The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1868-03-21
PendIe+on for President.

&c, which we clip from the Occidental and
Vanguard, to the consideration of those
wcak-knced, timid, cowardly Democrots
who prophecy defeat, unless we select a
military, haIfand.half, policy, milk-and-
water political noDdescript for our stand.
ard bearer in the approaching Presiden-
tial contest. Read, timid admirers of
shoulder.strapped political hybrids:
BY telegraph we learn that Hon.
Geo. IL. Pendlcton, of Ohio, has received
the endorsement Of the Democracy of
West Virginia, Ohio and Indiana, through
their State Conventions, as their choice
for Democratic Standard bearer at the
next Presidential election. These are
the only States that have spoken, but
from present indications we think there
is but little doubt that the entire West
and Northwest will present an unbroken
front for him at the National Conven-
tion. Surprising this view to be correct
it would appear that his nomination is
almost foregone conclusion. II is true
that the names of other gentlemen have
been mentioned in connection with
the nomination, but this has been done
by Il few warm friends and admirers
while nothing has transpired to show
that they arc the choice Of the masses of
the party in any State.
Dir. Pendleton is a gentleman of fine
attainments, distinguished ability, and
lrrcproachable reputation, whilst his
Democracy is unimpeachable. With such
standard bearer as him the Democratic
masses would proudly and enthusiastic
ally enter upon the campaign with the
certainty of success TO stimulate their
excrtions. There are other gentlemen
who would be acceptable to the people.
but, unless we mistake the popular feel
| Ing, the nomination Of no man will be
satisfactory rho Is not kn0rn 10 be a
Dem0crat. We want no military leader
whose principles and sympathies are
against US but whose ambition to be
President exceeds his honesty Of purpose.
In our judgment the idea which seems to
be entertained by certain politicians, that
success depends upon the nomination of
military hero, is entirely erroneous
The people are sick and tired of military
rule. They have had enough of it dur
ing the last SIX or seven years, Heaven
knows, aud they are well aware that the
laurels won by Generals on the field of
battle years ago will not exiricatc the
country from It's present deplorsble aud
alarming condition. The Southern States
must be restored TO their proper relations
with tha Envarnmaut sIa -..:.a..z -
ton that opprcsses the country must be
materially reduced, and hundred other
important questions must be settled. To
do this will require eminent statesman
ship. Starred collars and strapped shoul-
ders will not do it. With all due defer
ence aud respect for honorable officers.
the necessities of the times demand that
civilian aud statesman should guide the
helm of State. 1t is an error to suppose
that military furor will materially affect
the result Of Presidential election. No
attempt to manufacture such excitement
will succeed. 1t is true that Harrison
and Taylor rode into power on such a
tide, but the times have changed. The
country when they were elected, was in a
state of profound peace and unbounded
prosperity, no danger was meuacing, no
vital questions divided parties, and con-
sequently there was little need for the ex-
ercise of profound craftsmanship to con-
duet the government safely aud prosper
ously. The people entered into those
campaigns in frolicsome mood knowing
that the elevation of those military he
roes would not endanger the country. 1t
is different now. There is too much
stern reality confronting them, too many
imminent perils surrounding them to ad-
NIT of dangerous experiments, or clap
trap and tomfoolery. In the approaching
campaign the people will be terribly in
earnest No log cabin or hard cider songs
will divert them from their fixed purpose
to save the country from the dangers into
which radicalism has plunged it. To sue.
coed, then, the Democrats have only to
nominate men in whose craftsmanship and
honesty the masses have confidence, upon
a good, sound, Constitutional platform
1t they fail to do this and attempt to steal
radical thunder by nominating Radical
in diguise simply because he is military
man, and place him upon doubtful plat
form, defeat will and ought to overtake
them. The fight, to be successful, must
be made for principles. No scramble for
spoils will command the support or res
pect of the people.