Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1864-07-07
THE MIcAwBER DEMOCRACY.

Mr.. Wilkins Micawber is again in
difficulty. 1t is really surprising
that this estimable gentleman cannot
be appreciated-that he can't succeed
in the coal, the brewery, or the bank
ing business. His misfortunes com
pei kind of sympathy, for il there
is anything sad to see it is this
spectacle of a man going through the
world perperually waiting for some
thing to turn up. Micawber is now
in. a peculiar trouble He is really
A Fallen Tower. He cannot find a
candidate-he cannot borrow plat
form-he cannot even get Conven
ton. What is to be done? He pur-
posed going to Chicago, and MIR. Val
landigham, his ext best friend, un-
dertook the perils of a journey from
Canada to Ohio, entering Hamilton
in dramatic way, in the hope of
giving life and fire to the Chicago
Convention Even that has failed.
Vallandigham finds himself in state
of sin and misery in Dayton-des-
pissed bv one party, distrustei by
his own friends, and very sad indeed
because no one will put him under
arrest. Ifhe had only been arrested
there might have been a riot, great
trouble, much excitement, and an
uppo rtunity at Chicago for Mr.. Mi,
cawber Then there were hopes of
MIR Mcclellan. The Micawber of
warriors was just the man for the
Micawber Democracy. He managed
war very much as his great original
managed his finances, and with much
the same result. He got into diff
culties on the Peninsula, and had to
come home. Why should he not be
made candidate for the Presidency?
He was popular throughout the South
He was respected by the rebels
He had never said word to injure
the feelings of the most sensitive
Southern gentlemen. He had mana
ged a large army so that as little
injury as possible would be done to
the rebellion. He was precisely, the
man for Chicago. A Micawber party
could do no better than nominate a
Micawber captain; and so men be-
lieved. Mr.. Micawber does not
think so. He wants to wait a little
longer. This man Grant has ruined
whatever reputation as a military
man Mcclellan may have ever gain
ed. Mr.. Micawber is, therefore, in
difficulties again. He concludes
not to go to Chicago, but to wait two
months longer and see if something
will not possibly turn up.
The issue therefore stands Ere
mont and Cochrane on the one hand,
Lincoln and johnson on the other
As Fremont and Cochrane represent
nothing but SMALL miserable faction,
we may virtually say that Lincoln
and johnson are alone in the field.
They have no rivals Their enemies
virtually surrender the fight. These
enemies say that they have examin ed
the record ofLincoln and Johnson
the administration of the army and
navy. the career of the former as
President. and of the latter as Gov
ernor and Senator, the platform
upon whi,h they stand, and the prin-
ciples they represent--and they find
it impossible to name a candidate to
oppose them, or to construct plat
form in opposition that can in any
way command the confidence of the
people. In other words, this great
Copperhead combination bows down
before the will of the people Filled
with enmity and hatred, desiring
above all things the overthrow of
the country and the Administration,
it is afraid TO takethe field on ground
of its own choosing, to accept the
challenge we have given. 1t is afraid
to say now what principles it be-
lieves or what man it deems proper
to represent those principles, We
find the Convention in Illinois refus-
ing to adopt any resolution but one
endorsing Vallandigham. It,prefers
to wait until the Chicago Convention
meets and determines policy. In
other words, the Democracy ir
Illinois, and, indeed, in most part o.
the country, do not know what to be
ieve until they are instructed BY
Mr.. Vallandigham and a company o.
gentlemen at Chicago. The have {
word of sympathy for a banishet
traitor, but they have no word o
sympathy for our cause, no voice
sentiment or opinion, or any issue