The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1864-03-09
For the Portage County Democrat.
THE - t'4s4 =

we are now rapldly approaching the close
of the third year of, the Rebellion, and with
the great questions which have arisen during
its progress, comes the duty Of choosing an
Executive Chief to guide us on through our
great struggle for national existence. aoi.a5
In examining the claims of the many tall
ented men whose qualifications are brought
before theIpeople, by their respective friends
and adherents, it becomes our first duty to
throw aside the claims of party, or Of indi-s
viduals, and look solely to the best interests of
the American people. 1t may be easy for us
to say that we require, at our national helm,
q true patriot. a man possessing great native
coupled with experience, and the ability to
make good use of his, qualifications ); but it
may not be so easy to find man possessing
all these. That Abraham Lincoln possesses
in a rare, degree a majority of them, his acts
for the last three years fully demonstrate
Whatever difference of opinion may exist
among his countrymen, as to the merit Oh de-
merit of certain measures of his administra-
ton, yet, as a whole they have received the
appreciation of the people, and alarge major;
ity pronounce them mastery throughout. If
the wishes and interests of the great mass of
the people are to be consulted in the coming
canvass, there can be no doubt that Abraham
Lincoln willabe his own successor; but If in
triguing politicians, and those who are seeking;
place and power, regardless Of the conse-.
quences, are to govern, the result will GER
tainly be otherwise. "a rf
IF it be claimed that there are others pos
sessing equa,.. if not more executive ability
than Mr. Lincoln, itSwould i'll become a great
and generous people to set him aside to graf
ify the ambitions of a political aspirant for
by the reelection of Mr.. Lincoln should
not only endorse his administrative measures,
but we should show tosthe woodland espe-
cially to those in rebellion--that it WIS our
determination that they should become the
permanent policy of the nation. 40 ~
Amidst the general despondency and gloom
which now encircles the leaders of the rebel
lion, if there be a single,sray of light upon
their downward course, II is in the hope that
the successor of President Lincoln will be
more lenient, ,g!oF friendly to their cause; orat
/ least, that the confusion incident to change
of administration will give them an oppersu-
nifty to revive from their exhaustion. This is
evident from the tone of the leading organs of
the rebel governm ent. The Richmond Ex-
aminer of recent date, after commenting at
/ length upon the general weakness and desti-
tuition of their people, endeavors TO brighten
the sad picture, as follows - Lincoln's term
draws rapidly to a close" and amy change
mil be beneficial to the South Lincoln and his
Il party are SO ireevocably committed to, and Sc
indissolubly linked with, the continuance oi
the war,qthat we can hope for no peace from
them, save by utter exhaustion of the means
of prosecuting it.'' The italics are my own
Surely if there were no other reason for the
J reelection of Mr.. Lincoln, this well grounded
| hope of the rebels is a sufficient one.
During the year which has just closed the
Presidents Emancipation Proclamation ha,
been on trial. Its history is surprising. LIE
the reader contrast it with the first two year
= of the rebellion, both of which were disas
trous to our cause "A loyal and generous
people will not hesitate to give the credit 70
our signal success to him who struck the frs
: fatal blow to the existence ofsthe rebellion
t nor will they il ttosreward him with thei
S confidence and support. WHO'S better quail
flied to carry out the greatest POLITICAL meas
Lures of the nineteenth century than thei
author 2 =
: Thee American people are fast hecomin
], convinced that Abraham Lincoln is one of tn
q best, if not the best man in the nation, and th
one best calculated to-. bring our, .nations
struggle to successful termination.
!, ssS ss3g -. - UNION
- GARREpsvIfE February goth, 1854.