Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-05-24
ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND TaE NEXT
PREsIDEECY.

JOSEPH GERHARDT, Dist. Of Columbia.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND THE NEXT
PREsIDEECY.
Prom the time that the Union National Re-
plblican Commlttee-composed OF gentlemen
possessing very high character and talents, and
enjoying the fullest confidence OF Union men
all over the country-deslgnated the 7th or
June proxlmo as the day on which a candidate
should be selected to bear aloft and to Victory
Americas insulted though proudly defiant ban
ner at the approaching Presidential election,
we have regarded all efforts to effect post
ponement Of the convention to later period as
most unwisc, and as fraught with great mis-
chief If successful. This plea for delay on ac-
count Of the opportunity 1t will afford for dis
cusslou, does not appear to US to be entitled to
much weight. Those who urge it, do so on the
ground that the people desire to ascertain the
relative qualifications, &C., Of the various as
pirants to the Presidency. The masses OF the
people have already discussed the question
fully, and decided 1t in a manner satisfactory
to themselves. They have ascertalnsd, beyond
doubt, that President Lincoln Is the choice,
overwhelmingly, o. the Union voters OF the
country.
This preference has been expressed by State
Legislatures, State conventions, the press and
in various other forms, with such a degree Of
uuanlmlty and enthusiasm as have been sell
dom Witnessed in favor Of any former candi-
date for the Presidency. But there are other
considerations OF the mightlest import which
demand the reelection of Mr.. Lincoln. or oil
the men who have adorned tho Presidential
Office TWO successive terms, there was not one
but whose second term nigh. have been well
supplied by some noble compeer, without, in
the least, cndangering the stability OF the Gov
crnuent or jeopardiEing any essential interest
How different the state OF things now exist.
ing. To show this, 1t is necessary to recite
briefly some OF the startling events which i'm
mediately preceded Mr.. Lincoln's inaugura-
ton, and to make some general observations
in reference 10 his course and conduct during
the progress OF his administration. he found
himself, then, on assuming the reins OF gov
crnment, In the midst OF men who had been
long engaged in the diabollsm Of plotting trea
son against the United States. He found that
several Of the States had passed Ehat they
termed ordinances OF secession, and that seye-
raj others were tending in the same fatal d.
rection-declarlng that they owed no allegi-
nnce to the Government OF the United States,
aud would resist its authority should Its en-
forcement be attempted. He found that GER
tain members OF the Cabinet of his immediate
predecessor, as well as OF both branches of
Congress, and also numerous officers of the
Army and Navy, had been cooperating in
chipping, in large quantities, the arms, ammu-
milton, &C., belonging to the Government,
from the loyal to the rebellious States. He
found that these perhdious wretches, these
Goddess traitors, had seized upon many OF the
forts, armories, arsenals, custom. houses, and
much other public property-embracing large
sums OF money.
We say that these perjured outlaws, with an
oath on their souls to support the Constitution
and laws, had perpetrated all these atrocous
crimes, and many others, before Mr.. Lincoln
was inaugurated President, and this was the
appalling condition Of our national affairs
with which he was forced al once to grapple.
We'll, how has he borne himself since his aeces-
sion to the Presidency At every step taken
he has encountered the most ineTplIcable pub
lie entanglements, requiring for their solution
the soundest and most penetrating judgment,
as well as the most sagaclous statesmGnship,
and he has proved himself equal to the situation.
What would be thought OF the man who
should have the temerity to assume that, be-
cause 1t required a struggle OF seen years by
the immortal Washington and his illustrioas
compeers to achieve American independence,
therefore Washington, as CommAnderIn-c chief,
was unequal to the task, and that 1t ought 10
have been entrusted to anotherl What, then,
should be thought Of those who assume that.
because this gigantic rebellOn-one OF the
most stupendous recorded in hlstory-has not
pceu crushed within three years, therefore the
Prestd at, as sCommAndSr-in.chlsf,is 10 UNEQUAL
to the task Of supprsssing Ii
lndsr the wise direction OF tao President,
the dimensons Of the rebellion have been grad.
uaIly decreasing-"growing smaller by degrees
ana beautifully less"-untll now its days may
DO sara TO be numbered. Hazardous, indeed,
would IL be, al time like this, TO change for
another our Pilot who is go gallantIy conduct.
Ing the Ship OF State to an anchorage from
which no storm, rage it never SO furiousIv
shall ever driVehsr A change now for anotncr
--we care not hoV patriotic and wile that other
might bs-Would have the instantaneous etIsct
Of Inspiring the dropping heart OF foul rebellion