Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-04-04
We were taken to private task by on


say about Wendell Phillips in our issue of
last week. This friend told us we had
done wrong. Well. if we done wrong in
expressing sentiments Of disapproval Of
treason we '' can't see it," Treason we
say for we actually believe that any man
who says he is disunionist at heart is a
base and ignoble traitor, not entitled to
the respect of God, man. nor the devil
1t has been said that he did not say in
Cincinnati that he was a disunionist. How
this may be we are not able to say, but
this we do hnou that he has been a dismion-
tstJ for years. We have speeches in our
possession delivered by him which will
prove the truth Of our statement.
rs man Wendell Phillips has few su-
periors, but as politician he is as black
as the darkest shades of Egyptian dark
ness. He is one Of the most eloquent Or
ators the world can boast of, but that is
saying but little for him when we reflect
that he does not convert his highly cutiva-
ted oratorial powers into a proper USE
1t was be who proposed to have the bust
of that illustrious statesman Daniel Web
ster removed from the public gaze in Bos-
ton because no favored slavery which
shows his ultraism in the highest degree.
Daniel Webster had grave faults, but not
withstanding that he was a noble states
man and done as much for the country we
live in as any man of his day But we
are wandering from the subject we wish to
treat upon. 1F-@
4 Now friend pray tell US what we said
that was in the least out of the way. Here
isjust what we said exactly :-"If Wen
dell Phillips or any other man declares him.
self an enemy to the government in this
its hour of peril, he ought to be treated to
something worse than eggs. The author
tiles ought to arrest and place in confne-
ment all disloyal men, We don't believe
in mobs-they are played out but we
do believe in seeing such men treated in a
legal manner that will make them suffer
for the avowal of disunion sentiments.
What objection have you to this senti-
nent, sir? Is it not loyal, and just? Do
you not go in for crushing rebels to the
earth and grinding them in the dust by
the stern pressure of the heel of progress
sion and prosperity? We say, and we
think our friend will be with US on proper
reflection, that all rcbellious Subjects sho'd
receive the same treatment. and that treat
ment should be the law in such eases made
and provided carried out to the fullest ex-
tent. We do not say we want to see Mr..
Phillips punished for those sentiments be-
cause lie is Wendell Phillips, but because
of the bad principles be advocates. He is
not alone in the matter, either; there are
hundreds of the same school of political
faith who would willingly see our nation
immersed in bankruptcy and the people
thereof subjected to the direst poverty SIM
ply to rush things " and free the slaves
at all hazards. We are just as much of
an antl-slavery man to-day as Wendell
Phillips ever was. but we are not willing
to be classed among the abolition school
What we mean by this is that we are not
in favor of the unconditional abolition of
slavery. We 60 for the Union, with or
without slavery. If We can't have it with
out slavery lei US have it with slavery un-
til such time as we can best get rid of it,
1t Is not best to cut off ones nose for the
sake of marring the beauty of some ones
else face. We support the present admin
istration with all our might, its abolition
policy and all We believe this is the on
ly kind of abolition that will ever succeed
and until its utter ineiiciency has been
clearly proven shall battle for it with a
hearty good will. Those who wish to sup
port the fanatical dogmas of hot-heads
and traitors can go in on their nerve. .
but we shall not lend them helping hand.
The republican platform is long enough,
strong enough and broad enough for us to
stand upon, and when it falls while possess
ing the same timber it now does we are
willing to fall with it. and meet whatever
doom may await US as punishment for any
political errors we may have committed
We say down with traitors wherever thew
are found, and up with the administration
as long as it is sound and healthy
But enough for the present Suffice it to
say tina. we are no Wendell Phillips man ::
but straight out-and-out administration
republican, which we hope never to have
cause to be ashamed of.
Special Legislation.