American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-11-23
THE CALM.
BY REY. j. z. M'LAREN.

out to see what effect it has had on his
fields. He finds, perhaps, some of his
fences Frustrated and here and there
spot OF over-rank wheat ''lodged down."
and his corn looking little touseled and
straggly, but no great damage done. An
hours work replaces the rails, the wheat
rights itself as soon as the sun dries off its
extra load of moisture, the corn rows short.
ly dress up" like soldiers in line. and
the earth rejoices in the strength, fresh
ness and purity it has received from the
lately pouring heavens. Exhilerated and
grateful, in the sunshine and calm, Mr..
Sparrowgrass caunot but admit to him<
self, that rain storms, even with the ac-
compartment of thunder and lightning,
are good things to have in the country"
Our quadrennial election gales have
just passed. The questions at issue were
of vast Importance, the interests involved
were weighty and valuable the feeling
elected was earnest and deep. The op-
position of parties was decided the con-
test was conducted with the greatest Wig
or. 1t wrs grand sight to contemplate.
The eyes of the civilized world were upon
it. The sleek aristocracy of England,
who still bold that Republican Govern
ment, Is mere theory, an experiment,
an illusion, had their peculiar "opes" and
"hidcas" about it. The forlorn aristoc-
racy Of rebeIdom anticipated refreshing
scenes Of violence and bloodshcd, at least
faint counterpart of those which their
insane ambition has introduced among
themselves The wicked threatened, per-
haps plotted, atrocities; the timorous ap-
pretended their occurrence the prudent
wardcd them off Those who have con-
templatcd the progress of the recent po-
ltica contest with the highest thoughts
of God and Of the peoples probity, have
been the most assured, and the event has
justified their confidence.
The matter is aettled The election is
made. And historic review of the cam
paign demands the acknowledgement that
it was conducted with more quietness and
less clamor than VIC have usually had
during the Presidential caovass. Though
it was the first we have over had during
! the pendcncy of war. if We except the
uncomfortable and distant Mexican war,
! and though in this election the war of the
! rebellion was the essential clement of the
contest, yet we have passed through the
contest smoothly and safely. The inter-
ests at stake were too solemn to admit
much of pageantry, and while our breth-
rem were on the bloody field or pining
with famine in rebel prisons, our hearts
we're too heavy for songs.
There was probably less demagogism
in this election than in most that have
preceded it, and what there was of this
selfish impertinence was, in the main,
nobly spurned. The people were guided
! by their own convictions, and with the
impulse of true patriotism, they were en-
abled to act wisely and strongly. There
was, undoubtedly, corrupt clique Of poll
tieians in the North who favored acqules-
cence in the claims of the Southern con-
spirators who brought on the rebellion.
! The conviction of this, in the peoples
mind, occasioDed the defeat of the party,
whose once honorable name these politi-
clans had usurped. They seem, indeed,
to have had some fears that this convic-
ton existed among those who venerated
that name, and this fear suggested the
chicanery Of their deceptive motto, '"rhe
Union at all hazards" This pretense,
while a proof Of their own dupicity, was
"a tribute to the good sense and patriot
ism Of the great body of our people. The
haze created by the seeming discrepancy
between their nominee and those who
nominated him, probably misled some
honest voters but not enough to compen-
/ II Il 4.
to the probity and patriotism of our peo-
pie, that,the most rabid sympathizers with
the Rebels, have seldom dared to shock
their loyal minds by the advocacy and ap-
proval of results which their measures
obviously tended
The election is made. 1t has been done
coolly, quietly, wisely. Gratitude is due
to God, both for the result and the pro-.
cess, and the manner of it. 1t has been
blazoned on the banners of both parties,
that the Union shall be preserved, Let
both join with renewed energy in max,
ing that promise and aspiration good. Let
the old feeling Of brotherhood, that uni
versally thrilled the loyal heart of the,
nation in 1861. be restored. Let us unite
to support the Government in its one
great aim, to suppress the rebellion, and
restore the Union. Let us do this that
sweet peace may the sooner smile ou our
land, that our Southern brethren may be
freed from the iron despotism that is corr
sumng them, that our brave defenders
may return to their homes.
The last hope of the conspirators was a
divided North A cloud, if not an utter
blight, has been put on that hope by the
late election. The acquiescence Of the
people of the United States in the con-
| stitutional decision, has never been with
held but oace. The guilty few who have
deluged our country with blood are the
exception--an eternal horror to the world
The eyes of the world are upon us. The
graceful subsistence of party excitement,
the coalescence of party elements in patri-
otic purposes, the union of the people af-
| ter party strifes, are things that do not
exist and are not understood except among
intelligent and free people. The success
of party gives no right to indulge pro-