Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-10-25
The Southern Press ON the Pros
pect of LincOIn's Election.
From The Richmond Dispatch, Oct. Is
THE NORTHERN ELEcTIoNs.


THE NORTHERN ELECTIONS.
The completion of the returns from the
North leave no doubt with regard to the
reelection of Lincoln. For our own part
we are in no way Disconnected or disap-
pointed, for we have never for one moment
entertained doubt that the result would
be precisely such as It is now evident to all
that it must be. Nor, to speak the truth,
are we displeased with the issue. We have
always regarded Mcclellan as the most dan
gerous man for the Confederacy that could
possibly have been put in nomination for
the Northern Presidency; nor do we see
any reason now to doubt that our opinion
was well founded. He has proclaimed him
self war candidate, although placed upon
a peace platform. He avows, at the risk of
losing many votes, his determination to
prosecute the war for the restoration of the
Union. He avows his determination, If
elected, to place the prosecution of hostili-
ties upon a footing consistent with the usa-
ges of civilized nations. Had he been elect
ed, there is eveyy probability that the policy Of
dimiStices and Peace C0nUentions-the most
dangerous policy that could possibly have been
tnd,gairdted for oar cduse-aoOald haze been
pushed TO cOnsu,nnaation. Besides all this,
he Is man of large military experience,
and knows far better than Lincoln how to
handle the immense forces placed at the
command of President of the United
States. We are gratifled, then, at the es-
cape we think we have made. 1t might
have been infinitely worse. We are, in
deed, confident that it would have been.
We now are pretty sure of what we have
to expect. Not only is Abraham Lincoln
President of the United States tor the next
four years after the 4th of March, 1865, but
he goes In with majority large enough to
sustain him in any atrocity he may medi-
tate. The majority of the North have
pretty clearly declared themselves well
pleased with the war and with the manner of
conducting it. They indorse all the atoci-
ties of Sherman, all the cruelties of Hun
ter, AL the crimes of Sheridan, all the MUIR
ders of Butler, all the butchery and barba-
rism of Grant. The cOnflagra.ions of our
towns and villages, the deportation of our
women and children, the starvation of whole
populations, the instigations of our slaves
to murder and robbery, an aggravation OF
all the horrors of war in its most horrible
aspects, where the passions are left entirely
without control, and every appliance is
used to stimulate them, until, by their in
dulgence, men become devils-all these
things, the virtuous, intelligent, civilized,
Christian, religious North-the heirs of the
best Government the sun ever shOne upon
have deliberately approved of as applied to
us. And we accept the application. Indeed,
there is no way of escape, did we even de-
sire to avoid the issue. There can be no
shuffiing in the ranks now. Every man
must know his place, and must keep it.
The issue Is no peace or war, but freedom
or slavery, existence or determination.
1t is best for the people of the Confed-
eracy to understand, once for all, that their
hopes consist in their arms alone. If vic
torious. they can command the issue; If
defeated, the issue will very certainly COM
mand them. They are contending with an
enemy who will listen to no terms short of
absolute submission. Let us hear no more
cries for peace, but'let every man make up
his mind to war. We have hitherto been ex-
tremely averse to regard the war as anything
more than sort of episode In our existence.
We must in future look upon it as the main
business of our lives. All our thoughts must
turn in that direction, as they have hither-
to been turned upon the means of procur-
ing livelihood, and establishing ourselves
In life. Everything we do must from this
day forth, have some relation to the con-
duct of the war. Our army must be made
a regular army; hitherto it has been moth
ing more than a body Of volunteers. Our
cavalry system must be reformed. We
must give up money-making and devote |
to pursuits that will best assist in |
carrying on the war. Better to make few |
lollars less for the time being, than to make |
It for the benefit of the Yankees. We have |
become accustomed to hardships and self
lenial. They will become even easier to
is than they are at present. Above all, let |
lot our people be deluded by the cry of
peace. 1t has done them an immense deal
If harm already, and it will do them a
great deal more if they listen to it. There
s, at present, noprospect of peace, nor will
here be as long as the Yankees continue to
,elieve themselves gaining victories every
lay. There will be none, until they shall
lave become convinced that their efforts to
ubdue are unavailing. This conviction we
hall be compelled to beat into their heads;
md in order that we may do so, it is neces-
ary that every man should be at his post.
as the Yankees now are for war,
heir tone would change Immediately
hould one of their armies be destroyed,
or they would find it difficult to replace it.
IN the meantime, zoe are cOnuinced that II zoe
an hold our oion through this iointer-ds NEST
ertdinlytoe cdr-the toorst aoiH hare been past.
Dur enemy can never make such an effort as