The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-06-19

New Political Issues.
PEACE AND IT'S OBLIGATIONS.

The call for State Convention conn
pels us again to consider political affairs.
We have to prepare for IN important cleo
ton. We must discuss and IN q measure
de termine new and very difficult ques-
tons. The war that for four years has
absorbed public attention. is now happily
over. Peace for which We have strug-
eled so long, is gained. and without dis
honor or compromise. Applause. There
is no longer any armed organized oppo-
sition to the constituted authorities. The
Constitution and laws are acknowledged
as in force in every part of our vast coun-
try. Our flag floats in triumph from
Maine to Texas. The first feeling Of ev-
cry true American is ons of unbounded
thankfulness and joy-thankfulness to the
Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and to
every man who has performed any part in
our deliverance; JOY for country
strengthened by dangers overcome-snd
no longer in fear of enemies at home or
abroad.
But our difficulties do not end with the
war. 1t has left US legacy not only of
glories, but of burdens We have . vast
public debt, the necessity of largely in.
creased expenditure. and complicated po-
litical questions growing out of the con-
dition of the Southern States. From the
nature of our Government, all these mat
tiers must come before the people. Con-
gress aud the President may be required
to aat upon them in the first instance, but
their ultimate decision must rest with you
The Importance of these questions will
not felt before. Compared with these is
sues how insignificant appear our old po
litical differences. Who could get excited
now over the old issues of the Wing and
Democratic parties? All of them in new
forms will appear again in our politics,
but they are dwarfed by questions of inf
nitely greater moment.
NECESSITY OF PARTY ORGANIZATION.
In considering these matters, we must
remember that the people cannot pass d..
rectly upon political issue. They can
only speak through political organizations.
five bad some way of taking judgment
upon what the lawyers call special YER
diet, or in an agreed case, we could then
discuss it more logically, but the people
can only speak through representatives.
We must vote with those who agree with
Us generally, and must tolerate reason.
able difference of opinion in minor ques-
tons. Our influence can only be felt as
We can control party by our judgment
or vote. The fret and paramount ques
ton therefore with every sensible man is
to determine what party or political organ
ization will best advance the safety and
honor of his country. This choice once
made is apt to be adhered to, especially
by foolish men, who are willing to have
other people think for them. Every pa
triotic man will constantly and carefully
notice the tendency of parties, and sup
port the one or the other, as his judg-
ment determines.
IGNoMINT OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
1t has been the boast of the, Democratic
party that it governed this country for
sixty years, and that during that time our
country advanced with wonderful rapidity
in population and wealth. This may be
true; but it is certainly true that the rule
of the Democratic party eliminated in a
Shareholders rebellion; that nearly every
man of that party in the South became an
open traitor. and that the great body of
that party in the North did all they could
to aid armed rebels to destroy our cosn-
try. When the young meH of our coun-
try are choosing their political fellowship
they ought to remember this fact. At
the last Presidential election, when our
country was in the EXTREMIST agony of
civil war, this party solemnly abandoned
the contest. They declared the war a
failure, and demanded cessation of hos
tilities. and upon this basis great party,
Boosting OF its integrity, appealed to pa
triotic public to commit suicide, to ac.
knowledge defeat, to submit to dissolution
and anarchy. Among the fearful dan.
gers which we have passed, the greatest
danger was undoubtedly from the Demo-
cratic party. Its success last fall would
have been death; lis defeat was our ma
tional life.
A friend of mine, whose daughter is
now at Rome, received letter from her
written while General Sherman was Wis.
ting South Carolina. She wrote: sob,
father. how fortunate you are; you know
where Sherman has gone, but we are in
deep distress for our next door neighbor,
General Mcclellan, is croaking, and say
Ing that Sherman and his army can never
march through that country, and will be
destroyed as the Roman legions were des-
troyed under Varus. This was the cho.
sen leader of our Democratic friends, and
he was infinitely better than those lead
ers, and the platform upon which they
placed him. Cheers ] Surely this old
party should gracefully acknowledge it's
political death, and allow their organiza.
ton to perish with the rebellion, upon the
success OF which alone it could hope to
retain the confidence of the people. It's
individual members are cordially invited
to examine, free from old party bias, the
difficult questions growing out of our sue
cess; but in doing 80, they ought to re.
member that they acknowledged them
selves whipped year ago, and on ght to
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