The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-30
A MODERN DEMOCRAT UNMASKED
Mr.. MORGAN AND COL. PRENTIss.
FOR THE MApsosAs.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
June odd 1910

HOUSE, or REPRESENTATIVES,, !
| June 3d. 1910.
/ GENrLEMEN: In some remarks which sub
mltted TO the House ON the 26th March allud-
ca TO my colleague (John III. Prentiss) in these
words: M
thought, too, sir, Of another gentleman,
belonging to the same party with the member
from Maine, who very modestly retired from his
seat when he heard the Fedcralists arraigned.
! mean my honorable colleague from Otsego,
| (Mr. Prenllss,) who during the late war edited
Federal paper in Otsego, and in common with
his political associates, rejoiced at every defeat
OF the American arms, and believed il unbe-
coming moral and religious people TO rejoice
over victories If had file OF his paper here,
could furnish proof, page upon page, in support
OF his Federal attachments"
subsequently, Mr.. Prentiss made the follow
ing reply, as reported in the Globe:
II was true, Mr.. p said, he was a Federal.
ISL al the period referred to, the last war, and
| that he edited paper which sustained federal
doctrines. The reason was that he was born
| and bred in Massachusetts,, the hot-bed of fede-
ralism, and that il took time and reflection 10
eradicate early impressions. He did oppose the
declaration OF war, as having been made prema-
turely, and without adequate preparation for
contest with such powerful nation as England,
but he utterly denied that he erer opposed the
icdr after the contest began So much in re-
gard to the imputation Of being federalist and
opposed to thewar. Now in regard to the aega-
ton OF having "rejoiced at the victories Of the
enemy over the American arms" During the
canvass for a seat on this floor, in the year 1886,
the Wing paper in his (Mr. P.'s) district, did
make charge Of the same character as that re-
iterated by his colleague, and il was promptly
refuted by the signatures of fourteen of the
most respectable citizens Of the place where he
(Mr. P.) resides.
"The charge is IN all respects untrue,n &c.
On the 25th April, Mr.. Dillett, Of Alabama,
gave way for the following explanation which
| then made:
"Mr. Chairman: In the course Of few re.
marks made by myself the other day, | alluded
10 my colleague from Otsego, (Mr. Prentiss. as
having been member Of the federal party and
opposed TO the last war, although now protesting
to be democrat. MY alluson TO that gentle
man was not made with any feeling Of unkind-
ness towards him personally, for ! entertain
none; but for the purpose Of unmasking these
pretenders TO democracy, and to show to the
country that those who are now most clamorous
in their professions of democracy, were former
y most violent in their denunciations Of the
democratic party"
In the report Of my colleagues remarks, he ad-
mits that he edited a federal paper, which
| sustained. federal doctrines, but he denies that
she ever opposed the war after il began"
II will be borne in mind that war was declared
the 18th June, 1872 and hostilities ceased in
December, 1914.
To establish the truth of the remarks which
made, have before me extracts from the Coop
erstown Federalist, edited by my colleague,
which propose to read.
Mr.. Hand here rose and suggested that his
colleague Mr Prentiss was not in bis seat ma
king this explanation, because my colleague
was not in his seat | gave him notice last
evening to be here. He was in the House this
morning, but has now lodged, and, as am not
likely to catch him here will furnish my col
league with the extracts which | am about 10
read"
1.-THE following is dated the 18th December,
lS12--six months after war was declared and
hostilites had commenced"
sour rulers at Washington had gone too far
to recede with honor. They must, therefore,
having dismantled our navy, haring destroyed
our army, and having exhausted our Treasury,
as THEIR LAST DESPERATE ACT, plunge us into
the CALANfITTES Of War. Our fleets and
our armies, our emissaries and our savages, are
sent forth conquering and to conquer" At
tempts having been made by proclamation, those
mighty engines of Executive power, TO seditce
the Canadians from their allegiance, without
success a hostile force must needs be sent TO
SUBJECT THEM TO OUR ARMS. Our MILITIA
MUST BE DRAGGED FROM THEIR
FAMILIES AND THEIR HOMES TO BE
SACRIFICED AT THE SHRINE OF
u -DEMOCRATIC-&R CONSISTENCY.
at further remains for our Democratic legs-
lators TO form an alliance with France, IN order
10 perfect the CLIMAX OF POLITICAL
URDI7'Y, to crush The restiges Of Liberty
in Europe, and to proclaim to an astonished
world that Republic CAN SMILE AND SMILE
AND MURDER WHILE IT sMILEsr
In the Cooperstown Federaist of April Odd,
| 1914, undera Peace Ticket are the following
extracts, in editorial appeal to the electors Of
Otsego.
"Will YOU give your sanction to a war which
was begun in FOLLY, and has been continued
in crime9 Will you consent that the resources
Of your State shall be squandered in HOPE
LESS CONTEST, and yield up your young
men TO dye the SHOWS Of Canada with their
blood p LTThen rote for the Var Ticket,
and your wishes shall be gratifed."
Again, in the same article
evil you lowly bend the suppliant knee to
an administration that is in every practical sense
your Enemy whose prohigate profusion is in
vovng you and your posterity in a redeemless
debt of countless millions who have already
DISGRACED, and are rapidly proceeding to
RUIN your country ~ Then rote for the
| Var Ticket
Unite your whole force in firm indivisible
phalanx, and by the exercise If your constitu
tional privileges, express your ABHOR RENEE
OF THE WAR in which our country is en-
gagged &c.
On the 23d April, 1914, eight months before
the war terminated, my colleague made use Of
the following language:
"Can the present American war be called q
war for liberty Does liberty require that we
should take Canada Does liberty demand
that we should fight on the side of the French