The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-11-19
For the Spirit of Democracy.
The senatorial Question.


The Benatorial question.
Next TO the defeat of the Negro
Amendment to the Constitution, the gain
of U. 8. Senator is the most important
result of the recent Democratic triumph
In Ohio. The advantage to the party of
this gain, in the opinion of the writer
hereof, depends very greatly upon who
shall be chosen; and as Mr.. Vallandig.
ham claims have been very fully pre-
sented in the Spirit, it is, perhaps, not
unfair to ask little space in which to
state some of the reasons which induce a
portion OF your readers to prefer another
gentleman for that position.
Those of US who do not make Mr..
Vallandigham our first choice, regard him
as a distinguished statesman, pure pat
riot, and hero who would boldly defend
what he believes to be right, even of
burning at the stake. We do not now
and never did doubt his unyielding devo-
tion to the Union of the States; and we
are, furthermore, convinced that the
clamor which has been raised against him
is as senseless as it is unjust.
| But believing all this, we are compelled
to admit that there is not statesman in
Ohio, or in the North, any where, who is
more odious to the opposition, and to a
certain element in our own party. That
this prejudice against Mr.. Vallandigham
deters many from uniting with the Dem
ocratic party may seem to us who know
him, exceedingly ridiculous, but who can
deny the fact?
Now it is better, infinitely better, to
recognize facts as they exist, whether they
be agreeable, or disagreeable, and pro-
ceed accordingly. By denying them we
deceive only ourselves, and inevitably
fall into error, and fail of success. Among
the facts bearing upon this question the
following are paramount:
/ l.. The Democracy are largely indebted
for their late splendid triumph to citizens
who have no. for some years acted with
the Democratic party. Many of these
voted for the Democratic candidates, and
many others remained away from the polls
purposely rendering us indirect aid.
/ 2. Our success in the future depends
altogether upon the continued co-opera-
| tion of these citizens, and upon securing
the approval and aid of other rejecting
4 Republicans. Az
/ 8. These citizens have assisted the
democratic party because it occupies a
4 liberal, moderate and conservative pesi.
| tien, and because its opponents constant.
| ly urged extreme and violent measures
and put forward for every important Office
extreme and violent men. -
| Can any of these statements be gain
, said? If they are true, is not the infer
ence obvious and irresistible that tt
achieve success the Democratic party
must avoid extreme measures and extrem,
men? Is it not sheer absurdity to expec
success from pursuing the identical lint
of policy which has defeated our oppo
nent?5
! Whether Mr.. Vallandigham be an ex
treme politician or not need not here b,
4 discussed. It cannot be disputed that b,
is SO regarded by those whom it is our in
terest to coneiliate; the effect is therefor,
exactly the Same as if he we're an admit
ted extremist.
Furthermore it would not seem crate
4 ful, or courteous,or prudent for us to ust
the victory, for which we are indebted t.
= these patriotic citizens, in such a way al
to outrage their feelings and their preju
! dices, Is there no lesson to be learned
from the Ohio election Of 1862, when ",
carried the State by FIVE thousand
and that of 1863, when we lost it by /.
hundred thousand? Even fools learn b,
experience; shall its teachings be lost up
on US? 'sS NA#a
+ Now in view Of the eminent impor
tance to the country Of the defeat of th,
/, Radicals at the next Presidential election
can we afford tolose, or even hazard tn
loss of. the balance of power in the thirt
State in the Union merely to compensat
an individual for real or supposed servi
! ces or sacri6ces2 Is not the theory correc
that no man has exclusive claims to an
: official position, but that his party an
his country have claims upon the ma
when either may need his services?
81 Finally, would not Mr.. Yallandighar
e immensely increase the obligations whic
many believe the patty owes him, BY gra
ciously retiring from contest in whic
his nameAproduaes discord, and awaitin
= a more propitious season for pressing hi
claims upon the party? IF he shall fai
to see the propriety Of this course, ,shoul
not the instincts Of self-preservatio
prompt the party to defer his reward un
: til it can be paid without imperiling tn
! hopes of the party for a Democratic Pres
i ident. HARMONY.
d Woman sufrage.i. III {.