The Democratic press. (Eaton, Preble County, Ohio) 1860-1865, 1861-07-04
'sE B. STEPHENS, Chairman,
HENRY SHIDLER, Secretary.


To the Editor Of the Democratic Prese.
SIR-The programme Of mob violence,
and petit larceny misrepresentation, inau-
gurated, and in part enacted by, and under,
the countenance, if not counsel and pay, of
the Abolition wing of the Republican party
of this place, having, as I am informed, in
cluded ME as we'll as yourself in its scope,
induces me to ask a small corner of the
Press, through which to say a few words by
way of self exculpation; not, however, with
any expectation of appeasing their wrath, or
of gaining any respite, or even credit, from
their night-prowling lickspittles, but, simply
with the view of placing myself right before
the conservative and the thinking, prospect
i've of party proclivities, Ignoring then,
for the present, all questions as to respon-
sibility for the horrid condition of the coun-
try, 1 wish to say that it is a truth we'll known
to those of all political parties with whom !
have had daily and unreserved intercourse
that, from the first, l have steadily advocated
an active and vigorous prosecution of the
war on the part of the Federal Government,
to maintain the integrity of the Union, the
supremacy of the Constitution, and the en-
forcement of the laws. THIS l understand
to be precisely what Mr.. Lincoln wants. I'm
der hat belief, and that banner, thousands
of Democrats lave already enlisted, and, l
entertain no doubt, that thousands more
stand ready to turn out at the shortest rea-
sonable notice, to aid him in securing these
desirable objects.
But these Abolition gentry tell us that
the Presidents proclamation to the contra
ry Notwithstanding - the true end and aim
of the war is, simply and alone, on the
one hand, the destruction, and on the other
the maintenance of Slavery; and to insure
the enforcement of this view at as small an
expense or risk to themselves as practicable,
they instruct their irresponsible and un-
thinking lickspittles that all who do not be-
lieve as they do, are traitors, and secession
lists at heart, and ought to be subjected to
the pain and penalty Of Lynch law. The
sin of myself then, and of the Democrats of
Preble county, SO far as / have the means of
knowing, is that, disregarding the terrors Of
even that s~anguinary code, we have chosen
to consider the doctrine enunciated by the
President and his commanding General up.
on that subject, about right. Entertaining
these views honestly, as I do, I may perhaps
as well add that, while l am in fBvor of thus
prosecuting the war for the attainment of
the object specified, if it shall hereafter ap-
pear l have misconceived its purposes, and
that, as claimed by the Abolitionists, it has
really been wased for, or if it shall degener-
ate into, a mere miserable, thieving and cut
throat scramble, over the Institution Of"Nig-
gerdom," being law-abidinS and conserva-
inclined, I shall at once, and with the
best attainable grace, yield to the special
of that ubiquitous concern, North
and South, the entire pleasure, and the hon
or too, if there be any in it, of fighting the
whole thing out, and of butchering each 9th
er, even to a second edition, if they choose,
Of the ever to be remembered Kilkenny cats
performance.
J. B. STEPHENS.