The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-10-05
NOW OR NEVER.

from lhe TgibNne.
1t has b en- charged upon the American people
indeed, it has been charged upon all democra-
eies-that they are light of purpose, unstable as
water, and incapable Of "A continuous policy. It
has been supposed that public alTlira could not
be successfully controlled except by the domi-
mating influence of one, or ut least Of few
minds and this idea has been used and mi3uSed
the palliaton of autocracy in every varied form
of selfshness and cruelty. We have had an illus
tration of this in the slayeholding States, in
which bastard democracy meant the irresponsi-
BILE rule of very much less than moiety of the
population.
Adopts in this school, Mr.. Calhoun aud his fol-
lowers hardly cared to make even democratic
professions, or TO conceal the scorn with which
they regarded absolutely popular institutions.
These men were not merely traitors to the Con-
stitution, but they were inidels as 70 the vital
and underlying truths of the Constitution hold
ing some slack allegiance, ii is true, wnie they
found in IL profit and safety, but absolutely scOrn
ing all those clemens OF the Government which
gave 10 il its distinctive character THUS it hap
pened that while the Democratic party at the
North was urging TO practice the cxremest
theories of human equality, iIs allies the slave
holders were practically repudiating those theo-
ries, and through the mouths Of parsons and
politicians casting foul scOrn upon every really
liberal sentiment.
The result of this would have been TO US Of less
importance, If the absOlutism of the slayeh Dldcc
had not poisoned the political mind of the free
States, and made us content with the most ridi-
culOus Inconsistency for the sake of a nominal
Union. For it was here, ii any where, that the
Central American idea should have bsen pre-
served in its prObity-not merely because our
people were more generally enlightened, but be-
cause IL was far easier for us - be faithful. We
have 10 wishi however, to dwell upon the mis-
deeds and the mistakes of the past. We would
rather point out the noble opportunity watch the
present offers of retrieving tn national Uh trac-
ter. These months which are passing so quickly
over our heads are truly mOmcntOus.
While engaged in eXerminatng scditiOn by
the edge OF the sword, we are also called GpOn 90
exercise the most important civil functions; and
that which sagaci0us men have dreaded is come
upon us--we are TO have Presidential elec iOa
In the midst of great civil war. IL is easy to
see, therefore, that we h I'VE arrived u a crisis
which will try the minds and arts of our people
as they nave never been tried nctorc. If cannot
exhibit ordinary wisdom in the election of Pre-
sident, 1t matters little whether the Union shall
be restored or not A great popular mistake at
this Imminent moment would simply argue a
melancholy and disastrous waste of money and
of men.
If any candidate for the Presidency we're in the
field, claiming to succeed Mr LincOln upon the
ground OF warmer hostility 30 the Rebellion,
and promising, IL elected, more vigorous aud
determined prosecution of the war, there would
DO reason for difference la mems minds. But
General Mcclellan can hardly be charged with
ah hONot-Sntuublhbtc lOyhILy, Wnlle the men who
have brought him forward, and are now support
ing him. openly boast that il President at all he
will be their President, quick 90 conuede all that
they may ask and Ieidy 20 shape his policy by
their dictation. General Mcclellan will be our
President" said Fernando Wood, and we have
q right 20 presume that he knew what he VAS
saying and the man of whom he was speaking
The impression which the Cbic Igoites seek to
convey Is, that the election Of their Mai General
will bring peace. But they wisely avoid details
and keep upon the safe side of the broalest
generalities. They draw delightful bnt ex-
tremely indefinite picture of the blessings of
peace, of restored Union, of returning pros
perity and Of traterna, love again strongly inced
but they do not tell us how these blessings are 10
be secured, while their "brethren" upon the
secession side cry loudly 90 us across the lines
that they must decline the rose-water treatment
and that they will be satisfied only with absolute
Independence. Now, we think, il becomes every
voter in the land TO absolutely assure himself
that Copperhead Administration would not end
by conceding that independence contenting itself
with the best possible terms.
We think II would, and we think so for rea-
sons which appear % us 70 be good and sufficient.
We think so because we have no belief that
General Mcclellan has character enough 10 make
him anything more than the President of a party
We think SO because Mr.. Pcndeton Is upon the
record as an avowed opponent of all coercion
whatever. We think so because the men who
are supporting the Chicago ticket have always
denounced the war as cruel and unnecessary
We think 80 because we lind men who have been
M NO pains 10 concedI Ihelr entlre sympathy with
traitorsI are now foremost and hercest in support
OF this ticket. We are making no random accn-
saton.
We are simply stating what Is within the know
ledge OF every intelligent observer. Let the
reader remember any person who, since the com
mencement Of the war, ihas been perpetualy
quarreling with the cause OF the Union, finding
fault with his loyal friends aud neighbors, extenu-
ating the crimes of the Rebels, looking grim az
our victories, and glad al our defeats, and II that
person does not turn out 10 be a vociferOus and
vehement supporter of Mcclellan and Pendleton,
then we are ready TO forfeit what little reputa-
tion for sagaeity VIC may possess. IL is not for
nothing that the Chicago ticket receives this dis.
reputable support