Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-09-22


tbev must save il by Democratic formulas
and combinations which the progress Of the
aye has forever exploded. They cannot come
M to celebrate achievements which con.
demn their narrow and hereditary bigotry.
Others of both the Republican and Dem
ocratic parties, are willing that the nation
shall be saved, provided it is done by some
one Of their chosen and idolized chiefs,
which chief they mutually denounce and
revile. They cannot honor Grant, and
Sherman, and Farragut and Porter, be
cause by such homage. they fear that Fre-
mont and M'Clellan's fame may be ec|psed.
Nevertheless, there are enough here OF
the right sort, (Yes-that's true)-eDough
of men who were once Republicans, but
who, taking that word in partisan sense,
are Republicans no longer, and men who
we're once Democrats, but who, taking the
word in its narrow application, are Demo
Gratis no longer. all Of whom are now Union
men, because they found out at the begin
ming Of this tremendous civil war, or at
some period in its progress, that no man, no
party, no formula, no creed, could save the
Union. out that only the people could save
it, and they could save it only by ceasing to
become partisans, and becoming patriots
and Union Men. [Cheers for the Union. ]
Yes, my friends, when this wal. shall be
ended in the restoration of the Union, no
man then living will exult in the rccollec-
ton that during its continuance he was ei
ther Radical or Conservative, Republl
can or a Democrat, but every man will
claim to have been throughout an uureserv-
ed and unconditional Union man.
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
But why should party spirit, especially at
this iuncture, divide the American People.
And why should l, a member Of the Exec
utive Administration, allude to it on such
an occasion as this? The answer is at hand.
The Constitution of our country commands
that Administration to surrender its powers
to the People, and the People to designate
Agents to assume and exercise them four
years. You receive the Executive Govern
ment in condition very different and high
ly improved. We found it practically. ex-
PEELED from the whole country South Of the
Delaware, the Ohio and the Missouri. with
the most of the army and navy betrayed or
fallen into the hands ofinsurgents. and new
and reasonable Confederacy, with the indi-
powers, establishing itself in the Gulf OF
Mexico. We cheerfuly give the Govern
ment back to you, with large and conquer
ing armies, and triumphant navy, with
the hateful Coufederacy falling into pieces.
and the rebellous States, one after another,
returning to their allegiance. ....
Regarding myself now, therefore, not as a
Secretary, but simply as one OF the people,
|, like you, am called by my vote, to deter
mine into whose hands the precious trust
shall now be confded. We might wish to
avoid, or at least to postpone that duty I'M
Ill the present fearful crisis is passed. But
! it cannot and ought not to be avoided or ad-
journed. 1t is Constitutional trial and
the nation must go through it, deliberately
and bravely. -.....
| shall, therefore, cheerfully submit. for
your consideration, the course which have
concluded to adopt; and the reason for it..
| First, beg you to remember, that the
present is no common or customary fresl
Dental election. 1t occurs in the midst of
civil war, arising out of disputed succes.
sion to the Executive power Disputed
SUGGESTIONS are the most frequent causes OF
civil war, not only in Republics but even in
Monarchies. A dispute about the success
sion of the President, periodically begets
an abortive or a real revolution. in each one
of the Spanish and American Republics; =
So the disputed succession of the Spanish
throne. begot that memorable Thirty years
war, which convulsed all Eutope.. A dis
pute whether Juarez was the lawful Presl'
dent, brought on the present civil war, with
the consequence of French intervention in
Mexico. A dispute whether tho present
King of Denmark, who succeeded to the
throne last winter, is lawful heir. 20 the
Duchies of Schleswig and HOsten, brought
about the civil war in that country. which,
through German intervention, has Just now
ended with the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF the Dan
ish kingdom. 1t is remarkable, also, that
civil wars produced by disputed SUGGESTIONS
invariably begin with resistance by some
one or more of the States or provinces which
\ constitute the Kingdom, Empire or Hepub
lic which is disturbed 1t Was so with the
United States of Colombia, and the cast
was the same in the United States Of Ven
ezuela. Now it is certain that in 1860 WI
elected Abraham Lincoln, lawfully and con
stitutionally, to be President Of the whole
of the United States of America. Seven o
the States Immediately thereon rushed into
disunion, aud summoning eight more t.
their alliance, they set up Revolutlonar.
} Government. They levied war against us
to effect a separation and establish a dis
tinct sovereignty and Independence.
We accepted the wal in defense OF tn
Union. The only grievance of the insur
gents was that their choice Of John G
Breckinridge for President, was constitu
}, tionaly overrued in the election of Lincoln
: They rejected Lincoln, and setup usnrper
The Executive power of the United State;
now therefore by force practically suspend
: ed, between the fstlrper, Jefferson Davis
!. and that constitutional President Abraham
! Lincoln. The war is waged by the usurpe
: to expel that constitutional President fror
g the Capitol, which in some sort is constant
y y,held in seige, and to conquer the State
9 which Loyalty adhere to him. The war
+ maintained on our side, to suppress th
: usurper, and to bring the iusurgent State
y back, under the authority of the constlt'
r tional President. The war is at its crisis.
c 1t is clear therefore that We are fighting
make Abraham Lincoln President of tn
whole United States, under the electic
Is Of 1860 to continue until the 4th
n March, 1865. In voting for a President
Q the United States can we wisely or safe
It vote out the identical person whom vii
3 force and arms we are fighting into Il
it Presidency? mo, no, You justly say n
It It would be nothing less than to give up Il
j. very object Of the war at the ballot box
,t The moral strength, which makes our 10y
is nosition impregnable, would pass from U