The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1864-02-06
THE NEXT PRESIDENT.

: Who shall he be? This question is fast be-
coming the theme Of conversation, and each day
brings the necessity of its careful consideration
nearer to our doors. The events of the next six
months may in some degree modify the public
sentiment in reference to who shall be the man,
bnt the great questions of State and National
policy have been already settled for the incom-
ing Administration, and now all that remains to
be done is to watch the progress of events for a
few weeks, and select the man who shall stand
at the helm, and guide the Ship of State out of
the present storm.
1t took England several hundred years to par
TALLY determine the boundary line between the
power of the Throne and the rights of Parliament,
but the Shareholders Rebellion of America will
in two Presidential terms turn over one of the
most important, gigantic and significant pages
Of human history. The light of thousand years
is COMPRISING its logical results into the space
of a few hours. What struggle so vast as the
one now to be determined 1t is left for the
Unilej States to determine the individuality of
man. the power of Republican institutions, and
the ability of the people for self government.
Who, then, is qualified to eit at the helm and
guide in such hour as this Who has the
integrity. and confidence of the people, to stead
lily guide them to the logical consumation OF
eyents Who can grasp and solve the porten-
tious problems of each changing hour? Under
whose leadership can the political parties Of the
North best acquiesce? Who can best secure the
confidence of the masses of the South, at the very
hour when the combined forces of the Nation are
alaJ fbov of ,of
power, SO utterly inimical to free men and free
institutions? The man who can best do these
things is the man for the incoming President Of
the United States.
Mere statesmen and politicians will not meet
the necessities. Higher qualities are demanded.
Wisdom. integrity, moderation, frmness. and
deep philosophic ken to analyze the tnmultuous
storm, are the main prerequisites Of the hour.
To whom can the Nation better turn than to its
present Chief Magistrate? Who better under
stands the issue Who has more Of public con-
fdence I? To whom can the misguided poor
white men of the rebelious States more honorably
and easily submit than to man who in early
life was one of themselves? Who, since Wash
ington, has pursued policy SO just, so patriotic
and so impartial, that party lines have been
almost oblit.rated The love of the Union and
the mild and impartial policy of the President
has virtually dissolved all party lines and
blended in great party all the true friends Of
the Government
In Lincoln genuine Democracy and Republi-
can principles are SO united, that both can con-
fide in his Administration. The great issue
between the friends of the Union and the Slave
power. has not only dissolved all minor questions
but it has placed the issue of 1864 between the
friends and enemies Of the Union. The question
Is, whether the present policy shall be vigorously
pressed to an early and successful termination,
or whether a new and indefinite one shall be
adopted. which shall compromise principles,
sunder the Union, and entail on our children
the heritage of perpetual war? To this question.
true Democrats and Republicans have but one
answer. And they will join hands in the Presi
Dental struggle, and select man for Chief
Magistrate who will press the strong and full
cup Of force to the Rebellion till its power is
broken. 1t is in vain to attempt to coneiliate
the leaders of the Rebellion. Their power must
be broken. If so. under whose leadership can
the people better rally, than Q man wise in
couhsei. anu Pre-eminentiy impartial ana just
The events of the war. the signs of the times
the sentiments of the people, and the military
necessities Of the hour, demand that the policy
Of the incoming Administration should be the
firm and steady tread of the past few months
If so. can we change our Chief Magistrate with
out vastly procrastinating the war. and putting |
in jeopardy the welfare of the Nation and World
in the great struggle for permanent peace. human
and selfrcyernment? JrN.