The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-03-04

nave borne them more acceptably ? II
he has made some errors, it should be
remembered that all men err, and that
the consequences Of lis errors ale magni.
fed BY the very nature OF the position he
occupies. Who would have been guilty
Of less ? We have sometimes criticised
the notion Of the Presideu, but, when
we consider the many and great trials 10
which he has been subjected, we wonder
not so much that lie has occasionally
erred, as that his errors have not been
more frequent and serious. That he has
been faithful to his trust, All d kept stead
lily 10 view the principles and purposes
with which he accepted it, is sell. evident.
II he has moved SO slowly as, a, times,
TO disappoint the more radical Of his
friends. no has moved SO cautiously and
surely as TO command the approval Of
the people at every step, and necessitate
no step backward. 1t should also be re.
membered that the people. as well as the
President, were uuprcpared for this great
struggle at its beginning, and have been
educated by it up TO their present posi-.
ton. Why, then, should he not be re-
elected What good could result from
a change Standardization ? What evils
might il not bring upon the country ?
But, say the opponents Of Mr.. Lincoln's
denomination, the one.term principle de-.
piands a change. II they can adducs no
better argument than This. they should
Iemain silent. The one-term principle is
simply no principle at all, and demands
nothing. especially in times like these.
II there are rrecedents in its favor, so
there arc presidents against it. Five of
Tho early Presidents were respectively re.
elected for a second term and, il tho prece-
dents have any significance, thoy suggest
that tho President whose election was u sie.
nal of tho return of tho Gopernmont to tho
policy of the better days OF tho Republic.
should DO as highly favored by tho people
as his predecessors by whom that policy was
inaugura,ed. 1t would be as absurd TO con.
tend that n good oficcr should g,vo place
to a bad ono, 10 accordance with the theory
of rotation in Office. as that o bud one
should DO retained r second term, when a
good ono is available. Worthiness and
availability should DO the sole considerations.
|: Mr.. Lincoln DO tho first choice of tho poo.
ple,in and out of tho army, as is admitted-if
no be tho right man 10 tho right place-who
shall oppose ! And so of all tho other
objections to his denomination. The suc-
gcstion that no cannot be reelected would
come with better grace from the Oppcsi
ton than from any of his political friends.
For one, We namo NOT defeat as among the
possibilities of this contest, let who will be
nominated. We mako no predictions to be
quoted hereafter by the enemies of our
cause.
That there arc other ablo and .rue men who
aspire to tho Presidency, md whose claims.
(hf any man can have a claim to that Office
arc worthy to DO considered, VIC cheerfully
admit. Among these, tho most prominent
are Secretary Chase, Con. Fremont and
Gen. Butler. But, personal preferences aside.
1t is doubtful whethor any one of them
wou Id give better. If equal, satisfaction to
tho country. than Mr.. Lincoln. Our great
and noble Ohio statesman is needed where
he is, and his career rs q financial officer of
the Government, however successful, ia liz.
Ito calculated to inspire popular enthusiasm.
Mono go further than wo in admiration of
Gen. Fremont. We believe tho loyal mil.
lions acknowledge his tar,seeing ability and
unsolfish patriotism, and history will award
him ample justice, even though interested
contemporaries may withhold il now. But
tho missions of men ara often determined
rathor by Presidential causes than by their
own action, or the action of thor friends.
II WAS the glorious mission OF Con. Fremont
to DO the first In this War for the Uuion, to
speak tho word alike OF justice and of vic.
tory and, though he should never again
unsheatho his sword he has won an enduring
name, to which the houors of the Presiden.
cy could add no lustro. We would not do.
tract from his just fame by factiously at.
tempting to add 10 it. or Con. Butler, il
may DO said that, although positive, ener.
gctic and thoroughly loyal. bis fitness to
successfully administer tho affairs of this
great Nation, in these porilous times, is got
untriod ; ana II is not impossible that the
same qualities that make him tho right man
to govern the rebels of New Orleans, would
develop now difficulties aud dangers, we're be
TO DO elevated to the Presidential chair. The
present Administration has tho rare mort
of maintaining tho War for the Union. and.
at the same time, peace with all foreign
powers. Could Con. Butler do better +:
Might he not do worse?
In conclusion, we would warn NIL of ,bo
danger Of encouraging our enemies, dis.
heartening our own people, and imperilipe
our cause, by upguardod criticism of tho
faults OF the Administration. Let us not
unwiItingly array ourselves with lhose who
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