Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-09-13
OUR OPPONENTS. :"

The Californian, the leading literary
journal of the Pacific Coast, has under
gone an editorial change, and from Il
strictly literary paper, ignoring political
affairs, has become staunch supporter Of
the Union and the Lincoln Administra-
ton. Its leader of last Saturday is
headed " Our Opponents" and contains
the following sensible advice against I'M
derra;ing the enemy:
Undertaking an adversary undoubtedly IA
cilitates ones preparations for battle, but
does not always ensure i termination that
shall be pleasant to ones self. The loyal
press have, with but few exceptions, under
estimated the importance Of the nomination
Of Geo. B. Mcclellan BY the Chicago Con-
vention. Looking upon him merely as the
nominee Of 4 party whose platform is utterly
obnoxious to the Union-loving majority
viewing him altogether as an abstract prin-
ciple, to be defeated and overcome by another
abstract principle, they have counted on an
easy victory. Even those who are willing to
admit the ambiguity Of his position-who
contrast his West Point war speech with the
peace platform Of the party that nominated
prognosis of its effect upon the campaign.
War Democrats, they argue, will avoid him
because Of his party; Peace Democrats be-
cause of his principles. The effect of
simple transposition Of these propositions IS
logical sequence that never seems to have
entered their minds.
1.-THE campaign could be confined to con-
test of principles, there would be but little
doubt of the result. But the popularity Of
men enters strongly into our struggle; prin-
ciules which are in themselves Interchangeable
are absorbed by leaders who are changeable
and inconstant. We, who have been fighting
these three years for 4 principle, ind our
selves no longer Radical" Abolitionist,
or" Union" but simply Lincoln men, and
il behooyes US TO take the popularity OF an
opponent into some account. That he Is
popular cannot be doubted. He has griey-
ance. The odor Of persecution, whether real
or assumed, clings TO his garments. This
offers an irresistible charm to many honest
people who would never allow themselves to
be attracted by recognized and exalted merit.
What Justice could be so poetic as the sue
cession Of the much abused servant to the
masters chair and what idea would occur
sooner to the well-regulated American mind
than the making Of poor President out Of
good General In the great cities he is an
especial fayorite. His reticence after his
dis9race-so different from the national ap-
titude for " Explanation" and "Defense-
whether the result of incompetency or not,
endeared him TO a respectable class who had
grown suspicious and wearied Of advertising
egotism. His West Point education, his
fondness for review and military pageantry
and his European experience, made him
popular with those aristocratic loyalists, who
love their country rather for its symbols and
traditions than its faith and principles, and
who hate rebellion because it implies anar-
chy. He has larger class Of worshippers in
these timid, vacillating souls, who, though
protesting loyalty to the government, would
not like 10 commit themselves to any party.
Such are the adherents Of the leader of the
West Point Chicago faction. Let us soundly
consider If We can afford to despise cham
pion who is able 10 enlist in his favor so
many Of the preJudices and weaknesses Of
our people. But we need not fear him, nor
abate one iota Of our efforts to return our
present honest Executive to the Presidential
chair.