The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-10-27

enemies OF tho wing party then
they are "the best friends of rebel
lion now. They were pestllent before,
and have been destrucfiUc during the
war But my abhorrence of Aboli.
ton fanatics does not in the least
weaken my detostation of slave re-
bellion. The devilish ambitions fos-
tered by that cursed Institution, may 4
cost us our Government and Union
will, indeed, if slavery and Abolition
combined can work out that great
national crime. Our danger has been,
and is, that Abolition, in doing pre-
cisely what l foretold, diriding the
North and Uniting the South--may
enable rebellion and slavery to avert
the penalty both SO richly inertia
common grave.
II was the dread of ultra Abolition,
embarrassing Mr.. Lincoln in the past,
and threatening embarrassment in the
future, that induced me to hope for a
change of Administration. believed
that Democratic President, as ear
nest as Mr.. Lincoln against the rebel
lion, and exempted from the influences
which have beset and badgcred him
from the beginning, could prosecute
the war moro successfully; and, the
fighting over, would find himself less
oucumbercd, perpleXed and tormented,
during the most difficult of all the
duties of a Presdent-thc rcadjust-
ment of our disjointed machinery of
Government
The responsibilities of the Admins
tration have been, during its four
years of trial, so great, that the Dem
ocratic party, had it been patriotic
orifit had seemed 10 be so-would have
taken the Government. Its disloyal
State organizations finally eliminated
at Chicago, where the right way was
so clear and straight that only those
who were previously bent on pursuing
the ,crOng, could mistake it. Nor, in
seasons of common danger is there
any difficulty in discriminating be-
tween patriotism and disloyalty. In a
war which cxhausts their substance
and drinks their blood, the people are
never deceived. In such times they
think and feel deeply. Instincts and
impulses anticipate argument and
jump at conclusions. Now. as in 1872,
a questionable patriotism is virtually
admitted d;sloyalty. Now, as then,
the political barometer rises or falls
with the changing fortunes of our ar
mics. Victories dcpress, while disas
ters encourage the opponents OF the
Administration.
Heretofore, during lolg political
experience, ithas not been needful, on
the eve of Presidential election, that
my position should be defined. Nor
would it now have been necessary if
the life of the nation did not depend
upon the result. Oppressed by this con
viction, have anxiously watched
events, with q determination to be
governed by them. In canvass which
involves the very existence of tho Re-
public, men are to be Judged by their
fitness for the great trust to be conf
ded to them. | have endcavored, i'm
partially, to measure the Presidential
nominees by this rule. Assuming, as
do. that both are men of integrity
and patriotism, I sought and found a
solution ofmy embarrassment in their
relative associations and surroundings,
find the supporters of Mr.. Lincoln
solcmnly pledged to and earnestly en-
gagged in, the work of "crushing."
with the army and navy of the Gov
ernment, an enormously wicked rebel
lion. Less than this, in view of what
the war has already cost, can not be
submitted to. On the other hand, l
find majority OF the convention by
which General Mcclellan was nomin-
atcd, 'solmnly pledged" to an ''armis-
tice,' and to q policy which contem-
plates peace and disunion. While
General Mcclellan is supported by
War Democrats, | find also that the
copporhcads and sccessionists accept
Mr.. Pendleton and the platform as
their portion Of the inheritance. s
The political "sgns Of the times"
arc full Of hope and joy. Recent re-
suits convert confidence into assurance,
And tho sense of relief comes whore
the danger was most imminent In
Indiana, where treason was most rife,
and traitors boldcst, the triumph is
overwhelming So last year in Ohio,
where the copperheads had the hardi-
hood to present Vallandigham for Gov
ornor, the popular Indignation crushed
them out Of political existence. Thus
if the illustration be not irrevorent-
where disloyal sin abounds, patriotic
grace abounds much more abundantly,
.L... Yours, truly. .. ....
'' THURLOW WEED.