The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-12-03
The Electoral Colleges.


The Electoral Colleges will meet and organ
Sc at the Capitols OF the several States on tues
dav. Dec 9th. On the following day the votes
will he given which are to constitute ABRA-
HAM LINCOLN President and ANDREW JOHN
SON Vice-President of the United States for
four years from the 4th OF March next. The
formal counting of the votes by Congress and
the proclamation of the result by Vice-Presi-
dent Hamlin will be made the second week in
February. This proclamation will be made in
accordance with the great verdict of a tree
people rendered on the Sth inst.
Thus will be published to the world the mo
menJous truth in which SO many millions OF
the Old as well as of the New World are deep
ly interested, that the citizens of this Republic
have sworn to preserve the integrity OF their
nationality, and to proclaim Liberty TO all. we
have never for one moment doubted the patrl
otism Of the masses of the people of all politi-
cal organizations, and their desire to see the
old Flag of the Union float triumphantly, in
the pure breezes of heaven, over every acre of
our national domain.
Taat noble patriot, Patrick Henry, once
said he could pardon something TO the spirit of
liberty, aud we can say we can pardon some
thing to partisan feelings and political preju-
dices. There is binding power in these pre-
possessions, q distracting force 10 these predi-
lections which haze great influence over the
minds Of men in free Republic; and while
these forces may sonnet times induce many peo-
pie to cast their ballots for unworthy men or
supple tools thrust before them by artful dem
agogaes and political harlequins, they do not
quench the 1res, OF liberty burning 10 their
hearts, nor destroy that love of country which
aninAtes their bosoms.
Several years ago, when that great orator,
statesman aud patriot, Kossuth, visited this
country and made some of the most eloquent
speeches ever listened to in any country, or in
auy age, he said that American politics turn
Ell upon policies not on principles. We were
not surprised when that great man uttered
these sentiments. They were spoken at time
In our history when we were apparently on the
full tide OF successful experiment OF self-gov-
ern aent, and nothing was at stake but the in
teresGs OF party. The contests were then wag-
ed % the ground OF policies. There were two
armies ia the political ield the ins and the
outs one struggling to hold offices, the other
struggling to obtain them.
Kossuth looked upon these political battles
for official power and emolument in this great
country as a very little thing, when compared
with the struggles in the old world and espec-
tally in his own land, between the spirit of lib
erty on the one hand aud the power Of despo-
tism on the other. 1t was not strange that such
a man, al exile from his own country, driven
ORTIZ into the world by a cruel despotism, and
deprived Of property, home and friends, and
worse than all to him, leaving his country
bleeding at every pore, should thus character
ize our political contests.
But the aspect of American affairs has wol-
derfully changed, and Kossuth now views our
struggles in a different light and from differ
ent standpoint. That his sympathy is with
the North there can be no doubt His noble
heart beats in unison with Gasparin, L Aboulaye.
Martha, Golden, Bright and other liberals OF
Europe. 1t seemed strange to him that Amer
leans, possessing the freest government ia the
world, should think more OF party STRUGGLES
for Office than they did of the struggles OF Hun
garians and other nations of Europe for the
rights of humanity. Such a view made hin
sick at heart, and hence his characterization Of
our political sqnabbles.
But co return to our recent election, the re-
suit Of which win be formally proclaimed 10
the world next February. 1t has uttered a
fs,.ytfI k,o has ~ 4
its power viii be felt in millions OF patriotic
hearts in every land which furnishes homes lor
our race. Aud the power OF this voice is best
seen ia the general and instant acquiescence
of the minority in the result of the election
throughout all the loyal States. No mere po-
litical force could have produced such re-
suit on an excited people, but it was a moral
power, deep and strong, that produced suoh a
happy contamination. Its effect upon future
political parties that may spring up in our
country will be marked and powerful. 1t has
strengthened and developed love olcouutry,
and given demagogues and traitors a lesson
which they will never forget. 1t has serious
ly damaged and marred the name of Democ-
racy which has SO long been the rallying point
Of great party. Its pretended friends hav,
ki.lei it. And none but traitors and den a.
g,guss could have thus deprived it Of its
charms, but associated with such cla,s ,
itcould not survive. When championed by
such men as V allandigham, Wood, JEFF Davis
and company, democracy must lose its hold
upon loyal hearts, and other names sought
to supply its place.
Ii We mistake not the signs Of the times, tht
word Democracy is destined TO become as obi
Gus as the word Feieralist, especially if trai
tors and demagogues control the party rally
ing under it as they have for some time past.
Washington bore the name of Federalist ano
than, AID long afterwards, it was popular, but
waea The leaders of Federalism crossed and
distracted the war-path of the nation, then
sunk and none so poor as TO do it reverence.
So with the present leaders of democracy.
They have crossed the war path of the natio
and opposed the government of their country,
and they and the name they so unWorihi y
bear will sink into Que com,pon grave,
Election Returns.