Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-09-04
THE PROSPECTS OF THE CAM
PAIGN.

PAIGN.
On every side we perceive the most crafty
ing tokens Conservative men everywhere
are declaring in favor of the Republican
candidates. The threats of men ike Hamp-
ton, Blair and Forrest are having their
natural effect. The country has had bitter
experience of civil connections, and desires
never to see another But the Democratic
platform and principles, and the rottenness
and well known recklessness of many lead
ing Democrats, threaten to reopen the ques-
tions which are now closed; to upset the
Governments that are noW established and
to carry discomfort into the community by
taking away privileges that have been once
granted All this tends to unsettle business
and to battle all calculations, and men
naturally ask, what is to be gained by sueha
policy? The community generally cares but
little who rules, provided that peace is
maintained and justice administered Petty
politicians may wrangle about Office, but
such quarrels have no interest to the mass
ofmen. Now, in the whole policy of recon
struction there is only one feature that can
be considered really Objectionable, aud that
is the enfranehisement of the blacks. Some
timid minds do prefer to endure the ills they
have, rather tLan hy to others that they
know not Of This is natural. Imagination
exercises a great influence over all of us.
From childhood up we conjure up ghosts and
speetres to iil US with terror, and then be-
lieye them to be realities. Nothing does us
50 much good as little experience, a little
familiarity with these creations of an excited
brain. We then find that they are nothing
but illusions after all, and have no power to
harm. Terrible, therefore, as manhood
suffrage once seemed, the people see that
the Democrats Of the South, the men who
ought TO know its evils best, are actually
enrolling the blacks in their organizations,
and proelaimiDg the right of all men to
participate in the Government which con-
trols their lives and property Such con-
duct naturally sets men to thinking, and re-
! fection soon gives reason the mastery over
Imagination. 1t is no wonder, therefore,
that impartial observers are declaring their
| preference for Grant. Such men are break
ing from the Democratic ranks by scores.
Scarcely week passes IN which there is not
an announcement Of new detection. Some
times these men belonged to the class known
as Conservatives; sometimes they have long
been kown as Democrats. Some have only a
/ local importance; others have a national
reputation. Some have not filed very high
stations others have even lately received
tokens of confidence and esteem. But the
! continuous stream of accessions to the Re
publican ranks indicates the triumph that
viii come in November. The masses. more
over, have thorough distrust of the Demo
cratic party At its door lies the crime Of
treason. The Democratic party fostered and
encouraged the spirit of Slavery until that
monster waxed in strength and power, and
yentured to strike at the life of the Govern
ment itself The fault Of the Demoeratic
party does not simply consist in the fact that
large portion made war against their
country, and the rest sympathized with the
attack 1t is deeper than that, and began
long years before the rebellion was dreamed
Of The great blunder of the Democratic
party consists in the encouragement it gave
Slavery itself That was bad policy, and
forever damns the memory Of the men who
inaugurated and carried it on. 1t stamps
them at once as deficient in the foresight
and wisdom that are necessary to constitute
statesmen. Treason, rebellion, war and
| desolation were the natural results of their
conduct, and the people judge them by their
fruits Ii is true that the recolIections OF
their base and dishonorable course during
the late war has filed the hearts of the
masses with an animosity that cannot and
ought not to be suppressed; but the thought
ful look farther back to the fatal policy that
iRaugurated the war and gave rise TO the
feelings and passions that led to such acts,
and censures tlis in language that is just
and merited. 1t is this that proves the
Democracy unfit for power. They are
wanting in that knowledge of human nature,
those large and comprehensive views, that
liberality Of mind and that generous en-
thusiasm for humanity that are essential to
a wise management of the national affairs
and the preservation of the nation from
misfortune. This is something that has been
learned in tremendous war; but lesson
thus taught is not speedily forgotten. This
is the reason why so little confidence is to be
placed 10 the elections when national affairs
are not really at stake The Republicans,
like all parties in power, will commit some
blunder and ALLEVIATE the confidence Of many.
These will then rush into the arms of the
Democracy, and the returns win look unfa-
vorable to the Republicans, But when the
time for national election comes around,
when each party has selected its candidates
and proclaimed its policy, the people have a
fair chance 10 compare the two rivals side
By side On one side is Freedom aud
Liberty on the other q lingering sympathy
with Slavery. on one side IS honesty, on the
other sneakiDg attempt at-repudiation; on
one side are heroic services in the national
cause, on the other leaning to an that was
disloyal and REASONABLE. In the spirit OF
Hamlet they cxelaim, Look on this picture
and then on chat Can patriotic and
generous men long hesitate? The hopes,
the pride, the honor and the dignity Of the
nation all point in one direction. The
election Of Grant settles forever the great
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