The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-07-11
The Democratic National Convention


The Democratic National Convention.
The strong tension of excitement through
out the country during the past week, with
regard to the proceedings of the Democratic
National Convention in session in New York
City, though on an infinitely larger scale had
its origin in kindred causes to those which
gave such deep local interest to our county
convention on Thursday--an abiding convict
ion that the candidates nominated were des
tined to be elected The country for the last
four years. although the bloody civil war had
been brought to a close and peace again
smiled upon the land, instead of eniovinp the
justly expected Legitimate fruits of harmony,
good will and prosperity among its people.
was rushing even more rapidly than during
the war, to all human appearance, to desola-
ton and ruin Taxes, instead of being light
ened, were becoming steadily more burden
some and Oppressive; the national finances,
instead of becoming more simplified and
healthy, were becoming only more complicated
and embarrassed; the national currency. in
stead of improving in value, was only depre-
ciating, so that greenbacks are worth today
i'll gold 10 per cent. less than they were two
years ago; and instead of peace, and good
will and triendliness being restored among all
sections Of our country, the legislation of con
gress has been only such as to promote and
exacerbate animosities between the sections.
The popular mind, especially for the last
eighteen months, was rapidly Kidding itself of
the delnsion that the party which boosted to
have carried the country through the war,
could alone be trusted to restore it to peace
and prosperity. The pressure of taxation, the
growing discomfort in view of continued mil
itary domination, and more than all else. the
frightful peculation and corruption in all de-
partments of the public service-with its fear
full decentralization and extravaganza in ex-
penditure, had at length begotten in the
minds of the people a yearning, such as the
country perhaps never before felt, for thor
ough, radical and sweeping change in our
rulers. And this ycarning was so palpable
and wide spread as to have instinctvely i'm
pressed the conviction on the public mind
that the next election will witness its gratif-
cation.
| Hence all eyes have been turned to New
Yoik-hence the proceedings of that conven-
| ton have been watched with an intensity
which alone could be inspired by full and
perfect persuasion that on Its action hang the
hopes of the country. bungling job at New
lork-such blundcr as would have dissi-
pated the hopes of the country in the success
of the ticket there nominated, would have
been felt as calamity more terrible than the
overwhelming defeat of Grants army before
Richmond would have been esteemed in the
dark days Of the rebellion.
But, thank God the New York Convention
has given no rude shock to the cherished hopes
Of a yearning peoplc-has made no bunder,
but has performed its work in such a manly
and patriotic spirit, and given the nation such
a ticket, that thrill ofjoy runs through the
land from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the
lakes to the gulf.
They have presented standard as bearer of the
democracy and yearning and suffering
people, the name of HORATIO SEYMOUR,
Of New York, and as second on the ticket.
the name of that tried and gallant soldier,
FRANK P. BLAIR, Jr., Of Missouri. As q
statesman, Horatio Seymour stands without a
peer in the nation. During the war, as Gov.
erner OF the great state of New York. he
stood at once strong arm of the nation in
carrying on the contest against treason and
rebellion, and bulwark against military
license and abuse in crushing the liberties OF
the citizen. AS an honest public servant,