The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-05-04
President EincOIn's Test of
hiS Generals. t
[From the London Times, March 2sth.l

| l,I
If the summer campaign does not pro
duce more favorable fesults than the re
cent expeditions haveobtained the polit
ical maneuvers of the Presidential elec
ton will throw the incidents of the wal
into the background altogether. Under
any circumstances this tremendous con
test would have withdrawn much of the
public interest from movements they could
learn only from description. But the
battles of the political campaign ere
fought in every tow and village. The
combat is at every mans door. 1t is o
great advantage to the Confederates that
they have wisely exempted themselves
from the same kind of struggle, which
would have occurred exactly at the same
time, had they not extended the four
years term to six. The difference it makes
in the position of the two political chiefs
of the opposing federations is decidedly
in favor of the Southerners.
In the North the war is as much con-
aict for party supremacy as for the resto-
ration of the Union by conquest and
force. The Republican, or official party
will have to bear through the whole of
this year double strain on its energies.
1t must carry on the war and maintain at
all hazards, its own political domination.
1t has not conducted military operations
very successfully while it could devote
all its efforts to the task; it will now be
distracted by different objects. Mr.. Chase
would have made him the rival of the
President he serves as Minister
Mr.. Lincoln is still q candidate for re
election. with all the influence Of the Gov
ernment to support him. He is not unan-
imously re-seated by public opinion, or
by that universal consent which would
make the process of reelection a mere
form He is still the emily candidate OF
his own party; the fitness of their choice
is disputed and he has to encounter a
strong, though it may not be availing
opposition. Mr.. Jefferson Davis retains
his power until 1866, and as he cannot
be reelected, is under no necessity Of
shaping his policy to subserve his per
sonal ambition. He can afford to let
General win battle, and will probably
give more than one commander chance
of doing SO.
Mr. Lincoln, as a political candidate is
bound to his party. 1t would regard a
successful commander as dangerous op-
ponent, and must by necessity rcpress
talent that has already shown itself, and
give as little opportunity as possible of
it in new men. There is
something more fatals.to talent military
ability even than the :" cold shade y we
have heard Of. 1t is the whitening heat
of such a fierce party struggle as viii alb
sorb the attention of America for the next
ten months. Men, services, ability-eve-
rything will be sacrificed to success in
the conflict. Action will be purposcly
feltered that no embarrassing reputation
may be made by it. The object of the
war will be neglected, and the armies of
the Federation be employed more for
than military purposes:
The officers will find their account In be-
coming jealous party agents. OF these
influences the policy and management of
the war must bear the trace. The North
will be unusually fortunate if it does noti
in the political confusion, give its enemies
an opportunity they willnot be slow to
seize.