Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-05-29
LETTER FROM OCCASIONAL"
WAsHHGTos, May 12, 1869.

i WAsHrEGTos, May 12. 1869.
The last words Of Judge Douglas ut.
itsred in public were these:
,sThe Conspiracy to break up thi.
Upion il in fact not known to ALL
] Armies are being raised and war levied
10 accomplish il. There can be but
ftto sides to the controversy. Every
zzas musf Be- on The side of hs United
S>sfes ov eqdinst 1t There can be no
neutrals in this war. There can be
none but patriots and traitors.
"The conspirasors have been led 10
hope that in the Northern States Il
sooald Be made party question. prodEe-
ing eivi vor bsfiDesn Democrats and Re
puHieQns, and tie Sosth. being united.
could step in WitA their legions, and help
tie one to destroy the other, and then con-
qusr the victor"
These prophetic and glorious words
have been enshrined in the popular
heart. They have become the inspira-
ton Of the patriot-the text of the
Union orator-the creed Of the Union
soldier. President Lincoln acted upon
them in bis administrative policy. His
political friends have embodied them in
their generous invitation to loyal DEM
ocrats to unite with them for the COM
mon defence. The nominations made
BY these men have been generally rsti-
fed at the ballot-boxes New efforts
are put forth 10 all the adhering States
to give renewed vitality to this move
ment at the coming elections. It is in
the midst Of these efforts that the
democratic members of Congress"
appear with their ultra party pronun-
ciamento, the present purpose Of which
is to oppose the Administration, with
the direct object in view of bringing
back into power the worst elements Of
the Secession conspiracy.
1t is painful to read the extraordina-
ry manifesto, published under the aus
pices OF men. few of whom still
claim to be believers in the counsels of
Judge Douglas, and then TO read his
final warning words to his countrymen.
The refusal TO give the slightest sup.
port or sanction to the war, or to de-
nounce, even in modulated emphasis,
the rebellion. is irresistible proof Of
the ends sought for by the authors and
signers Of this Democratic" Address.
At no period OF human civilization do
We find a parallel to the present strug-
gle for free institutions on the American
continent. The principles at stake are
immutable and immortal. The only
structure Of Democratic government on
earth, and the last-tbe most precious
charter that ever God bestowed upon
man-will stand or fall as the war for
the American Union triumphs or fails.
Foreign nations are watching the pro-
gress OF this war with brealhless inter
est. II has almost wholly superseded
every other topic. Their Psrliaments,
their writer's, their men Of science, their
Kings, and their peoples, observe. de-
bate, and theorize upon it. The Eng
lish statesmen and pamphleteers can
find no text so fruitful as the American
War. The French Emperor discusses
il in private and in public. The Rus
sian Car sends over to our Govern
ment words of admiration and cheer
The Italian heroes regard its issue as
more decisive Of human freedom than
any event that has ever taken place in
the Old World. In the United States.
the war is the only question which vital
" and constantly concerns the people.
1t concerns them in every pulsation
and fiber OF society, business. kindred,
and home. Their nearest relative and
friends are in the army. There is
hardly family in the loyal states
that is not represented among the de-
tenders Of the Republic. Thousands
are in mourning for their sons. BROTH
ers, fathers, and friends. The subjects
ever presented with them are the war,
its duties, its sufferings. and its results
The pulpit rings with patriotic dis
courses on the war. The newspapers
are crowded with it. In every quar-
ter, in every neIghborhood. in every
social circle, it is the one single absorb
ing thought and theme.
Surrounded by such condition of
things at home, and sdmonished by the
exultations and anticipations Of our
foreign foes. and the hopes and prayers
Of our foreign friends, "the Democratic
members of Congress" refuse the cold
est syllable Of comfort to their bleeding
country They see her graphing with
the banded murderers Of Liberty, and
fold their arms in sneering Indifference.
They hear her blood-bought victories
over the fends Of Secession without q
.hrob of emotion. The Union dead
and wounded who have fallen in twenty
great conflicts, including Democrats
from all the loyal States, arouse no SEN
sibiIity 10 their callous bosoms. On the
other hand, the whole tone Of their ap-
peal is to encourage the assassins Of our
country in the rebel ranks. Their de-
li6erots eontenspt for the just and right
eous side Of this mighty controversy is,
IN fact, the most eloquent argument that
has yet been made IN favor Of treason.
What would have been the proper
Judgment against q party that refused
TO declare its patriotism in the Revolt
ton? The Democracy have always
claimed to be the war organization;
and in the second conflict with Eng
land. and the last with MEXICO. thev