Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1865-06-30
OUR DUTY.

Once more we are entering upon d great
political campaign. The interests now at
stake cannot be less important than in
preceding contests at the ballot-box. 1t
is true that the fearful sound of war has
been hushed, and that we wait no longer,
with breathless anxiety, the details of ter
rible battles. The shrill bugle that was
to announce the return of our War-WOrn
veterans has already echoed and re-echoed
throughout the valleys and over the hills.
Their tread has been heard IN our streets,
and their presence gladdens many homes.
The contest with armed traitors is over,
and victory has perched upon u banner;
but is our duty now done? 1t Is the duty
of the American citizen to be ever jeal-
Gus and ever Watchful of the liberties Of
his country, but never was that duty more
incumbent on him than at the present
time. Though we are no longer startled
by the alarms of war, yet the danger IS
not over.
We cannot suppose that our late deadly
enemies have been suddenly converted IN
to friends and good citizens. We cannot
believe that their intense hate toward our
Government has given place TO love and
reverence. They have put IN the sem
blance of loyalty, but we fear that under
meath this there turks the demon that has
inspired them during them the last four
years.
They have seen the uselessness of arm
ed resistance, yet we cannot think that
they have lost all hope. They will en-
deavor to accomplish at least some of
their designs, in the political arena, and
there is danger that those endeavors Will
not be altogether futile. They have not
mistaken the feelings of those who, IN
the North, continually cried peace,
peace during the late rebellion, and
since then have discoursed on the duty
of being magnanimous to a fallen foe
They know that there are men In the
North who sympathized with them, and
they knew that these men, though too
eowardly to march with them to the field
of battle. will work shoulder to shoulder
with them in the field of politics. We
repeat there is danger here, and we should
be very careful lest the reward and the
blessings of victory should be snatched
from the country IN the very hour of her
triumph.
In such a time as this we should be
discreet in our choice of rulers. We
must not suffer ourselves to be blinded
and thus carried over to the side of our
enemies. Their batteries will be profuse
and their profession of devotion to the
Union will be loud, but to these we must
pay no heed. Whenever a man calls on
us for our support, who a few months
ago told us that "the war was a failure, y
we may well distrust him; but when we
have men presented to us who have al
Uays stood by the Government, we can
cheerfully use our influence for them
Such is the character of the men whom
the Union party of our State has placed
before the people for their suffrage
These men have not only fought the enc
my at home, but some of them have led
our brave soldiers in battle.
But much as we admire the candl-
dates, we cannot admire them more than
the Convention which nominated them.
Here were assembled men who have
cheerfully contributed of their means to
destroy rebellion; here were men who ex-
erted their utmost energies to sustain the
Government in the State and National
councils; and here, too, were soldiers-sol-
diers who have borne our flag on many a
bloody feld-who have marched from
Atlanta to the sea, and from the sea to
Raleigh and victory. Here, certainly, we
would find loyalty if it were to be found in
our State. Of such a Convention, and of
such men, we need have no fear.
Around such a standard-bearer as Gen.
J. d. Cox, supported by such a Conven-
ton as nominated him, and representing
principles that are dear to every true
American, the Union men Of this State
can rally and give him our undivided
support. In so doing, we can serve and
honor our beloved State, and make her
already glorious name still brighter.
Gin. Gazette.