Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-10-19
What was settled by the Elec-
tons,

The tendency IS always TO estimate the
present danger. or the present duty. or the
present anything. as exceeding in import
ance that which we have already expert
eneed. or as being of more pressing vitality
than anything anticipated in the future
Al this comes from the laws which govern
the human mind, and that disposition to
give to things present, often times. all of
our attention. We do not stop to reason
accurately. nor trouble ourselves to com
pare the past with the present. nor to c; re-
fallv estimate results and causes.
Each election. with the ardent politician,
and the impulsive citizen, looms up in i'm
por.ancc above ali preceding ones. Per-
sonally and to himself, this may be tue,
while to the country at large it may not be
true for there are times when the decis-
ions of the ballot box affect for veal or
woe, the destinies of this great country for
long years TO come. There are other times
when great principles may not be involved
in the issue. and the result only affects per-
sons desiring place and power.
The Presidential election of 1864 was ono
of the deepest import. The life of this
great nation was on trial, and the verdict
of the people as rendered in November
that year. at the voting precincts OF the
several states WAS of the highest moment.
and settled the character Of TIE great con-
t,st of arms then going on. and saved the
nation. 1t was Il battle in which every
citizen took part, and in viii: every man
woman and child had the deepest interest.
The fate OF the nation was never hazart!ed
IN single battle Of the contending armies
OF the great conflict. but il was in issue in
The Presidential battle of 1864. and it ter
minated glorioHsly. Able leaders on both
sides marshaled the contending forces and
led them on to victory or defeat. Oh, how
great was that Victory, and how disastrous
was that defeat. The elections of the 9th.
cf the present month of the four states
which chose sixty Representatives to Con-
gress, settles the character ofthe next Con-
gress, and secures the peace of the coun-
Try. measurably. 1t is a verdict against
President Johnson and his strange theories.
Ii puts to rest the new dogma that rebels
shall be restored to all their forfeited rights
and privileges. at once. land placed in posi-
lion TO sit in judgment on their own past
acts. 1t secures. no doubt, the adoption
of the wise and beneficent plan of recon
struction recommended by the last Con-
Sress 1t settles the principle OF the one
man power. certainly. and assures the
country that the masses still have faith in
i Il, ~
tive is only coordinate branch of the
Government, and that the President alone
is not all the nation; and without large
stretch of the Imagination we may suppose
also that the recent verdict of the great
states of Pennsylvania, Ohio. Indiana. and
Iowa. in its resultant consequences, secures
10 the nation peace. and turns away from
our borders. another civil war. To be full
" assured of this, we have only to reverse
i'm imagination the result of the recent elec-
lion. aud study out what the influence Of
euch a erdiet would be on the President
and his coaljnfafors. How determmedly
doygetl'y. and unreasonably would Pre,i-
dent johnson have pushed his policy,
clear to the point of revolution. had these
states through executive power and frand
carried the election lay even the most tri-
fling malorities. With such men as the
Rlairs TO push him on on the one side, and
the Establishments of future power urging
On the other side, with the opportunities
and intriagues Of the Southern men who
h-~e always in the past controlled the po-
Uticai destnies nf the naiion--men now
ont If their native elrmcnt because out OF
p,wer. and still restless and ambitious,
VIII at a strife would be before us. And
this when the nation desires and needs re-
n.ss beyond I'LL else. We can hardly es
Innate the Importance TO the country OF
,,.r,ul,t decision oil the receM elections
mar LSy maeh was really involved IN them.
The mere question whether The President
xhnvld eo,.finu. 10 bcstaw Office ON Cop
prrh.aas on trading Republicans. is OF the
Slightest consequence. This settles liz
,,-i,,eip.es, determines no measures oil Con
ross. nor affects the uatign at large. hu
Inc Grand questions Of E',o shall ra e 10
r,..j5a. the President ar the Peehie' ~
w',s.,sr We ss1ll haTe fetec o. e'T.i st7i'
AGAIN. wl,;ch wers IN ISSUE are h'pN'.
S.el right, a..d We 6 Dear al Z or
y aIr OF ssd io4ser.