the truly great man and
patriot His love of country is before all
other motives and by this one act he has
proved himself possessed of one important
qualification for the high office to which his
friends would fain have elevated him. Veri-
Ily he shall have his reward. Secretary
Chase could see what his warmest friends
have refused to see, that the will of the peo-
pie has gone forth for Abraham Lincoln, and
he bows to the will of the people, instead of
doing, as any mere demagogue and Office
seeker would have done-defying the people
and running if he could not rule The con-
Guiding paragraph of his letter is worthy the
great heart whence it emanated, and we
commend 1t especially to the friends and adj
mirers of Mr. Chase among our readers, as
words of wisdom and patriotism that they
may well study and practice:
'It was never more important than now
that all our efforts and all our energies should
be devoted to the suppression Of the rebel
lion, and to the restoration of order and pros
perity on solid and sure foundations of I'm
ion, freedom, and impartial justice and
earnestly urge all with whom my counsel
may have weight to allow nothing to divide
them while this great work, in comparison
with which passions, and even parties, are
nothing, remains unaccomplished.
ET European dates are to the 4th inst.
There had had been no further fighting in
Schleswig. Italy has rendered an army and
fleet to England if she will assist Denmark.
The British Ministry escaped defeat, on the
Sd, by a majority of one. The rumor that
Maxinilian has decided not to go Mexico is
declared to be untrue. The privateer Rap
pahannock left France on the goth ult
Ks Three more of the gunboats fitted or1t
at Cincinnati are almost ready to leave for
sorne point where their services are needed.
This will make in all thirteen vessels of this
character sent from that city since the begin
| ing of December. The greater number have