The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-02-01
The Position Of Parties.

thing of a mystery to those who have
no faith in it, because they do not know
its "policy." 1t is but short time
since, when the cool-headsd President
having his own policy in operation to
subdue the rebellion, saw proper to in
terfere with those expressions of senti-
ment in Secretary Cameroh's Report,
which did not reflect the feelings and
intentions of the Administration, as he
understood them. Immediately there
went up huge cry from the emanci-
patton party that the Administration
was deeply imbued with pro-slavery,
and that its policy would henceforth be
the ruin of our cause. All over the
country we would find expressions in
favor of arming the slaves. The AID
ministration said, "This is a war of ag-
gression upon the Constitution and Un-
ion; let us save the country" "Save
the country by freeing the slaves" said
the radicals. "Save the country first"
answered the Administration and the
President, remembering his words on
a former occasion-'Let Us have faith
that right makes might, and in that
faith let us, to the end, dare to do our
duty as we understand it," continued,
and still continues, to do his duty as he
understands 1t, despite the howlings of
fanatics, who, deeply imbued with the
one idea of abolitionism, before we are
sure of our own freedom, would have
him swerve from the benign principles
which he thus expressed and has thus
far honorably supported. 1t is no
new party witch thus opposes his prin-
ciples it is the old party, which has
incurred the blame, in part, of dividing
the whole nation.
The old Democratic party, incensed
in measure at the defeat which they
had sustained in the election of Mr.
Lincoln, and only too happy to find
some excuse for an opposition to the
Administration, and forgetting too soon
the dying words of their leader-"We
should never forget that man cannot
be true Democrat unless he is loyal
patriot" has divided into two parties,
the one becoming secessionists and the
other concessionists-the latter retain
ing degree of honor which, after the
day of compromise had passed, bright
ened until patriotism became a princi,
pie that put to shame all those who
sided with the South. Those of the
concessionists who did not follow the
example of Douglas are now secession
lists at heart, and would render aid and
service to the rebels if they dared.
Here is the downfall of the Democratic
party. 1t is worse divided than is the
American Union and, while the latter
may be restored to its original integri-
ty, the great party of the Union, in
Guiding the Administration, will swal-
low up all that are worthy of being "true
Democrats" while the other division
will share the fate of traitors when the
reckoning is made.
Nor is the Republican party, which
is comprised in the great party of the
Union, unmindful of the loyal words OF
the dead Douglas, or the interests OF
those who needed them. The loyal
Democrats are favored by the Admin
istration. One of them now stands al
the head of the War Department
honored by all men of loyal principles.
and his appointment is hailed with en-
thusiasm. He represents the only por-
ton of the old Democratic party tina,
is worth thought, and stands side by
side with Holt and Dix and Glass;
whose partizanism dissolved in the glow
of their patriotism.
i We wish we could continue the rec.
ord by stating that all has been harmo.
NOUS in the Republican party; but
clouds have at times arisen, and the
impatience of loyal people has pro-
duced its evil results. The affair Of
Bulls Run is a fair example of toe
sanguine and impatient mood, and
brought forth disaster. From this VIC
were recovering, when other cries
arose: "Remove this General !"-
"Why don't the army move ?"-"Cam
eron is all wrong r'-"Why doesn't
somebody do something's" Commo
dore Wilkes did do something. He
brought the country into imminent dan
ger of foreign war, and with the best
intentions. But the cool policy of the
Administration averted the evil. The
people have gained a renewed conf
dence in Messrs. Lincoln and Seward
They see the long-delayed 'forward
movement" at last making, and begin
to see that the rail-splitter's policy i.
host for the army thu neonle and tht