Not even the election of Mr. Buchanan to a second Presidential term would lead them to abandon their purpose:  and he was their most useful tool in 1860, and without his assistance they could not have made one step in the road to rebellion, or ruin.  Their purpose is to found a new nation, as they have never hesitated to avow, with a frankness that is as commendable as the cause in which it is evinced is abominable.  They would be glad to see a Democrat chosen our next President, because they would expect from him an acknowledgment of their “independence”; but they would no more lay down their arms at his entreaty than they would at the command of a President of Republican opinions.  Their arms can be forced from their hands, but there exists no man who could, from any position, induce them to surrender, or come back into the Union on any terms.  They mean to abide the wager of battle, and are more likely to be moved from their purpose by the bold actions of General Grant than by the blandest words of the smoothest-tongued Democrat in America.  To any mere persuader, no matter what his place or his opinions, they would turn an ear as deaf as that of the adder,—­refusing to listen to the voice of the charmer, charm he never so wisely.

As there should be no change made in the political character of the Government, so there should be none in the men who compose it.  To place power in new hands, at a time like the present, would be as unwise as it would be to raise a new army for the purpose of fighting the numerous, well-trained, and zealous force which the Rebels have organized with the intention of making a desperate effort to reestablish their affairs.  There is no reason for supposing that a change would give us wiser or better men, and it is certain that they would be inexperienced men, should they all be as many Solomons or Solons.  As we are situated, it is men of experience that we require to administer the Government; and out of the present Administration it is impossible to find men of the kind of experience that is needed at this crisis of the nation’s career.  The errors into which we fell in the early days of the contest were the effect of want of experience; and it would be but to provide for their repetition, were we to call a new Administration into existence.  The people understand this, and hence the very general expression of opinion in favor of the reelection of President Lincoln, whose training through four most terrible years—­years such as no other President ever knew—­will have qualified him to carry on the Government during a second term to the satisfaction of all unselfish men.  Mr. Lincoln’s honesty is beyond question, and we need an honest man at the head of the nation now more than ever.  That the Rebels object to him is a recommendation in the eyes of loyal men.  The substitution of a new man would not dispose them to submission, and they would expect to profit from that inevitable change of policy which would follow from a change of men.  As to “the