The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-10-30

~cha.facter Of the Democratic candidate
for the Vice Presidency, have not
been more frequently presented by
the Republican press and speakers.
While no party deserves success
which goes before the people with the
watchword of men, not principles"
none, on the other hand, should
attain it which bases its hopes upon
principle, and altogether neglects the
character of the men it selects as its
standard bearer. In a country where
men of talent and of upright character
are ever at command, the watchword
Of the successful party should be prin-
ciples and men. And the Republican
party can claim that this idea has
guided its last choice.
The contrast between the candt-
dates which head the two tickets Is
marked enough. The private life OF
both is above reproach; but to-day
American life and thought and Amer
lean history is turning. upon the part
men played in the rebellion. Grant
did his utmost-and what that was
| the world knows-to put 1T down.
Sevmonr was its friend, and to the
extent of his ability gave 1t encour-
agemenI. II the udotOn LIDS uO1 IOA
gotten those who fought and those
who died to save 1t. that ono fact
should settle. the election. This fact
regarding Horatio Seymour should
cause the cheeks of every man who
supports him to blush scarlet, and the
question should strike home to every
such voter: Am / not compromising
with a man whose heart was filed
with treason while our flag was in the
field?
But what of the candidates for the
second place? The public life Of Mr..
Colfax is unspotted. For years now
he has occupied a position where the
eyes ofNthe nation have been of ne
cessity upon him during the discharge
of his official duties, and yet it will
trouble any one. even among his po-
litical opponents, to point out a seri-
GUS error which he has committed,
or a wrong which he has done to any.
The ability which, during the pecu-
liar troubles Of the past two years,
has caused the machinery of legisla-
ton to move smoothly is something of
a far higher order than that of the
mere parliamentarian.
There have been several who claim
ed to be leaders of the House. And
yet from the time when Speaker Col
fax, in response to a serenade here in
Washington, after MI. Lincoln's Sec
ond election, foreshadOwed the policy
of Congress, there has been no man
in the party who could PREJUDICE its
action with more certainty, and no
member of the House who had more
- 10 NTH chaninn he n0lIou
But strong as he is as a politician,
earnest as he has been, devoted to the
cause of right as he has been, skilled
ments Of national legislation, yet
these do not constitute his chief re-
commentator to the people of the
land for the Office to which they are
about to elevate him. His pure life,
spotless reputation, entire freedom
from all those combinations which
here take on a hundred forms, and
are known by the general term--the
lobby-his standing among his near
est friends as a Christian gentleman,
frank. manly and answering from
the course he deems that of duty, are
after all his chiefest honors and high
est recommendations. The best
classes of our society, those who re-
gard moral worth in rulers as a safe.
guard for the masses; may well re.
iOice that one combining so many OF
the excellencies and virtues of the
high-minded citizen is to be placed
second in the nation.
In the place of such q man what
manner of person does the Democ.
racy offer to the country? 1t is not
necessary for his enemies to charge
him with being a slave to degrading
habits. Since the day of his nomi
nation he has not ceased to displa,
his profanity and his intemperancl
from one end of the land to tn,
other.
It has not been necessary to say
that he has repudiated his good worl
as a soldier and declared for the
overthrow of all the Union arm:
wrung from traitors. He wrote al
this, and more, to his friend, Colonel
Broadhead, and published it far anC
wide.
Nor has the charge that he carried
murder in his heart originated will
his enemies. He proclaims from the
porch of his residence In St. Louis
In the hearing of three thousand PEG
pie, and, through the telegraph, il
the ears of the whole nation, that i
General Grant is elected, he will new.
err leave the White House alive.
And now, from his friends comes
1.-THE cry hat he is not fit to be longer
retained upon their ticket; or, at AM
rate, that defeat is certain If he insist.
upon remaining.
This is the character of the man
judged by his public conduct and
statements, and by the statements Of
his friends. who is opposed to Schuy.
Ter Colfax. Between the two the PEG
i pie seem strongly inclined to choose
wisely.
With one, in case of election, the
chances are that the Senate Chamber
would again resound with such q
maudlin speech as disgraced the Sen
ate and nation nearly four years ago
With the other, the inauguration
ceremonies would install a man tt
preside over its deliberations who
would bring to them parliamentary
skill of the highest order, and present
In his own person a moral werth which
would do honor to the nation.
Under Mr.. Colfax there will be a
smooth and steady working of the
Senatorial machine, which, after the
experience of another sort during 6
long term of years, is pleasant to con-
IN Qnfioipof;o-