Year: 1861

Douglas Democratic party has seen ut by
its State Central Committee to raise the
party name and organization in the can
vass about to commence. We regret it sim
cerely for many reasons. If the Republi-
can and Democratic parties go into the can
vass one against the other, defeat will sour
the temper of the one that goes to the wall
If the Republican party be unsuccessful!
they have still President and an Admin
istration to stand by and sustain, enough
to rouse in them the partisan fires that in
the present crisis of the country ought to
be extinguished. If the Douglas party be
defeated who can tell how many in its
ranks, now disposed to sustain the Govern
mcnt in its attempts to defend the Union,
will join the secessioEists, or be ready to
compromise with the enemies Of the coun-
try? When union is necessary defeat has
q bad tendency. 1t may be dsatrous We
would avoid the consequences by timely
action. We would have all patriots unite
upon a firm Union basis and present united
front to the common enemy. For the rea-
sons already given we regret exceedingly
that the Douglas State Central Committee
have chosen to raise the old party standard
in the canvass to come. in our opinion it
is bad omen and bodies no good.


Why adhere to the party organization
Is the question of slavery in Territories a
living ISSUE? What question is likely to
to arise on which men unconditionaly for
the Union may differ We see none There
are no differences between the Republican
and Douglas parties worth contending
about. We are going 20 make no strenu-
ous eSertions to carry out the Chicago
platform as the thing for paramount con-
sidera;ion. Tue safety of the Government
is the first and supreme object all patriots
should have in view in such trying
emergency as this. 1t does not become US
as men and Americans to Sickle for ab-
stractions when higher duties are TO be
performed.


But what are the Republicans to do
They are willing almost to a man to lay
down their party name and join with
the Union men of all parties in party
pledged to sustain the Government to the
last in its war against treason. They offer
fir and equal terms to all, and why? Be-
cause the necessities of the country demand
concert of action among Union men. The
Republicans, except for the great cause
of the country, do not fear defeat. We be-
leive they can make a direct Issue with all
parties in the State Id win the day. They
have something TO fight for besides the
offices which no other party has. They
have the Administration to rally them for
the conflict, and hundreds of men OF all
parties must see that the soul of the whole
opposition to the rebels is in the Admins
tration of President Lincoln. In that Ad-
miniStration all the hopes of Union men
are centered, and accordingly the States
men of the land without exception have
already declared their determination to
stand by the President in his fight against
the traitors. Douglas himself has mag
unanimously taken his position in support
of the constituted authorities. Why should
his followers in this State maintain pet
ty partisan fight when all party lines are
obliterated in the other States? There is
no sense or reason in it.


If they insist npon running purely par
ty ticket as has been done in times past,
we see no alternative for the Republicans
but to run Union ticket alone with the
aid of such men as are not to be blinded
by false issues or led in party shackles.
By making good nominations without refer
ence to past party associations an easy
victory may be secured. But we still hope
that the Douglas men of the State will yet
see the issue before the nation in its prop
er light and realize all the consequences
involved in running party ticket in the
present state of the country, and find it
best to unite with other true Union men
of the country in some harmonious course
Of action.