The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-12-20
The Opinion Of a Dem0c rat 1 IA
the Army.

the Army. i,
friend has kindly furnished us with the
following copy of letter received from n
member Co. B, I'd Iowa Infantry, by his
relatives i'm Lie Claire, where the writer is
well known as young man of intelligence
and probity and very ardent Democrat.
r. RrENzr, Miss, Nov. -, 1862.
You alluded to the Proclamation, and ask
my opinion on the subject. Well, as you
were once somewhat Of a politician and Of
the same school as myself, will compare
notes with you. I endorse the Proclama-
ton to the letter. Many oppose the prose-
cution of the war on such policy, such peo-
pie in my estimation. only expose their here
toforc wcak-kneed loyalty. Emancipation
is necessary resort on the part of the Gov
eminent to put down the rebellion, and no
honest, loyal man will be injured byit. Men
at the North, by their words, actions and
votes are condemning it.
Do you know what this means9 1t is the
cry of quarter for the rebels; they are at
tempting to stay the hand Of justice which
would fall upon none but those who deserve
1.-THE blow. What matters it to the people of
Iowa If the institution Of slavery does fall?-
Even if did regret its fall, there is one
thing would regret more; it would he to
see it f"stercd and perpetuated, after it has
voluntarily reared itself against the Govern.
ment. asn sorry to see so much hostility
to the administration manifested by the Dem
ocratic party. That party was once consld-
cred the embodiment of tho CVnstitu ton and
the Union. If it is the samo old Democrat
ic party, what falling off Is there What
set of hypocrites they have proven them
selves by basely deserving, in its adversely,
that which they so loudly proclaimed their
love tor during its prosperity. IT
did not vote at the last election, tho
was entitled to vote for The first time in my
life; our regiment gave a majority for the
Republican ticket, thou IN it always has been
and is yet Democratic regiment few
Democrats voted at all, and most of those
who did gave Republican votes. read as
many Democratic papers as ever, though not
with the same pride and interest, and know
too well the record of such men as Mahoney
and Thayer, and others of the Valandigham
stripe, whom we were asked to vote for.
If Iowa Democrats are truly loyal, why
do they permit such damnable demagognes
to lead and represent the party? Iowa Sol
diers may fight battle after battle, they may
eclipse all their former deeds of valor on the
field of fame, but what will it avail if they
elect men to represent them who will stand
up in the halls of Congress and basely be-
tray them I am as sound Democrat as
ever, and according to my creed the strong
er Democrat man is, the moro sound he
is on the Constitution anil the enforcement
of the laws, and will not belle my every
day acts AMI principles by supporting man
who is not thoroughly sound on all these
points. p
have written more ON this subject than
intended when began, and doubtless more
than your curiosity desired, but of late /
seldom me,ldle with politics, and this expla-
nation will do for all my friends who wish
to he acquainted with my political principles.
a, A. BARNS,
Co. Il, I'd Iowa Infantry.