The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1864-11-09

the North hereafter. The followers of
the Seymours and other ultra Democrats
of tho North arc not more loyal than.
were ninc-,cuths Of the Southern people
in 1860. Few Of them now think Of
becoming rebels, but they would as
readily rebel as did the Southern men
who have filled the armies Of Lee and
Bcaurcgard, and who have poured out
their blood so lavishly to destroy that
nation which owes its existence to the
labors of Southern men, to the cxertions
of Washington, Jefferson, Henry, and
others, natives of the very States that
have done most in tho cause Of dcstruc'
ton. The sentiment Of nationality is
no stronger among Northern Democrats
than it was among Southern Democrats;
and as the latter were converted into
traitors at the bidding Of few leading
politicians whose plans were favored by
circumstances, 90 would the former be.
come traitors at the first signal to any
move that their leaders should make.
There is but one way to meet the dan
ger that threatens us,-a danger that
really is greater than that with which we
were threatened in 1850, and which we
have the advantage Of seeing, whereas
VIC could see nothing in that year. We
must strengthen the Government, make
it literally irresistible, by clothing it
with the whole Of that power which pro-
ceeJs from an emphatic and unmistaka-
bic expression Of the popular will. Give
Mr.. Lincoln, in the approaching election,
the strength that comes from 4 united
people, aud. We shall have peace main.
tainci throughout the North, and peace
restored to the South. Rc.ccct him BY
a small majority, and there will be civil
war in the North, and revival Of war.
like spirit in the South. Elect General
McC Clellan, and VIC shall have to choose
between constant warfare. as a consc.
qucncc of having approved of Secession
, by approving Of the Chicuso platlorm,-
which is Secession formally dcmocra'
!. tizcl, and lcspo,ism, tho only thing
that would save Us from anarchy. An
archy is the one thing that men will not,
because they cannot, long endure. ..
President Lincoln should oe re.clect.
cd, if for no other reason, that there
may 20 forth to the world pointed ap-
proval Of his conduct from his constit.
uen,s. AS we have said, We do not
claim perfection for the policy and acts
of the Administration but We arc oi
opiniou that its mista kes have hccn no
srcatcr than in most instances would
have been committed by any body Of
men that could have been selected from
the entire population Of the country
Take the policy that has been pursued
with reference to Slavery. Many OF US
thought that tho President issued his
Emancipation Proclamation at least 4
year too late but VIC must now see that
the time selected for its PRONUNCIATION
was as skilfully chosen as its aim was laud'
able. Had it come out year earlier, In
1861, the friends Of the rebels could
have said, with much plausibility, that its
tappearance had rendered restoration OF
the Union impossible, and that the slave
holders had no longer any hope Of hav-
ins their propcrty:rights respected undcr
the Federal Constitution. But by allow.
ing seventeen months to elupse before
issuing it, the President compelled the
Rebels to commit themselves absolutely
to the cause of tho Unions overthrow
without reference to-any attack that had
been made on Slavery in time of'war.
I: 1t has not, therefore, boon. in the power
of their allies here to say that the lssu'
Ing of. tho Proclamation placed an i'm
passablc gulf between the Union and tho
Con(eleracy; for the Confederatcs were
as loud in their declarations that they
never would return into the Union be-
fore the Proclamation appearedias they
have been since Its appearance. They
!, |werc caught, completely, and deprived OF
T the only pretsnse that could have boon
invented for their benefit, by themselves
or by their friends. The adoption Of an
Emancipation policy did not cause US
tho loss OF one friend in tho South, while
it gained; fricndsHfor our cause in: every
country that felt an interest in our
struggle. 1t. prevented the: ,:acknoWl'
edsmont. Of, the Southern ConIederacy
by France, and by other nations, as
French. example would have found
prompt imitation. It's appearance was
f the turning 'evont Of 'the;war, and it>Vas
most happily timed for" both foreign and
domestic. effect. IT. will be tho noblest
: fact in President Lincoln!'s history, that
by the same, action he announced free;
, dom to four millions Of bondmen, and
I secured his country against: even The
}, possibility. Of foreign mediation, foreign
:: Intervention, and foreign war. - - =.
!, Tho states that voted on the llth OF
October give sixty electoral votes, or two
, moro than half thenumber necessary for
II =, Lo;oa &c Drao;dont 81. !Nhpv = aro NIL Ger.