Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1868-11-18
.atertown Republican.
WEDNESDAY NOVI8- 1868
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RESULT

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RESULT
The national elections Of 90, "a and
oo were beyond question the most i'm
Portant IN the annals of our history OF
the twenty Presidential campaigns which
nave occurred since the organization of
tue Government. none have been with
out interest and in some party spirit ran
to the highest possible pitch But at the
most nothing more than some question
OF policy IN regard to Tariff, internal I'm.
proyements or the National Bank diyid.
ed parties, until the year 1860 when the
issue made was one which affected the
future character of orr country and rose
for the first time to the dignity Of true
national Importance. Napoleon once said
tn at Europe would yet be all French or
all Cossack," and the prediction. Of the
great warrior found a counterpart on this
side of the water in 1860 when the
march Of events had forced every
man to the conclusion that the Republic
was destiaed to be all slave or all free,
and tn at the decision of this all impor-
tant question Of our future rested upon
the result at the ballot box of that wear
W hat that decision WAS is we'll known,
| and also the fact that the Southern WING
Of the Democracy appealed from the Just
verdict of the ballot boz to. the arbitrament
of the sword
The election Of '64 was another crisis
In our history for at that time the PEG
pie were called upon to decide whether
the war for the preservation of the Union
should continue on should be pronounced
failure and abandoned. The unwaver-
ing determination of the people was
shown to be that the war should continue
and the Union be restored In less than
six months from the time that decision
was rendered, the last foe had laid down
his arms and the work of reconstruction
had already begun, and every patriot re-
joiced in the prospect of speedy return
of the blessings of peace to our stricken
country. Bat at this critical moment
Andy johnson, and we charge it upon
him without hesitation, and fully realizing
what we say, by his laundering stupidity,
obstinacy and wickedness, delayed, thwar,
ted and jeopardized the great work till
We saw in the contest of '6S an issue
scarcely less vital to- the future interests
of the nation than that of ga. The war
had left the South, humbled, repentant,
willing to accept any terms, and anxious
to atone for the past by better future
Andy johnson, however, and his asso-
cia|es, being disappointed in carrying out
his schemes, fostered the crushed spirit
of the Rebellion, inspired it with hope
and ministered to its growth until at last
it rose again rampant and insolentlg de-
handing rights and threatening rioleace.
But the verdict of the election con-
frmed the verdict of the war, rebuked
the spirit of secession, exalted patri-
otism and stamped Upon treason and all
its vile brood. BY it a future of discord,
confusion and anarchy has been averted.
A strong but benefcent administration
will, as if by the hand of magic,
bring order out of confusion, and cause
strength and beauty to spring up out Of
ruin. 1t will restore the last State to the
Union, repair the ravages of war, protect
ard encourage industry, repress laWless-
ness and violence, and secure the rights
of every person throughout the whole
land. ghe South shall thrive as the
North, and all sections of our great ma
ton being blessed by a common prospect
ty shall be united Ia fact as we'll as name
by unity of interests and common de-
votion to our one flag.