Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1867-11-14
Lesson Of tn. EIsstions.

FFOn1uc SOuic Ieyu lG10-I IfsofHeT. ....t..
The results OF the late elections It N
needless to say, have been anything but
satisfactory to us. While we have suc-
ceeded in electing Gen. Hayes as Gov
ernor of Ohio, and a majority of the
Pennsylvania Legislature, the Copper
heads have majority in the Ohio Leg
islature, and have elected their oandl-
date for Supreme Judge of Pennsylvania.
The proposed amendment to the CoBsti-
tuition of Ohio, conferring the elective
franchise upon citizens Of African deg
cent has been heavily defeated, and ths
Governor elected by an insignificant MAJ
jority.
y We attribute the result In Ohio to
variety of causes, among which the more
prominent were the unreasoning PRO-
judiee which measures human rights by
the color Of the skin, and the false and
dangerous views which were so industrl-
ously circulated by the unscrupulous and
dishonest Copperhesds concerning tho
national finances. Other minor questions
also entered into the canvass, and con-
tributed to our defeat.
In every such contest, the party, which
like the so-called Democracy, scorns all
moral obligation and unblushingly re-
sorts to every species of fraud and dis
honesty to accomplish its ends, enjoys
temporary advantage over lite moro hon.
orable opponent. But victories won by
such means are only transient in their
effects, and ddefeatssustained at the hands
of such foes entail no dishonor.
The Republican party has q great misr-
sion to perform. II is the only champion
of those immortal principles SO eloquent
ly enunciated and SO heroicafly main
tanned by the founders of our Goveru-
ment, and which the so-called Demoera-
cy have 30 shamefully abandoned and
betrayed. We have an abiding faith
that II will eventually triumph; that ths
day will some when those who now most
bitterly oppose it, will become sufficient-
ly enlightened to comprehend its objects,
and will strive to forget their fOrmsr
blindness and infatuation. We are CON-
tending for principles which are as etes-
nally just and right as are the laws
which govern the Universs, and though
for the time they may be voted down.
though lie may be declared TO be the
truth-yet the false verdict will he re-
versed, and the unjust judgmant sss
aside. - ..s
Composed as the Republican party u.
of that portion of the people who ap-
knowledge moral obligation, it is im-
possible TO concentrate its strength when
bad men become candidates. While ths
Copperheads can nominate AorTissey
or a Turpie, and poH every vote of this
party for them, while even the respscta'
bic @ members OF the party will vote
unhcsitatingly forthe keeper of n brothsl,
or gambling-hell, as fit representative
of their principles, it is not 30 with the
Republicans. We must in order to bs
consistent, select honest and honorable
men for our standard bearers, while no
such necessity rests upon our political
opponents. Let this be remembered in
all our nominating conventions.
| We have no reason to be at all disheart-
! ened at our defeat. 1t Is by no means
/ the first time that the chompions Of
Wrong and Oppression have made tbs
night hideous by their orgies around
what they fondly believed to be the sep
| ulcher of Liberty and Justice; but when
the night had passed by, they found
what they thought to be death was only
sleep, and that like giants refreshed by
their slumber, Liberty again donred her
glorious robes, and Justice girded him
! self anew for sterner conflict.
So it will he in the present contest
The party which under the leadership Of
Vallandigham has achieved a temporary
success, will find that its victory is but
the precursor of defeat go Overwhelm-
ing, that its scattered hosts shall never
again be marshalled in opposition 70
Right and Truth. ..