Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-02-01

d.nc. with tse downfall Of the once mighty repoDnc-
How then can the issue be any other than tnat oi
nsaos or varP Toere is no Issue outside Of Inst upon
which ntest can be based, aud none that favorable
or adverse result of this war Ni not completely over
ride. The Democrats take it, will not direcuy MAKE
the issue of peace hut their efforts will inevitably Venu
in that direction if they can LOpe to succeed. Ihey
will not leave the Black Republicans to pursue unem-
barased the only policy which can secure them SUCCESS
next November-that Of prosecuting the war 70 sue
cessfu ISSUE If they do, all milor issues however
rumerous in detail, will be as nothing They will De
swept out of view by the overwhelming current Of sue
cess in the grand issue. Popular enthusiasm In TINS
contingency, will rush madly its career OF nto1i-
Gated low and trample under foot all Objectionable
features in mere administrative policy which may con-
sstute the issues in the Presidential contest
Viewing this as the attitude in which the prtsidenta'
contest will inevitably stand we regard the concurrence
of the close of the term of service of the most OF the
soldiers now in the Yankee ranks, with the Inauguration
of the presidential campaigO, as peculiarly auspi-
cous of good to US. Discord, feuds and Otter en-
mites will aie as Inevitable incidents OF this campaign
aud as the Democratic party gains strength all side OF
abstract issues will be merged into common antago-
ni.m to the war policy cf Lincoln. When this issue is
made under the auGpces of formidable organizAuor'
Il will gain mary adhertnts who nov favor piosecu
40, nj the war either from motives of fear or Interest,"
T,ousands who lave made large fortunes by the
war and who now seek to enjoy them in peace,
will array themselves against Lincolns war po-
licy while thousands of Others who have btel
victims Of it's ravages will join the cause OF peace
in the hope of its bringing better times Others
still who despair OF success, but who are restrained IN
the EXPRESSION OF that conviction by fear, will ia in
aud thus will the movement gather strength until 1t
atssins magnitude and power too formidable 10 De
oyerthrown by military encies or a~less despohsm
The guarantees Of personal security which formidable
oombinauon viii afford, will operate as strong induce
ents to win over lew adherents Fear of the dire al
terpatyss which defeat would entail and the memory
of past grevac will mpsrt to the organization Co
hesyeness and energy. Persons justifyipg to them
serves the policy OF an carly peace, ulder whstever
phase or pretext will make common cause with this
nesee movement under sense Of security derived from
les uosercy Such movement could never be inaugu-
rated under any other guse than that OF great po-
zeal campaign The cry OF treason would ring through
the land if il were instituted directly with reference TO
the restoration of peaca. Tae constitutional sanction
70, an organic, I'd movement in view of aPesidental
contest is too papable to incur the risk OF repression
Such an attcmpt would inevitably create revolution
and doom the despoic agents in that attempt 10 certain
destruc ion.
The obiec. Of the Democrats in inaue urating the
Presidential campaign under The gaise of war policy
Is apparent The avowal of purpose adverse to that
;rop fha ria If dsgoutiOn nv
the strong arm of military power, bu. in the present
altitude of the war, which the Yankees deem coneiu
sve Of the prospect of early "crushing Of the re-
beon impair the efficiency of any organization which
tie Democrats might get up. Security against des-
n,tic mower which eau only be afforded by counter
vaing physical agency, must form the main cOnCiton
of an uudisgused and clndid avoWal of anything like
peace policy. Meanwhile, the work Of arrangement
from the army of the largest possible contingent Of the
Democra ic fighting material will go on in every avail
abe form. This must need be done, if the Democrats
entertain any hope of To neglect it, would be
suicidal. The most lavish energy in respec. to other
minor issues would be utterly useless she that impOr
tant object is overlooked.
If this policy succeeds, material benefits viii enure
to US. But we will owe nothing to the Democrats for
those benefits. That policy will be merely one OF ex-
pediency adopted without reference to
They will resort to it as mere means Of success It's
advantage to US viii be purely incidental but no less
effective, however. IL may be the means by which Pro
vidence desgnes to arrest this infamous and cruel
and according TO our limited comprehension could
be more effective We have always regarded division
at the North as an essential precedent of peace That
condition will soon be fully realized Nor will its iunc
tons cease with the Of the Democracy, should
they deem it e1pedent to fall back upon the war policy
The Blck Republicans will in turn, employ the means
which accomplished their overthrow, aud retaate by
the exercise of the estrang policy, which served
so well to deiat their efforts at subjuga ion Thus will
the forthcoming clmpaigu have inaugurated system
of retaliation which will inevitably involve ruin 10 the
North and pesce to upon any terms We choose to die
tate.
In view Of the character which this contest must
practically assume, particularly as it concerns the Demo
eras VIC look with some iuteret to the result of the
stupendcus efforts being made by Llc 'n 10 retain in
IN, 6sld those volunteers whose q Service are
about to expire.