, 1864-12-02

OF California, IN taking retrospective view
of political matters, says:
Now that the Presidential contest is
over and the smoke Of the battle is clearing
away it may be an appropriate time for con
siderng the results attained, the causes that
have produced them, and the political pros
poets of our country in the future. Under
all the circumstances, that an election by the
people should have passed off quietly
throughout the Union is almost miracle.
In the midst of a great var, with public
opinion nearly evenly divided upon ques-
tions of policy as to the manner in which it
is conducted, as a war of invasion and con.
quest, and with their passions lashe9 to
frenzy by the partisan appeals eF dema-
gogues, it is indeed remarkable that the
balot-box should have ston2 the test of the
terrible pressure
As to the results attained, though indi-
eating steady increase of dissatisfaction
with the present Administration and oppo-
siticn to the war, and demonstrating the
real, reliable strength of the Democratic
party, it is nevertheless the part of caudor
and honesty to admit that they are neither
satisfactory, nor, in our opinion, fattering to
the patriotism and intelligence Of the Amer
lean people. If we concede the reelection
Of Lincoln by the free voice of the people,
without fraud enough to vitiate the proceed
ing (and we do not raise that question now),
the result must be accepted as evidence that
a majority of the people have indorsed the
war and have ind orsed Mr. Lincolns mode
Of carrying it on. -
The Express is now, as it has formerly
been, the leading organ of the peace wing
of the Democratic party in California, and
the following extract taken from an editorial
having for its caption "Our Purpose Polit-
icaly," may be regarded as for6shadowing
not only the future course and purposes of
the Express, but also of the Peace Democ-
racy of the State:
"The country having decided by popular
verdict in favor of continuation Of the war
policy, we do not propose to interpose any
factious opposition to those who have been
entrusted with the management Of national
| affairs, but shall, nevertheless, keep upon
record our protest against Republican poll
cy, trusting to future events, the reason and
patriotism of the people, to carry our coun-
/ try through the severe ordeal to which pas
sion and fanaticism has subjected it. The
/ President and all the public servants who
/ have been given a new lease of power by
virtue Of the late election, now stand charged
/ to prosecute the war against the South until
/ slavery is abolished and the revOted States
are brought back to allegiance to such pb-
litical institutions as may be IN existence ln
the North; when peace shall be established,
and though we do not believe that such a
policy will either subiugate the South abol-
ish slavery or restore the Union, so long as
our rights as citizens ofthis Government are
not outraged, we have no desire to thwart
the honest efforts Of those in authority to
carry into practice the duties with which
they have been charged by fair expression
Of the popular voice. Within the proper
bounds of newspaper license we shall give
the current news and shall comment upon it
with a fearless pen We shall always con-
slider it our right and our duty to critiese
the acts of public officers, holding them to a
strict accountability to the people for the
manner lh WHICH Juey CiscHdrge luelt dSeu-
cy. No true lover Of his country can OBJ
iect to this, nor do we believe that the mass
es of the people are 50 blinded by passion
and fanaticism as to desire 10 wholly stife
the voice of discussion, and by arbitrary pro-
scription screen the acts of public officers
from impartial criticism We know there
are many who would gladly do this, some
out Of motives Of revenge on political an
tagonst, Others 10 order to enable themselves
to plunder the Government with impunity
and carry into practice principles totally
subversive of free government. But the
honest portion of the Republican party who
act from a sincere desire to restore the Union
preserve their liberties, their property, and
the honor of their country, we are satisfied
desire no such thing"