when the trouble started
November 4, 1862 was election day in New York State. Here a Democrat-oriented newspaper is firing up its readers for the final few days of the campaign.
From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1862:
Onward! Right Onward!
FELLOW CITIZENS OF SENECA COUNTY! The contest is upon us. – The tide of events under the sway of the party in power has conducted us to the most unhappy and perilous point in American history. The measures inaugurated by a Republican Administration and a Republican Congress are now oppressing the people as no people were ever before oppressed. The people are being plundered and robbed and imprisoned by the hirelings of a weak, imbecile and despotic Administration. Contractors and spoilsmen are fattening upon the very life of the nation, and the public treasury is plundered by the most reckless horde of politicians that ever disgraced the annals of civilization. The laboring poor are groaning under the enormous and unprecedented burdens imposed upon them for the actual necessaries of life; and the little property accumulated by a life of industry will soon melt away under the oppressive taxation now necessary to sustain the party in power.
How long are these things to continue? Until the people rise up and demand a change of rulers; and the time has now come for this auspicious event. Already the People of Pennsylvania and the Great West have spoken. The Administration has been rebuked for its corruption, its weakness and its imbecility. A change of policy is demanded or the Government must go down in bankruptcy and disaster.
“beaten paths which our fathers trod” – Andrew Jackson (really!) arriving at White House in 1829
The time has come for the people to arouse themselves to the true issues of the contest. Under Democratic rule we were a prosperous, united and happy people. In an evil hour the control of the Government passed into hostile hands. From that hour confusion, misrule and civil war have marked the progress of events. Let us return to the sound principles of Democracy and to the beaten paths which our fathers trod, and all will be well.
FELLOW DEMOCRATS! There is a work for us to perform, a constitution for us to protect and a country for us to save. Arouse then to the exigency of the hour! Come up bravely and fearlessly to the good work. The signs of the times indicate success on Tuesday next, and if we but do our whole duty a glorious victory awaits us. From this time until the setting of the sun on election day, we must struggle and labor. Every voter must be at the polls, and every vote polled for HORATIO SEYMOUR and the whole Democratic ticket. – LET NO MAN FALTER NOW! PATRIOTS OF SENECA! DEMOCRATS! remember that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty! Push on the victorious column! Onward! Right Onward!
“eternal vigilance is the price of liberty!”
