The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-09-23
NO.. -.

being disturbed. But these things are
forgotten. The Sermon on the Mount
Is forgotten also. The beatitudes arG
put aside. A great writer OF the middle
ages, after dwelling on what is best fol
US, says: "Hence 1t is that not riches,
not pleasures, not honors, not length OF
life, not health, not strength, not come
illness was sung to the shepherds on high
but peace" The supporters Of re-elec-
tion will not harken to this song, and tho
proiTcred hand is rejected. If not war,
they would preserve ut least the passions
Of war, aud, instead OF peace, would
scatter distrust and defiance. The old
fable IS renewed:
Emboldened now on irs,h attempt he goes:
With Bprpont'a teeth the fertile burrows s0ws;
Tho glebe, iermnniing with enchanted Juice,
Mako the suakea teeth human crop produce.
For me there can be but one course on
this issue, and the moment it was pre-
sented | seemed to behold for the first
timo tho dawn OF that better era in our
country when the equal rights Of oil
should be placed under the safeguards
Of assured peace and reconciliation.
The Senator then deyotes much space
to his personal record, giving extructs
from his speeches, showing his leading
idea has ever been for ultimate peace
aud reconciliation with tho South. He
continues:
Here suspend this testimony. Such
is the simple aud harmonious record
showing how from the beginning 1 was
devoted to peaco, how constantly l loDged
for reconciliation. How with every meas.
ure Of equal rights this longing found
utterance, how 1t became All essential
part OF my life, llow I discarded all idea
OF vengeance or punis imcnt, how recon.
stuction was to my mind as transition
period, and how earnestly l looked fOr-
ward 10 the day when, after the recogni-
tiOu OF equal rights, the republic should
again be one in reality rs in name. II
there are any who ever mentioned u
policy OF hate, was never so minded ;
and now, in protesting against any such
policy, I only act in obedience to the IT.
resistible prOmptings OF my soul. In
embracing tue opportunity unexpectedly
presented ut this election, l keep myself
still in harmony with the past. unable
to vote second timo for President
Grant, and confident that the choice OF
Horace Greeley will tend to assure the
trixmph Of peace, which has occupied SO
much Of my desires, It only remains to
vote for him. l would not expect too
much, but knowing something OF the
spirit in which the Democratic party has
adopted him ns its candidate, and know
ing something also Of his eminent char.
actor, cannot doubt that with his cleo
ton there will 10 new order OF things
which tho harsh instrumentalities OF
power will yield to q sentiment Of good
will, and surviving irritations will be lost
in concord. The war is ended. There
must be an end also to belligerent pas
sions, and tue freedmen, assured in their
rights, must enter upon now career OF
happiness and prosperity. Such, ut least,
is the object l now seek. Even those
differing from me In faith at this critical
moment will not deny that such result
would mark IN epoch in American his
tory. And now, in the hope Of Its nc
complisllment l forget personal conse.
quences, and think only OF tho incstima'
Bic good.
Has not tile timc arrived when in sin.
cerity we should accept the olive branch !
Is II not time for tho pen 70 take the
place Of tho swOrdl Is 1t not time for
the Executive Mansion to be changed
from a barrack cesspOol to life giving
fountiinl Il 1t not time for President
who will show by example the Importance
Of reform, and teach the duty Of subor.
dinating personal objects to the public
service Is 1t not time for the head OF
tho National Government to represent the
idea OF peace and reconciliation rather
than Of battle and strifsl Is 1t not time
for that hew era when ancient enemies,
forgetting tho past, shall "Clasp hRnd" In
true unity with the principles Of the Dec
laratiOn Of Independence as the supreme
lawl Deploring tue fate Of Poland and
Of Ireland, seize the earliest moment to
escape from similar possibility here.
Mindful that the memories Of the past
can only yield to a happy present, some
thing would | do to promote that end.
Anxious for the equal rights Of all, and
knowing well that no text Of law or con-
stitutiOn Is adequate witliouta supporting
sentiment behind. cannot miss the op-
portunity afforded by the present election
Of obtaining this strength for our great
guarantees. Reconstruction Is now com.
plete. Every State Is represented In the
Senate, and every district Is represented
in the House Of Representatives. Every
Senator aud every Representative Is Ia
his place. There are no vacant seats In
either chamber, aud among the members
arc fellow citizens Of the African race,
and amnesty nearly universal has been
adopted. III this condition Of things
find new reason for change. The present
incumbent knows little Of our fern Of
government. By military education and
military genius le represents the idea oil
force. Nor Is lle any exception to the
rule Of his profession, which appreciates
only slightly o government that Ia moi
arbitrary. The time for the soldier ha.
passed, especially when his renewed
power would once more remind fellow
citizens Of their dsreat. Victory Ter
fellow citizens should bo known only 10
the rights 1t assures. Nor should 1t be
haunted in the face Of the vanquished. II
should not be Inscribed on regimenta
colors, or portrayed In pictures at the
national capital. But the present incum'
bent Is regimental color, with tile for
bilden inscription. He Is picture a
tue national capital recalling victories
over fellow citizens. 1t Is doubtful !
snnh n nrnsenne ran nrOmOte the recDncili