The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-05-01
The Duty Of Democrats.


We can cordially endorse the following
articles from the Chambersburg Valley
Srnit. We feel that as Democrats we had
no part nor lot in bringing on this war, and
that if our efforts 10 restore peace had been,
met by proper spirit on the other side, it
might have been avoided but the war is
here and must be fought through Let us
give generous and hearty support 10 all
measures 10 preserve our government and
restore peace to our distracted country and
and settle political differences afterwards.
This is the only course the true patriot can
pursue.
The DUrY OF DEMocRATs-In the present
aw fol condition of affairs in our beloved
country it becomes the duty of every man TO
assume that position best calculated to allay
excitement, and restore tranquility TO the
nation. at the earliest possible period
Every hour os civil war in the land is one
OF ruin and horror. Ii behooves every man
then, in these fearful times, 10 drop the
partisan nd become the patriot that spec
dy peace may be conquered. We need
hardly admonish members of the Demo-
cratic party TO give up for the time being
their party predictions and stand by the
government under which they live, and
which it is their bouHden duty TO support.
This loyal position the Democratic party
has ever maintained, and it will not now
prove recreant 10 all It's former devotion to
the country by abandoning it. In assuming
this attitude il requires no surrender OF Our
political principles, no acknowledgement
OF The rights of a sectional party In the
North 10 invade the Constitutional rights OF
the Soulh-it requires no sacrifice of this
sort it requires Us simply 10 do our duty by
our Government. Let Us not initiate the
bad example OF the Republican party, or
the material out of which that party is com.
posed, by arraying ourselves against the
government in lime of war. They were
opposed 10 the war of 1912, and denounced
the government all through the Mexican
war, with a bitterness that knew no bounds.
They voted against furnishing supplies to
our soldiers, and hoped that our gallant
soldiers might meet with 'hospiiable graves
There cannot be found Democrat to utter
as wicked wish as this-no not one
7 And yet this is the party that talk so fierce
ly of traitors TO the country in time of war.
For consistency sake they had better per-
nit their patriotism become full -hedged
before they attempt such loyal flights.
/ Let Us prove now, as the Democratic
party has ever done, that we are better
patriots than the Republicans Let US
stand up for the government in power and
not be found giving aid and comfort 10
the enemy in time of war Had this war
occurred under Democratic administra-
!, tion, as it might readily have done had it
not been for the wise policy pursued BIZ
/ Mr.. Buchanan, we would have expected
/! the Republicans 10 sustain the government.
! They can ask and expect nothing more and
! nothing less of u.s. If we are divided
/ among ourselves, and arrayed against the
government, it will only create bad blood
! in the community and have the effect Of
! proIonging The war and adding 10 all its
horrors. We want short war, now that it
has begun, and hope negotiations for peace
on basis satisfactory TO all sections, may
( be speedily commenced and definitely de-
cided, 1t we're better TO settle our difficult
ty by diplomacy than the bayonet at all
times and under all circumstances. This
course it was hoped the present admins
tration would adopt and not plunge the
country into civil war, the most horrible,
cruel and relentless of all wars. II has,
however, seen fit 10 accept the dreadful al
tentative of war-war against our own
counifymen. This every lover Of his conn
Try, and of humanity, will regret; but while
he may deplore it, at the same time impo
ses duty upon him, from which it would
| be traitorous to shrink-he must sustain the
gouernmsnf under iohieh he toes. II is the
motto of all true patriots-my country, may
II always be right, but light DR. wrong, my
country.
| Prayer.