The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1867-10-03
HENRY CORDIER.
The Issues this Fall.

IL there De any one disposed 10 inquire, "hat
are the political National issues, which enter
into the elections to be held this fall, 1t may
safely be replied, they are not unlike the Is
sues that have been before the people of this
nation for the past six or more years. 1t is
true the democracy are striving to force other
matters as issues into the politics of the coun-
try, such as liquor prohibition, Sunday oo-
servance and other social questions, for the
purpose of diverting the public mind from the
main national questions of the day; but the
real issues, are essentially the same in kind
they have been during the war ofthe rebellion,
and since the cessation of hostilities. The
purpose Of the Republican organization, as
declared during the war, is still the same; it
has carried the country safely through the
perils of the rebellion, and no less important
part of its mission still is, to carry out the re-
suits of its victories, to a reconstructive ad-
justment of the states, which declared them
selves out of the Union. Should the Republi-
can party relax its efforts now; should it by
indifference and neglect, suffer itself to be di-
vested Of power, all the fruits of it's tolls and
its sacrifices would be lost. 1t has the same
enemies to day, that it has had to contend
with In the past. The men who opposed the
war, and who threw obstacles in the way of
It's progress, are now found in solid phalanx
in the Democratic party. These men are clam
orous for power to pass into their hands; will
The country entrust those with power, who
were in sympathy with the rebellious States
Those who were not with the supporters of
the Union in it's days of danger?
1t is true there were many honorable excep-
lions in the Democratic party of men who
stood mp manfully for the Union cause; these
exceptions are worthy of commentator. But
this cannot be said Of the Democracy as a par
ty; the collective sentiments of party, are
judged by its expressions in convention, both
State and National. The National Democrat
ic Convention, held at Chicago, at o time
when the war was in progress, proclaimed
boldly to the country, that the war was "a
faiIuTe' and demanded the 'immediaten ces-
sation of hostilities. This anti-war sentiment
expressed in the Democratic National Con
Vention, was re-echoed by the leaders of the
Democratic party, as well as By large pro-
portion of the Leading political journals of
that party, throughout all the northern States
And IL the tone of democratic journals and
politicians has been more subdued. and less
denunciatory of the war for the Union during
the past two years, it is because the over
wheiming victories of the Union armies ST.
fenced the more open denunciations before
manifested But even now, the successful
overthrow Of the rebellion, under the policy
of the Republican party and its administration
elieits not word of satisfaction or approval
by the democracy assembled in State Conven-
tton In Wisconsin. 1t might be readily infer
red from ought that appears in the proceed
ings of Democratic Conventions, that eveEy
thing done by the government in the defense
of the life of the nation, since the beginning
of the war, has been badly donei that the en-
reimbursement of four millions of American
people from the thraldom of servtude, is of
little or no account; indeed, if it be not pub.
lie calamity; and that the defeat and final VEN
quishment of rebel armies, is not matter for
congratulation. AT every step during the
progress of the war with the rebellion, the
party which is to day opposed to the Repub-
lican, was then the fault finding, complaining
and antl-war party. 1t was the party which
declared the south could not be conque red
indeed, that it ought not to be. It's leaders
throughout the north, manifested no satisfac-
ton over our victories or regrets over defeats.
Ihese same oppositionists, are in the Demo-
cratic ranks to day the same as they were six
years ago-the same as they have been during
the intervening years.
Now what does any reasonable man suppose
would be the national condition of the coun-
try, were such party to come into power !?
The men who denounced the war and declared
1t wrong and oppressive; who sympathised
with the slavehOlding South, and who are
now ready to make common cause with the
unrepentant, are not the men to be trusted
with the reins of government, unless we are
prepared to say, that the terrible conflict
through which we have passed. has been an
Improbable one, and that we had better I'M
do all that has been done the past six years.
There can therefore be no misapprehension,
as to the true issues before the people in the
coming elections. Republicans have the same
political foes to meet now, which they have
had to meet since 1860. 1t would seem that
they could hardly afford to let all the sacrifice
OF human life aud the immense amount of
treasure which has been expended, go for moth
ing A permanent peace, laid on the sure
foundation ofjustice and equal rights; such as
has been marked out by the Congressional
plan Of reconstruction, is the only hope Of
safety.