The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-08-26
The Wade Davis Protest.

Wo have not published or hitherto nllud-
ed TO the Wado Davis Protest, fearing that,
by so doing, We might add to the notcriety
Of that unfortunate docum mont. We cannot
but think that certain of our Union cotem-
poraries, who, on its first appearance, pub
lishod it with non-committal or semi.approy.
ing comments, though they finally denounc.
cd it, have done the cause no great service.
But. inasInuch as some of tho proceedings
of the Union Congressional Convention of
this District rotate to it, our readers should
know what it is. The Wade.Davis Protest
is an appeaI'by Messrs. Wudo, OF Ohio, and
Davis, of Maryland, Chairmeu of tho Senate
and House Committees on the RebeIIious
States, "to the supporters of tho Govern
ment," against tho action Of the President
in not approving tho bill passed by Con-
gress, ito guaranty to certain States whose
govern ment has been usurped. a republican
form of government" 1t accuses Mr.. Lin.
coin of misrepresent alton, usurpntion, rash.
mesa, folly, presumption upon the forbear-
ance of his friends, and unfaithfulness to the
rights of humanity and the principles of re.
publican government. Its tone is bitter and
denunciatory, aud, in short, it is just such a
document as will be approved and rejoced
at by Copperheads, and disapproyed and
denounced by Union men. The comments
of tho Asbtubula Sentinel, published at Mr..
Wade's own home, upon his most extraordi
nary manifesto, express our views SO fully
that wo transfer them to our columns
Says tho Sentinel; s.-
Ia general terms, it is right to freely
discuss the conduct OF men in authority
but this good rule is restricted by very
many exceptions, OF which the pruden
man is to judge. 1t is improper TO parade
the errors and mistak es OF men in author
ily, when the public respect is necessary
10 their usefulness. Public virtue, indeed
often requires that the faults Of certain of
fclals should not be exposed. There az,
proper times for bringing them to tria!
and there are times when we should len,
them strength by our indulgence, as lh
best means, Of securing their usefulnes
and the public good. This protest is i'll
timed and improper, because it is put fort
alta time when the public respect aud con
fidence in Mr.. Lincoln, which it is calcu
lated 10 destroy, are necessary TO the sue
cess Of the Union arms. We complain q
it, because i, goes beyond the character {
mere protest, and arraigns and tries III
President on various charges OF inpropr
ety--indeed, of high offences agaiul
righl--and proves the charge by er par
evidence. 1t makes out a case againi
him, OF course, because he has no deienc
on that trial. II gives the views and cor
clusions OF these gentlemen in judgmeI
against the President; while their oflicil
and political relations 10 him give tn,
jadg ment all the weight and consequence
of a confession by his friends.
No document could he more acceptab
81 those traitors with whom We have
contend at the ballot box, because the
are too cowardly TO take up arms, tina
this twill form the staple Of their elec
tioneeripg material. and will be faunte
in our faces till the election is over.
has already been used as evidence of tb
unworlhiness of Mr.. Lincoln, upon the au
shortly OF men OF bis own party; aud
will be so used from this time forwaro
Is ii right for two individuals OF party 8
TO embarass their friends ? Before til
nomination, was the right time for III
charges contained in II to appear. lila
these gentlemen put them forth then, W
might have had another candidate: bl
nov that We have no alternative but th