Year: 1865

THE times that tried mems souls" are now
at end, and the times which test mems capa-
city for swallowing new political dcgmaS are
about TO begin. 1t is not very certain that if a
politician goes to sleep in one camp that he will
not wake up in another, nor is there any GER
tainty which side any particular person is
likely to be found in six months from date. We
have seen in six months past a vast population
give up the traditions and institutions cherished
for two centuries, and accept abolitionism with
singular uuanimity. We have seen Horace
Greeley protest against the punishment of JEFF.
Davis, and write sympathetic letters to Mrs.
jeff Davis. In the same time we have seen An
drew johnson, the most determined enemy of Sc
cession, pardon secessionistS by thousands, and
thank gentlemen of that school for doing him
the "honor" to visit him and talk over matters
1t is even more singular to note the moderate
tone of such men AS Gen. Cox, of Ohio, and
Gen. Slocum, of New York, who have fought
the Union battles with such uncOnquerable zeal.
Yet, for all they appear to agree in sentiment,
one is Governor OF his State-elected by the
Unonsts, and the other is candidate for a
State Office on the Democratic ticket We here
reprint Gen. Slocum's reply to the offer to put
him on the New York Democratic ticket. 1t is
dated Vicksburg, August 3lst, 1865, and it is
addressed to John a. Greene, jr.-a bitter and
uncompromisng Democrat: II would state
that am in favor of the principles which appear
thus fnr to have governed President Johnson
with regard to the Southern States, that is to
allow those States to decide who shall and who
shall not be entitled to the right of suffrage.


s.In few words, | am in favor of returning,
sat the earliest practicable PERIOD to a govern
ment of civil law. believe the true interests
of the country demand a more economical ud-
ministration of affairs, and an effort to reduce
the national debt, the substitution Of civil for
military cpurts and a mOrp careful obsprVanrp
of the constitutional rights of States and indI-
viduals.


"If these views are such as will be endorsed
by your Convention, and if the Convention
shotld nominate me for Secretary of State,
shall accept the nomination"


He is in favor of the Presidents policy aud the
Democratic party, and yet the President has
shown no feeling of affinity for the Democracy
On the other hand, many of that party continue
violently to oppose Mr.. johnson, and the same
is true of a miserable small section of the Union
party.


The only reasonable conclusion is these
things mean that the really patriotic ele-
ment of the Democratic party is seeking afilia-
ton with the Unionists, and that those Demo-
crars are coming to Mr.. Johnson. There aIe
two factions representing the original disunOn
and secession elements of our country, which
are preparing to make war on the Administra-
ton, with view to keep off the settlement of
our national difficulties. The radical is in hopes
that his power may be perpetuated by continual
agitation and violence, and the secessiOnist
hopes that if the sections can be kept from form
ing that Union of common consent, which is the
only real Union, some contingency may arise in
which the war for secession might be renewed
In other words, if the South can be kept in a
state of discomfort, chronic resistance war by
a combination of foreign nations may give them
that forcible Intervention in our affairs which
was so eagerly sought during the late civil war.
Both of the factions in question are powerful
only from the daring and unscrupulous1ess of
their leaders-nOt from the possession Of num-
bers or means. But because it is easier to tear
down than to build up, these men may become
dangerous.