Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1859-12-17
UUniOn Savers"


This is the favorite term Of derision
employed by certain newspapers which
tor years past have been propagsting
reasonable sentiments disguised by in
gcnious sophistry, throughout the land,
and Matching a brood OF eccentric phil
osophers possessed of one idea and that
a wrong one. These journals have be-
come fully pursuaded that the salvation
Of the country is confided peculiarly to
their care, and that they have received
some special commission-either from
on high or by virtue of natures inspira-
tion,-to confer liberty upon the OPP
pressed in these United States. They
have persevered in malignant denuncia-
ton Of all differing from themselves in
opinion, infaming large communities
with senseless animosities, till nothing
short OF actual warfare would give salts
factory expression to their insane zeal.
These same organs of Abolitlonism have
as diligently labored to bring contempt
on the decisions Of the supreme court
and the enactments of congress-some
Of them, with the avowed object of
breaking up the whole federal system,
in hope of . reconstruction such as they
feel fully competent to arrange. Well,
matters have at length advanced so far
that blood has actually been shed, and
the whole country is stirred up from its
foundations. Men of all parties manifest
fear that an alienation will grow up be-
tween sister states, for which there can
be no efectual reconciliation. Yet the
editors to whom we have referred, affect
to look on with perfect composure. They
can witness the raging of the flames
kindlcd by themselves, and continue the
siren song which lulls into false security
like the willy insect that buzzes around
its prey and sings while it stings. They
tell you John Browns invasion was
nothing, ridiculc the fears which it &C.
casioned, seek to divest the horrible
transaction Of its significance, insist that
tho act was instigated by maniac, and
at the same time pronounce him a
''hero," and apologize for his crime
But the hypocrisy of all this was uncon-
sciously betrayed by their own partzans
Every bell that was tolled in .onor Of
John Brown, every gun that was fired.
aud every public demonstration made on
that cventful day OF the execution, pro-
claimed that he was a representative
man-thn exponent of a principle, that
THIS principle was in violent antagonism
with the government of the United
States-and therefore, that the abcttors
of this high-handed act of treasoa must
be called upon for disavowal of their
completely, or be compelled to take up
on themselves the responsibility Of its
consequences. 1t is at this juncture that
the country has arrivcd-this critical
period when the sympathizcrs with John
Brown must repudiate their principles
on the floor of congress, or boldly throw
off disguise aud declare themselves Rev
olutionists Of the school of Robespierre.
No wonder, then, that demonstrations of
"abhorrence" are extremely distasteful
in some quarters, for there is danger of
apopular reaction of great political sig
nificance. Witness the wild contortions
of the Zribune,-how it Eliminates col
umns of abuse, gross in personalities,
against citizens Of irreproachablc char
acter, and statesmen distinguished for
their wisdom, purity and PATRIOTISM
The time has come, and they know it,
when Abolition leaders must either beat
back tho rising waves of an outraged
public sentiment, or be swept away
The great political dogma, so plausible
i'll its pretenses, under which many have
rallied for ''freedom," has proved to be
an abstraction-a miserable sham and
delusion-impracticable for the realiza
ton Of its objects, and wanting in every
thing except power to produce incaIcula-
bic mischief.
There was reason to apprehend serious
consequences from the John Brown in
vaslon; but we have hope that it may
be overruled by benign Providence for
the good of the nation. The old sore
has been healing up and is now broken.
and the virus which ranked in the poIit-
cal system has opportunity to discharge.
The probe can be used now more hope.
fully than if there had been longer de-
lay. The case, however, demands the
exercise of consummate wisdom on the
part of the north, and at the south there
is need of special forbearance. The lat
ter, If wise, will refrain from retaliation
and reprisals, or any proceedings which
will seem to justify the hostility of Alb
olitlonists or tend to embarrass the
friends of the Union in their present en-
deavors; for ere long, the voice of the
north will reverberate from the granite
hills of New Hampshire and the prairies
of the west, to the keystone of the fed
eral arch, convincing the most doubtful
that the free states are still true to the
Constitution, and that their silence here
tofore cannot rightfully be construed as
appreciation Of great public wrongs. III
the position Of the north appears equiv
ocal to the southern mind, it cannot re-
main SO much longer. Moreover, the
position taken by patriotic men, the no.
blest of whom America can boast. will
have prodigious effect in bringing back
recresnt individuals to their fealty.-I