Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-10-05
A Last Word---The Import
ance of the Election.

The political contest of 1865 is about
to close, and its results for veal or
woe become a part Of the history of
the country. We may have overesti-
mated the Importance Of the issue, or
misunderstood the questions involved
in 1t, but we have honestly believed
and still think the issue is one which
is not and cannot be confined to State
limits In its results, and that questions
are involved that will seriously affect
If not entirely change the character of
our Government. There is q contest
in the democratic" Party between
those who have been loyal to the Gov
ernment during the past five years and
those who have been disloyal, AZ to
which shall control and give principles
to the party. In New York the loyal
element has succeeded in getting pos
session of the organization, and has
thoroughly cleansed itself from entang-
ling alliances with treason, and read
out OF the party the pro rebel leaders
that, under the direction of SEYMOUR,
WooD, and the Brooks, have made it
an emissary Of treason; and have estab-
lisbed 1T upon loyal platform and
nominated ticket good Republicans
and Union men, who have never acted
with the party before. In Ohio the
VALLAEDIGHAM element has succeeded
in fastening his reasonable sentiments
upon the party platform, and they de-
nounce the New York Democracy as
having sold out TO the Abolition Party.
These two wings of the democratic"
Party are trying in their State cam
paigns to make the Platform for the
"Democratio' Party in the Nation, and
the success in the present issue OF
either of these wings or sections will
place it in position to dictate to the
Party its policy for the future.
The contest, therefore, in Ohio, may
be regarded as National contest, and
the questions involved in it are of i'm
portance, In so far as they foreshadow
the future policy Of the democratic"
Party, not only in Ohio but in the Ma
ton. In this view of the subject II Is
important that we examine the ques-
tions presented, and calmly determine
whether they are such "a should be
adopted and engrafted upon tho future
policy OF the Government or not; and
In doing this we should not be infiuen
ced by party considerations or person
al motives, but, in the calm and light
Of reason and as citizens of great
country that has just emerged from a
terrible civil war that originated in
difference of opinion as to the charac-
ter and powers Of the Government un-
der which we live, we should examine
and determine.
What are the questions involved in
the issue3 The FIRST six resolutions of
The Democratic Platform declare in
favor OF State Rights, as laid down In
the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
Of '9S and 90. These Resolutions vera
held as "incendiary" at the time of
their adoption by the Legislatures of
nine ofthe thirteen original States of
ths Onion, and denounced by them as
3asgerous to the safety of the country.
ihey, IN 1880, were made the basis of
!e Nulliisation movement of South
carolina, aud Mr.. CALHOUN and Mr.
HAYSE, the great champions of Nullif-
cation. referred TO these Resolutions
'or their authority In defending the
Qualification movement Of their State
la 1860, the advocates of secession
7sre the great champions OF the Estate