Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-10-22
Communicated
Political.

else of the utmost activity and vigilance. Ar
election, the importance Of which cannot b.
over estimated, is at hand. The issue is moi
simply whether one man in preference tc
another shall occupy the Presidential chair Of
the nItion-but the question is one involving
principles vital to life and existence of popular
government. A comprehensive view Of the
situation will reveal the fact that the present
is the most critical period of the worlds his.
tory. Where in the past may we look for a
parallel to the spectacle which America pre-.
sents to the orld. At this time, civil war,
which has heretofore subverted for time the
foundations Of order and the civil law, has
been raging for more than three years with a
severity, and attended with degree Of cour-
age and obstruction never before known in
ancient or modern times. Still that portion
Of the country in whose local governments
universal freedom was the predominatlng
element has been able to withstand the con-
WILSON'S of war, and to-day remains M tact, IN
all its political and local organizations.
What stronger proof can be required that
government emanating from the people is ths
strongest and best OF all governments ~
preserve and perpetuate the blessings secured
to man BY such form OF government, should
be the sole aim of true patriotism. Nearly
four years since, one powerful section OF the
country-in defiance Of every obligation, and
with an utter contempt Of every principle OF
right and luStice-Sprang TO arms to strike
down and trample under foot that flag, under
whose protecting folds it had arisen to opu-
lance aud power. With the most feeble at
tempt at Justification, they rushed blindly into
war and revolution. No palliation for their
course was ever urged BY them that was not
an outrage TO the plainest dictates OF COM
mon sense. Having lived long in the eHjoy-
ment of even more than was guaranteed TO
them BY the Constitution, they forgot that
others mad any rights they were bound to
respect. An administration assuming the
direction OF public affairs at a time when no
ray of light illuminated the political horizon,
was called upon to exercise degree of firm
ness aud discretion not often required Of men,
should President sit as u passive spectator
OF events, while rebels by millions were arm
ing TO wipe out of existence the nation that
had intrusted to MIN the execution Of its laws
and the vindication of its honor. After eS-
haus,ing every honorable means Of concilia-
ton. no alternative was left the admlnlstra-
ton but to tight or surrender. Lincoln,
seconded BY the loyal million Of the nation,
chose to fight. War was inaugurated,
not, however, because of any wrongs
the South had suffered, but because they
had lost control of one department Of the
government. The aristocranc notions which
had prevailed among them, were IN danger
of receiving check. The facility With which
they had been able to control every measure
of public importance was in some measure
wrested from their grasp, unable TO extensive
absolute dominion; their sole aim was hence
forth TO break down and destroy. To pro-
tect and save, Lincoln marShaled his hosts
for battle-upon whom then rests the re-
sponsibiIity OF the war? Let impartial his
tory answer for itself. Ofwhat act oftyranny,
or of what usurpation Of power had Lincoln
been guilty Was 1t an outrage against
civil liberty for the President to defend the
national Capitol: Was it an usurpation OF
power when the public welfare demanded II
10 place a few turbulent and inscriptions in
dividuals where their actions would be subject
10 a proper and salutary restriction Inc
opuonents of the Administration ridicule with
great gusto everything termed military neceS-
sity. But, he who fails to perceive the exist
ence Of military necessities, must be constl-
tIrionally incapable Of seeing anything. II
has ever been held as military necessity
when compelled TO wage war, to use every
honorable means to bring It to successful
termination. To this end, all military lead
ers have as legitimate means Of war, APP
propriated as far as possible the resources OF
an enemy. Under the peculiar circumstances
of the case, the proclamation Of the President
declaring four millions Of blacks held BY the
rebels as slaves 10 be free, must be considered
as a military necessity, whose justice and
wisdom cannot be questioned Can the
American people afford at this time to in
trust the helm Of State to new and lnexpe-
rienced hands: Who could be found whom
common prudence would prefer to trust 70
the man who has for four years sustained
the honor and integrity Of the nation, despite
the most formidable opposition 1t was pos
sible TO bring against it II must be evident
10 all patriots and well wishers of this coun-
try, that such an one exists not IN the person
of the Chickahominy grave-digger. The man
the least dreaded by rebels OF all the Generals
sent against them, is not the man to crush a
rebellion of such magnitude as the one with
which the government has now to contend.
What guarantee have the people who have so
jealousy and periodically come forward IN
the hour of peril and contributed their means,
and offered themselves TO the service Of their
country, that the fruits of four years Of war
will not be basely surrendered to ranquished
enemy: Ifit is the desire Of those having the
welfare of the nation at heart to see the en-
blem Of our nationality go marching on
steadily and surely until every star shall have
been restored to its folds, let them secure
that object BY re-electing and sustaining the
present Administration.