Weekly Trinity journal., 1864-02-20
The Necessities OF the Hour.

We do not hold with the eJesuit's of old, the
theory that " the end justifes the MEANS" nor
do we believe in perpetrating wrong that right
may come of it. Yet in common with every
loyal man in California we regret the decision of
the Supreme Court which DISTINGUISHES the gal
liant soldiers who are now upholding the banner
of our country in every section where duty has
utterly repugnant to every principle of justice,
that those who stand in the battles van and
peril life and limb, should be debarred from that
most sacred right of freemen, the right of suf-
frage, while those on whom the burden of war
falls lightest, secure in their homes, exercise
that right to its fullest extent. We have no
wish nor do we believe that any benefit will re-
suit from extensive discussion of the matter as
far as the decision of the Court is concerned,
but we look upon it as being the duty of Union
men to weigh carefully the results that will fol-
low that decision as a logical consequence
Before another year shall have passed, and
before the necessary steps can be taken to secure
to our volunteer soldiery the privilege of assist
ing in the government of the country, as well as
of fighting its battles, we will be called upon to
complexion of our Government for the next four
years. At the late election it was thought by
nearly every one that the soldier vote would be
received and be as valid as the vote of resident
citizens. The knowledge of this, and the knowl-
edge of what the character of that vote would
- Il ha -ha bod rriy
the greatest proof of devotion to their country
that men could give,-that of taking up arms in
defence of its cause-lessened the hopes and
dampened the ardor of the Copperhead cand-
dates in many of the counties more especially
was this the case in those districts where the
vote was likely to be close. Engaged as they
were in an unholy and treacherous cause, striving
to embarrass the Administration in every step
which taken to vindicatc free government
and restore the Union, they knew that from those
who were fighting under its banners and uphold
ing its cause they could expect no aid, no SYM
pathy. Turn which way they would the soldiers
vote, like the sword of Damocles, hung sus-
pended over them, threatening their schemes
with destruction. No wonder then that so small
vote was cast by that party, with such GER
tain prospect ef defeat staring them in the face
That desperate effort will be made to defeat
the Union party in this State at the next Presi-
denential election, is without doubt. Notwith-
standing the heavy Union majOrites cast at the
last three general elections, the % Constitu-
tonals y are not without hopes of being able to
carry the election next fall. And when we look
at the subject fairly and impartially must
confess that unless the Union party enter into
the campaign with unusual ardor there is a rea-
sonable ground for such hopes. Since the Sep
tember election there has been constant stream
of voters leaving the State, some carried off by
the prevailing excitements, others returning to
Eastern homes. Of these emgrants it is safe to
say that four-htths are Union men, especially
those who have gone East. The dread of the
d" draft " prevents Copperheads from going to
the Atlantic States, and the same feeling sends
annually many of the same kind to this State.
We say then to the Union men of this State
that we must at once organize and prepare for
the coming campaign. With sweeping Union
victory Throughout the North, with Abraham Lin
coin or some other sterling patriot placed at The
helm of the ship of State for the next four years.
the last hope of rebellion would be crushed, and
with it the last dark cloud that hangs over our
national prosperity be swept away. Let us then
be up and doing-if there was necessity for ac-
tion before, that necessity is greater now. We
have fears of the general result of the future
we do not think that the standard of patriotism
is sunk so low that democrat of the Ben Wood,
Cox or Yallandigham stripe will ever be eeva-
ted to the position of President of this Repub-
lie, but we want our own adopted State to stand
in the future as in the past, firm and immovable
in her loyalty to the Union of the States