The weekly union record., 1864-12-03
The Teachings of Events.

The MarysviIle Express of Thursday has
al editorial on The Events of our Time and
what They Teach" from which we take the
following paragraph:
History will not bold Lincoln, or the fanatics
who surround him, wholly responsible for the
overthrow o. free government in America, but
it will trace the cause back 10 the original
fountain of power, the people themselves. Lin
coin Is giving the people jrst the kind Of a
government they contracted for. Like the
ancient lsraelites they became tired Of free
Institutions and began 10 clamor for King TO
rule over them. Before Lincoln was elected
President. be had placed himself fairly upon
the record, through bis legislative career and
his public speeches, especially his celebrated
debates with Douglas, il Illinois, in favor of a
consolidation Of power in the Federal Govern
ment. An Aboli,ionist by instinct and cult
vati0n. and a consO!idaiiouist in principle, be
united precisely The elements needed By cunning
conspirators for plunging the country into war.
breaking up the Government, and establishing
strong despotism 10 its place.
The Express here charges ~the people them
selves" with being responsible for the over
throw of free government in America" The
Abolitionists are at length exonerated from
this responsibility; and, in eject, the Express
argues that, the majority of the people having
as such elected President representing their
principles, and the secession minority having, in
consequence. rebelled. the peope-not the
politicians, either North or South-have
brought about the present condition of things
The Express occupies precisely the ground Of
jeff Davis the South wished to get rid OF the
majority rule" aud was right in so doing
and more clearly, il possible, than ever, proves
itself 10 be at heart 10 the Confederate cause
Because the people saw fit 10 coustitulonaly
elect q President opposed to the extension of
slavery, they are tired Of free institutions and
clamor for King to rule over them. These
are the teachings of the events of our time, Z"
according to the Express
1t is nothing new TO find Copperhead news
papers defending JEFF. Davis and his secession
theory, and charging the responsibility Of the
war upon Lincoln's Administration but it IS
only since the election has resulted in their
defeat, that they have acquired bolduess suiic-
lent to charge the people as being the "origiua!
fountain of power" from which have flowed all
our evils The teachings of events, in our
opinion are that modern Democracy" is not
the genuine article; enlightened by those
teachings, the people have pronounced il coun-
terfeit, and have declared that the true democ-
racy Of our fathers shall govern the whole
country. JEFF. Davis and his allies at the
North may object to the rule OF the majority"
but the teachings of the events of our time are
that they will have to succumb. 1t is the
perception Of this that renders the whole allied
camp Of Conlederates and Copperheads so
frantic. Lincoln sweeps the north with ballots
while bis lieutcnants sweep the South with
bullets and bayouets. The teachings of these
events are bitter to the Dixie Democracy but
they are full Of promise for the country