Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-11-20
Use oREAT VICTORY.


80 HARRISON, OhIo, Nov. 10th, 1868.
EpIroR or INDIANA AMERloAS.- .s.s.
Dear Sir; One ofthe highest preroga.
tivcs enjoyed by American citizens Is tho
right psaceabIy TO assemble together for
the discussion Of questions Of PUBLIC 10
tercst, or to seek for the redress ofsgriev-
ances. During the past week, majority
Of the citizens Of the United States have
been exercising this high privilege; not,
indeed, discussing the questions Of The
day, for they have received a quie,as a. the
ballot-box; nor yet seeking to redress any
real or fancied grievance, for the true
patriot, just at this particular jupoture,
does not feel surcharged with grief But
they have met together all over the land,
with bonfres aud illuminations, with ban.
ners aud songs, with shouts OF Joy and tri-
amph. TO celebrate GREAT vIcT0RYl
A little more than fifty years ago, the
placid waters OF Lake Erie, on our north
ern frontier, were agi,ated by the couten-
ding strife Of two hostile fleets. The one
part Of the great navy Of that proud aud
arrogant nation, who claimed to be the
mistress of the seas, aud the other, a part
of the little navy of our then young aud
growing Republic. The contest was short
and decisive, and victory rested on. that
starry banner, whose folds have since foa,-
ed so proudly over the defenders Of the
Union, on the bloody battle-felds of the
ill-stsrred, but sunny South" On the
occasion alluded to, our gallant comman-
der in, announcing his victory to head
quarters, used these lacouic and historic
words; We have met the enemy, and they
are oursl" On the Bird day Of. Novembes,
1868, We, tho loyal people of the Union,
met the enemy, and they are owd
There are men living, advanced in years,
possibly Revolutionary soldiers who have
often joined in congratulations over the
political defeat of their adversaries; but
never, question, have they, or any Of US,
ever been called upon to rejoice over a
victory like thisl and why2 Because in
previous Presidential contests, the issues
presented were not Of such stupendous
moment--such startling importance, never
involving, as those of the recent contest
did. the welfare, the prosperity, tho per-
petuity, the vitality Of the Republic.
True, four years ago, the Democratic party
in Convention at Chicago, declared the
war failure, and rebellion a success. But
the loyal masses were not prepared to be-
lieve it, and the party, guilty Of SO in
famous declaration, given at such criti-
cal juncture, when the life Of the nation
was hanging, trembling in the balance
that party, say, received an emphatic
rebuke by the triumphant reelection Of
Abraham Lincoln. But In the recent
contest, the Republican party has had
arrayed against it, its old enemy of the
past, enforced by draft-sneaks and
skedaddlers north, and malignant and un-
repentant rebels south, and for it to have
triumphed over SO formidable an opposi-
ton, is indeed, to US, matter for the
liveiest congratulation.
But an other importance attaches to
this victory. 1t is q grand moral triumph
triumph Of right over wrong, of free
dom over oppression, of truth over error,
peace over carl When we read the record
of the past, we love to dwell upon the
glorious achievements Of our fathers, aud
the no less noble deeds Of daring Of our
comrades in the war of the rebellion. We
point with pride to Yorktown, New Or.
leans, Buena Vista, yicksburg and
TGettysburgh, and yet the lustre Of these
achievements illusIrious though they are,
dims before the brightness of the blood
less and peaceful victories Of the ballot
Had the result Of the recent election been
otherwise, had the Democracy succeeded
in electing their candidates, when we
contemp plate the signs of the times, and
read the experience of the past, it would
not have been difficult to predict the con-
sequences that would have followed. Con-
fusion would have run riot, law would have
been nullity, the incendiary schemes of
Frank Blair would have been carried in.
to effect, and the nation again plunged
into all the horrors of civil warl But
thank God, this sad picture will fail to be
reality. Order WILL reign, the laws ,oiH
be respected, aud peace again bless our re-
deemed Union. We are to have man
for our next President, whom the people
delight to honor, and who, in return, will
honor and respect the will of the peoplel
The defeated candidates of the Democracy
1.-The one, the hero Of a New York mob;
the other, a would be assassin-retire to
private life aud public disgrace.
Republicans all thanks. You he
roically stood by your country 10 the
dark ness Of the past, aud now have man
fully aver,ed- the peril of the present.
And now as your bonfires die out,s ADD
shouts of triumph subside, will you rest
satisfied with the work done? Will you
indulge the fond hope that the enemy
is SO demoralized and vanquished as to
be unable to again rally for another battle?