The Northern Presidential campaign — the War.
The Presidential campaign in the Federal Union promises at present no clear indication of the defeat of
Lincoln and his beastly Administration.
The ultra Abolitionists and Fanatics, with their auxiliaries — the political buzzards who flock to parties for the garbage they may be able to pick up — have fully organized and shut the door against any arrangement by which they might have co-operated with any other party opposed to the present Administration.
They have determined their principle and put them forth, and these are so ultra and fanatical that no other opposition party in the
Federal States can concur in them.
Among a great many other things, they declare for the crushing of the rebellion by the destruction of its "motive cause" and "principal support, slavery;" for the "absolute equality of all men," "without distinction of color;" for "adequate protection for all the loyal and adequate penalties for traitors;" for "no amnesty to traitors short of absolute and unconditional submission; no restoration of civil privileges as an inducement to rebels to foreswear themselves," and, as a final and sweeping disposal of us and our effects, they declare "that the confiscation of the lands of the rebels, and their distribution among the soldiers (negroes and whites) and actual settlers, is a measure of justice." Of course, no other opposition party, and certainly no peace party can co-operate with these
Fremont fanatics.
They are much worse than
Lincoln.
In their platform they raise issues with the party in power about the writ of
habeas corpus, free speech, free prise, integrity and economy in the administration of the
Government, etc.; but had they the power, we should see that they would respect as little individual and State rights as
Lincoln; and judging from
Fremont's wasteful and corrupt expenditures in the Missouri department, when under him, we should likely find his Administration at
Washington quite equal to the present one in every species of fraud and extravagance.
Touching the war and us poor rebels, these fanatics and blackguards are clearly of opinion that
Lincoln does not conduct the invasion with sufficient energy, and that he does not pursue us with half the severity and loudly and vehemently that the measures of the
Washington Government towards us are too lenient, too soothing and coaxing; that we should be bowed down by unconditional submission, and should relinquish all our property to boot to be handed over to the soldiers of the
Federal army !
This frantic organization of the fanatics, disappointed politicians, the vultures and jackals hovering around for offal, has made all its nominations, and is fairly in the field, canvassing with might and main.
The Peace party, which has not yet made its nomination, cannot coalesce with this monstrous organism; and the prospect is that there will be two parties running against
Lincoln.
This will so far express the hope of the triumph of either that neither will, in the race, have the advantage of the support of that large body of tide-waiters who cast their votes on the winning side.
The opposition thus divided, this class would more than likely go over to
Lincoln, satisfied that the joker could more easily defeat
two than one competitor in the political field.
That there is enough in the attitude of the
Federal Government — its immense debt — its futile warits outrages on the rights of individuals and communities — its corruptions and its extravagances — to defeat it before the people, seems to be clear; and opposed by one strong party, its defeat would be more than probable; but that opposition divided can hardly do more than throw the election of
President into the House of Representatives, where the sequel would be altogether problematical.
Under this view, the idea of the defeat of
Lincoln is at least doubtful.
The South would prefer his continuance in office to the success of
Fremont.
He is a man of more force and sagacity than
Fremont; but his schemes and measures are well understood, and his policy envelopes him like a cocoon.
There is no new force to be employed by him. He is exhausted.
A new man might inspire the
Northern hordes with a new notion, and might make a new flout and a new spasm in the dying out of the crusade against the
South.
In the hand of
Providence, it may be that
Lincoln is to be continued the rod and the terror over the complaining and discontented North, in order to leave no hope for relief but in that direct resistance which alone can check that Puritan tyranny centralized at
Washington.
Furthermore, it may be intended by the continuation of this Pharaoh in power, to drive the burdened and impatient Northwest into that withdrawal from all association with the
Northeast which is her only refuge from oppression.
She is the fat ass bearing the burdens of the
New England manufacturers — she succeeds the
South as the payer of fishing bounties and protective tariffs, to pour wealth into the pockets of the lords of the loom and the codfish aristocracy of
New England.
As God hardened Pharaoh's heart, in order that the Israelites might not relapse into apathy and contentment, so
Lincoln's government is possibly to be continued in all its odiousness and oppression to drive the
Northern States and people to the only measures for the preservation of their independence and liberties.
The South is taking care of herself as she is able to do. It is for the
North to take care of herself as she is able to do. It is for the
North to take care of herself.
It is especially for the
Northwest to look to her future; and whatever the result of the Presidential election in the Federal Union, she will never find rest until, in the language of one of her own citizens, she "follows the bright sparkling waters of the
Ohio down to the '
Father of Waters'--down to the Ocean of Peace"--until she carries out the design of which a Puritan Congressman from
Maine accuses her, viz.: to "establish a Western Confederacy."
Lincoln or no
Lincoln, there is a plenty of discord and turmoil at the
North to engender strife and division irreconcilable; and whatever the result of the political canvass going on, we shall see their fruits in due season.
In the meantime, as we always conclude on these subjects, the brave Southern armies must essentially aid in solving the problem of Northern polities.
