Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-10-24
THE ISSUES

Dy lar the SIdVesL pOltlcdI couttSI II
which the American people have ever been
involved. is rapidly-approaching final set
Element. For months the opposing parties
have been actively engaged in recruiting.
disciplining and marshaling their forces,
preparatory to the decisive struggle on the
Sd of November next. While the questions
at issue before the people have been present.
ed for their consideration in almost every
conceivable light, and ably and thoroughly
discussed during long and bitter canvass,
we wish to say a few words in relation to
them ere they are submitted to the arbitra-
ton of the ballot. When the rebels laid
down their arms, it was confidently hoped
and expected that by so doing they also
abandoned the doctrines and principles
which prompted rebellion; that they sub
mitted in good faith to the National author
ity, and would, thenceforth, lead the lives
of peaceful. quiet, orderly. law-abiding cit
liens. 1t is needless to add that in this ex-
pectation the loyal people have been griev-
iously disappointed. Encouraged by an
apostate Executive, and prompted by the
leaders of traitorous faction in the North
ern States, the rebels have assumed to die
tate the terms of settlement, and to stipulate
that the price of treason shall be their restor-
alton to the control of the nation. The au-
thors and leaders of the rebellion have de-
manded that the price of Democratic success
shall be the triumph of the cause for which
they fought, and the Democracy. by its
National Convention. has basely and shame
fully acceded to the demand. Frankly,
boldly, but whether wisely or not, remains
to be seen, the Democratic leaders have con-
Quoted the campaign in the interest of re-
newed rebellion. They have given to lead
ing. rebels the front rank and the command
of their organization, allowed them to con-
struct their platform and declare its purpose
and meaning. They go before the country
with the unchallenged declaration that the
success of the Democracy will be the tri-
umph of the lost cause, the disruption of the
Union and the disorganization of the States.
They ask the people to cover themselves
with ignominy and shame; to become a
by-word and reproach among the nations of
the earth; to tarnish the National escutch-
con with an inefaceable stain by refusing to
pay the debt incurred in the suppression of
the rebellion. They demand that the plight
IL e.. ~ 81 Ill l. I
the solemn guarantees of the Government
that its securities should not be subject to
taxation, shall be abjured. To sum up the
creed of the so-called Democracy, it in sub
stance declares that the war virtually deci-
ded nothing, and claims for its Southern
allies all that the rebels demanded previous
to the Inauguration of the rebellion. Stand
ing upon this monstrous platform, candidates
for the highest positions within the gift of
the people, are two men whose characters
and records are in good keeping with the
principles of which they are the representa-
tives. The one, an open sympathizer with
the rebellion. from its inception to its subju-
CATION. without even so much as splash
ing" of loyalty upon his garments the
other, once loyal, after having assisted in
suppressing rebellion, has had his thirst for
blood SO whettcd by the disappointment of
his schemes of selfish ambition. as to deliber-
ately declare his purpose to again plunge the
country into fratricidal strife. Such is the
,aniD,us of Democracy" and the character
of its candidates. Are the loyal people of
the whole country awake to these facts J
Are they prepared to engage in this contest
with the same unity and determination
which brought the country safely through
the conflict of armss What have they done,
and what are they doing, to defeat the machi-
nations of the enemy and ensure the triumph
of loyalty in the contests They have pledg-
ed themselves anew to the cause by the
adoption of platform, broad. comprehen-
sive and patriotic enough to embrace every
loyal man and loyal principle, and presented
candidates who, in themselves, are an ample
guarantee of fidelity to the Union they have
helped to save.
Reading the issues on trial by the light
of the Democratic platform and candidates,
and utterances of the Democratic orators
and press, they are precisely the same as
those staked upon the battle field; less
sharply defined, it is true, but not less vital
to the peace, perpetaity and prosperity Of
the Republic, and the liberty. security and
happiness of the people. Such are the issues
before the people. They choose for them
selves on the Sd of November next.