The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-08-23
AID AND COMFORT TO THE ENEMY

The abolition press OF the North is engaged
IN the reasonable business of giving aid and
comfort to the enemy in two ways. First, by
endeavoring to pervert this war for the Consti-
tuition and Union into a crusade against slavery,
and thereby utterly destroying the remaining
Union sentiment in the Southern States Sec
ond, by wickedy and ma!ic;ously representing
the Democrats of the North as secret sympathi-
sers with rebellion, ready TO revolt against the
Government upon the first favorable opportuni-
ty, and thereby encouraging The Southern peo-
pie TO persevere in rebellion with the hope of
ultimately obtaining assistance from the North
ern Democracy.
No argument is nee essary to demonstrate that
the dissemination of such reasonable views
Throughout the Snuth @nnid ha fnlinWed hv dis
astrous consequences TO the cause of the Union,
and perhaps postpone indefinitely the prospect
of reconstruction. So anxious vas Congress
that the object Of the Government should be set
before the people in the proper light, that it
adopted with singular unanimIty the resolution
of Mr.. CriItenden, declaring that the war was
prosecuted for the sole purpose of maintaining
the Constitution and the Union--but ID the face
Of this official declaration such abolition organs
as that of the Secretary of War, published at
this place by an officer Of the Government, IN
slst that the war shall be prosecuted for a6oLt-
taon and reUenge, aud that the reconstruction of
the Union is no longer the Nations watch
word.
In reply 10 the oft-repeated charge that the
Northern Democracy sympathze with the ei-
forts OF rebels to destroy the Union, we ask the
question-Why should Democrat be a traitor?
The Democratic party has everything to lose
and nothing TO gain by the dissolution of the
Union. Admit the fact that the strength of
the Democratic party is in the Southern States,
and so much stronger the reason why Demo-
Gratis should desire and labor aud fight for the
maintenance of the Union. Those who seek to
athx the stigma OF treason 10 the Democratic
party because il has stood up for Southern rights
IN the Union, reason most illogIcally, when
they conclude that this party must necessarily
sympathIze with the Southern States in their
efforts to get out of the Union. Not only duty
10 The Government, 5ut the highest interests OF
the Democratic party, impels 1t to wish for and
to work for the preservation of the Union.
Thus taking purely selfish view OF the case,
it is evident that the Democracy as party have
an interest in the preservation OF the Union
beyond that of any other party organization.-
But the great mass Of Northern Democrats who
were ready to make every sacrifice for the
Union when the AboItionlsts talked of E'Ietting
it side," and when the Republicans exclaimed
" not an inch" of CONCESSION for the Union,
were governed by higher, nobler, more patriot
ic impulses, when they filled up the ranks OF
the army and rushed to the defence of the Gov
ernment. Hhey are now as ever loyal to the
Constitution and constitutional government,
and as determinedly hostile to abolitionism in
all It's phases as they were during the last cam
paign, when they predicted the bitter fruits of
sectional domination.
The Democratic party is loyal to the Consti-
tuition and the UnIon-and the only traitors at
the North are those who seek to destroy the
Constitution and to give such aid and comfort
to the enemy as to render the reconstruction of
the Union impossible. s. Union.