Daily national Democrat., 1861-08-22
The Union First.

the country. Well may all true u Union men
frar the worst when such men rule the land
So says tho San Francisco Herald in an ar
tic,e concerning Senator Wilson of Massachu-
setts. Is there no way in which we can op-
pose the candidates of the Republican party
and adhere to our own ideas Of public policy,
without laboring to destroy the public conf
dence in those who must be at the helm of
the Ship Of State Until 1865, unless our Gov
ernment be destroyed before that time ? As
we understand the position of the Union De-
mocracy, we are not battling for nor against
slavery, but simply for the integrity of the
nation If those who are interested in the
institution of slavery permit that inetitution
, to be used as a club in the hands of treason
to beat down our Government and reduce
the loyal masses, North and South, to serf
dom, then the club will be destroyed, as well
as those who WELD it; or else the club will
destroy all who stand 10 its way, and shabby,
genteel ruffianism will rule the land. For our
own part. we candidly confess that we feel n
much deeper interest in the Union of these
States than we do in the rowing Of cotton,
or the weaving Of it. If slavery can be pro-
tected in no other way than by tearing down
this grand Republic, we are either cowards
or traitors if we do not still say-G Cd pre-
serve the Republic We regard the Repub-
lican party as we would any other party en-
tertaining opinions at variance with our own.
We do not think its members are outlaws; il
we did, we would join in the revolution
against them. We are very sorry to see a
disposition manifested by some who profess
devotion 20 the Union, to charge the war it.
self upon those who hold the reins of Gov.
ernment. Can such course tend TO weaker
the rebellion and strengthen the Government
Let us dare to be just. What charmed pow
er has any local Institution or interest that i
should be able to make a citizen utter his de
votion to his country with bated breath
The Union is in danger now Let us lool
to that first and not run away from its sup
port, to subscribe to some new negro test
framed by rebel sympathizers. The Gov
| tI iaS u BCJLtT TlSuJ W tAlSJJ anu Ut
protected by the strong arms of the people
than has any rebel to protection for his goods
and chattes. We believe that Lincoln is the
President 10y virtue of a legal election, and
we are now contending against those who
seek to depose him by force of arms. In
choosing civil officers, we vote for Union
Democrats But we will not join in unjust
denunciations of an opposing party, which
is in power at Washington.
We think the rebellion has assumed pro-
portions SO formidable, that it becomes the
duty OF Union men TO abstain from all un
called for exhibitions of partisan rancor to-
wards the dominant party in the Govern
ment. True patriotism dictates that no pal =
ty quarrels within the ranks of the loyalists
should be carried SO far as to encourage tra-
tors. The Republican party is not responsi
6le for the present war. To say that it is is
to offer justification for rebellion. Nor is the
Administration "iucUmpetent," or "generalIy
execrated." To say that it is must pecessari-
| ly weaken the cause of the Union, in pro
portion to the influence Of those who expires;
such opinions. The Administration has not
since its Inauguration, advanced any measure
50 far as we know, which has not receive,
the general support Of both Democrats an,
Republicans. In fact there is nothing on hant
now, and has not been since April 18th, bu
the war which was commenced on that day
at Fort Sumter by southern rebels We car
oppose the Republican party, as such, with
out pleasing the rebels 10y declaring that the
election of Republican President, through
their agency, was cause for civil war.
We cannot be Union Democrats if in any
manner or TO the extent of one man, we
damage the Government cause, at such n
time as this, when, to use the language of our
State platform. the country is defending IL
self against a war without Justification, or
decent excuse; waged upon it by reasonable
combinations claiming to represent the peo-
| pie Of certain States claiming to have seeded
from the Union-which is manifestlv n war
for the invasion of our National Capital; for
the overthrow of onr National Government
the oppression of loyal States; the subjuga.
tion of the Union; war to humble in the
dust our National flag to wrench from the
American people their constitutional rights
of determining for themselves their own
policy. foreign and domestic, and to blot
them out from the class of the great powers
of the world"
| The FoRGETFUL CANnIDATE-Mr McCon-
| l. nal 81, I: