Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-10-23
From Hsrpsr's Weekly.
"At the Point u the Bayonet T"

From Harpsrs Weekly.
AT the Point " the Bsyonet."
Every day makes II palmer that the
policy winch the D<mocrstic party has
chosen to submit to the public judgment
in this campaign is not one Of adminis-
tration merely, but Of absolute aud forci
bic revolution. 1t proposes to reverse all
the national Legislation Of the last three
years, TO subvert the reconstruction which
the country has approved. to desperse or.
gsnized State governments by the bsyo-
net; by the same means 10 reiDstste those
who, for the highest crime against the
common wealth, have been temporarily
DISTINGUISHED, to deprive hundreds Ut
thousands of new citizens Of the ballot,
aud thrust them back ia a semi enslsyed
condition, project which can not be sc-
compiished but by the most sanguinsry
measures. procIaining wholly arbit.
rary test OF citizenship IN color--a test
involving caste and inconceivable ipjus-
iice, which embraces the entire dissffect-
ed class, aud excludes, large body Of
the loyal peopie-it announces that If its
claim is disregarded IL will appeal to
"phy steal force" and place its candidate
in the White House At the point Of the
bsyonet.
Il will not be forgotten that the psr.y
which thus enters into political cam.
psign with "a loud threat of civil. wsr,is
one that has previously unde the sane
threat aud fulfilled il TO the letter. In
1860 the Democrats orators said that
"ihe South" could not be expected 10
submit TO the election OF Mr. Lincoln.
In 1856 Mr. Fillmore. absurdly called
Conservative, had said the same thing 10
view OF the election Of Mr.. Fremont. II
was not brayado merely. Whatever the
Northern portion OF the party may have
thought or intended, the Southern por
tiou was sincere and resolved, aud it Was
tha, portion which had entirely controlled
the party aud dictated its policy, because
IL was the positive element.
This history repeats itself Ia 1864
the positive element was the Coppethesd
majority represented by Mr.. Vslapdig.
ham. Mr. Vallandighsm made the DEM
ocraiic platform of that year, which was
merely proposition 10 succor the rebel.
liou aud secure its success. 10 any event
il was revolution, aud revolutiou In the
interest OF the slaveholding oligarchy.
The national conscience aud ssgscity.
however, were too strong; the Union aud
progressive free society were saved. In
1868 the same spectacle is presented. The
war il over, but the passion and purposes
OF ts chief iEstigalors reu ain. Defeat 10
the etfor, to destroy the Union has not
taught them love OF the Union. Profound
hostility TO the principles Of society which
have prevailed, and to an Interpretation
OF the, character Of the Government which
has triumpbed. does not sink into sc-
quescence without further struggle
Fooled ia the field, what chance IL there
in political intrigue? Oppressed with
debt. strained by long and severe exer,ion
OF every kind, vexed by the delay OF com
plete pacihcatiou, is not the country an
army fatigued after its victory, sleeping
upon the field, aud fatally exposed to one
daring, desperate ASSAULT. This was the
question with which the old, positive.
ruling element of the Democratic party
entered its Convention. Part Of the
Noi'hcih "ibSt "hiSu thas eiehehs Nv
spises, had suggested in advance scme &c.
Acknowledgement OF actual events. The war,
il said cautiously, may have been . mis-
take, but it must be honestly paid for.
Reconstruction may be unconstitutional,
bat is accomplished, and can be reversed
ouiy ia the way itself provides. The
party, justly or unjustly, has become such
L.. ii I..fs
may lie better to take candidate from
without it's lines Indeed, said this wing
of the party, with aD air OF vsior, on the
very day before the Convention met, IL
the Southern delegates take part In the
action OF the Convention, they must abide
by it.
Ii may be imagined with what disdsin
the Soulhern delegations read these words
in paper which their mere disrant ffowa
had forced to reuouuee its candidate.
They cane TO the Convention led by
Wade Hampton, relentless Soath Caro-
lima rebel, who declared, upon his way TO
take bis seat that the cause OF the rebel
iion was not yet lost Wade Hampton,
the rebel. aud Vallandigham, the Copper
head, combined, ruled the Convention.
Instead vi recognizing actual events, their
effort was to undo the result Of seven
years. The spirit OF the two men made
the platform. Vallandigham. put into il
reputation, which is national disgrsse,
aud Wade Hampton the reversal OF re-
construction. which is rebel revenge.
Then Seymour was made candidais ior
President, who had declared tina, the
success of tAs war would be the ruin Of
the Union, aud Frank Blair for Vice Pre-
sident, who had insisted that econstruc-
ton should be subverted by force, and
who said that he wished 10 be nominated
upon that declaration only. After eight
years, The spirit Of the old slsveholdsrs,
arrogant, inhuman, un American, barbaf.
Gus; which had been aboring to destroy
the Governments by foree. and only be-
cause it promised peacefully progressive
liberty, returned TO its familiar arena, =
Democratic National Convention, aud
Immediately resumed control Of its old
machine, the Democratic party, TO secure
It's ud purposs--exclasiss political pow
er. E.ftc.s.,f ttr .-.f a... 4. q. ..,|..-..
Could any misfortune be 80 dissstrous
to civilization as the restoration Of sueh