The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1864-09-14
What we Propose.

We entreat every voter TO lay aside all
the prejudices or prepoSsessions Of party /;
TO turn deaf ear to the misrepresenta-
tons Of partisan presses and orators, and
consider calmly what the democratic par
ty proposes to do. We propose to re-
store to this distracted country, which ev-
cry one of us may claim as his own, ell
Their by birth or adoption, union, peace,
prosperity and happiness. No man pro-
poses to retaliate upon his opponents the
injuries, or the deprivations be may have
been called upon TO endure. We propose
to regard the simple condemnation Of
them by the people at the ballot-box, as
complete punishment of their authors,
and a satisfaction to the sufferers. We
propose 10 let no guilty persons, if per-
chance such may DO found in the federal
fortresses, escape, but to place him with
in the proper jurisdiction of the civil law.
We propose to open those "ponderous "
doors only to the free enlargement of those
whom the law shall leave unaccused.
We propose to interfere with no mans
uuforfeited elective franchise, but TO secure
the Same to every man, whether political
friend or foe. We propose TO remove the
terror of arms from all States and COM
munities where law is left in its appropri-
ate and untrammeled action. We pro-
pose to restore that domestic tranquil
ty," which can only be enjoyed when eve
nv man feels that he can read the consti-
tuition of his State and Union, and know
that he finds an unfailing security for his
liberties in their provisions. In fine, LET
every man reflect what his country was a
few short years ago and remember the
democratic party proposes to restore it to
that condition. Is such restoration not
desirable? Docs not every man desire
the time to return when he shall not be
called upon to take chance in " conscrip-
tion," equivalent almost To casting lots for
life or deathl When his person shall not
be drafted into military service, nor his
purse exhausted in the payment of boun-
ties for some ono to take bis place? Does
he not long for the time when this "win.
ter of discomfort" which, fcontinued, has,
God only knows what future storms in
store for us, shall be made "glorious
summer" by the beams of peace? This
the democratic party proposes to do.
Are we asked for guarantees Of its &C
complishment9 Take tho whole history
of the party. Did it not make tie gov
ornmcnt, now universally conceded to be
tho best the world ever saw" and fol
seventy years administer the same with
unvarying success both through peace
and war? Great as this country is, the
glorious succession of democratic admin.
istrations, with few Interruptions, made il
so. Do you deny this, and say that il
did not progress by the aid of the democ,
racy, but in spite of iti Well, then, the
democratic party did not impede its pro-
gress, to say the least, and will not again
Your own experience will tell you that
the present administration does. Ever
with this view a change is desirable.
Let us to work, then, one and all, to re.
store the principles which secured oul
former peace and prosperity. We have
tried others for almost the constitutional
limit, and they have failed. Let us not
90 on in such fearful road for four more
years. The risk is incommensurate with
any conceivable advantage. The work
of reconstruction and restoration should
begin at once, lest ruin and dilapidatior
should proceed SO far as to render it for.
ever impossible.-Me Mrapnel.