Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-10-21
The Time for Firmness.

AT no time III the history of this re-
markable campaign has there been such
an imperative necessity for frmness in
the Republican ranks as at present.
We have met the advance columns of
the solid South, arrayed in all their
pride of strength and pomp of preten-
sion, and we have routed and defeated
them On two well-fought battle-felds.
But we have "scotched the snake, not
killed it." After few suns have shown
upon it its wounds and bruises will
have greatly healed, and it will be again
as active and ambitious as it always has
been in the work of treason The South
is as solid to-day as it was Tuesday
morning. Its purposes are as treasona-
BILE as they were twenty years ago, and
as they always have been since that date
Its defeat in the two great October
fields will tend to augment its acfivi-
ty. stimulate its ingenuity and sharpen
its wits to degree that renders still a
dangerous factor in our politics. We
can gain nothing by Understanding the
power of our adversary. We must cred
it it with the possession of Roman firm
ness, undaunted courage, untiring per-
severance, fruitful ingenuity, thorough
unscrupulousness, as regards methods,
and that recklessness of results begotten
of desperation and defeat. The solid
South would rather rule in hell than
serve in heaven. Its traitOrous leaders
and their rebel followers have always
shown an answering determination to
administer this Government or to plant
their colors upon its ruins. They can
only be overcome and subdued by the
continued existence of compact, solid
North. From their October defeat they
will turn with new tact and increased
energy to the November contest Their
activity will be displayed all along the
line, though their strongest efforts will
be put forth in New York. But every
Ohioan has as great duty to perform
as if he were resident of New York
His continued exertions here are neces-
sary as an auxiliary to our friends in
other States. Enthusiasm is not shut out
| by boundary lines. 1t is contagious 1t
spreads from State to State. The fires
of patriotism can no more be confined or
compressed in their influence than the
stars can imprison the light that makes
their brightness. The zeal displayed by
the people of Ohio will animate their
brethren in New York to a degree that
will make success inevitable and over
whelming. And our victories in the
North must be overwhelming. The
Confederate Democratic Congress will
make every effort to count in its candi-
date by fraud. To prevent this the free
people of the North must issue their
mandate in thunder tones. The major
tiles must be so great that they will
teach the solid South that fraud or trea-
son, in whatever form it appears, will
be confronted by the superior wealth,
the greater numbers, the higher intelli-
gence and the equal courage of the solid
North. In this moment of victory let
us be firm and steady. Stand to your
posts. Indulge in no confidence, except
as it is based upon industrious and zeal
Gus efforts. Keep up all your ward,
township and precinct organizations.
Continue the canvass with vigor. Let
the air ring with your enthusiasm, and
let the Union understand that Ohio will
come to the front in November with
10000 majority for her great Union Gen
eral, her distinguished statesman and
honored son, James A. Garfeld.-Cleve-
land Leader.