The Grand Haven news., 1862-03-12

then, from the central throne at Washing
ton, to govern the whole as Territorial de-
perdencies.
We at the North have had faith in the
loyalty aud Union-loving sentiments of
the conservative wing of the republican
party. How large section of that par
ty is thus abolitonized We know not.
That conservative men Of that party can
no longer fraternize or stand upon the
same platform with these disunion rad
icals, we readily believe. With such afiili-
alton and such creed, il will be impossi-
bic for them, even nominally, to pretend
to stard by President Lincoln, ms he
stands by the constitution and the Union.
We hold il settled, then, that the re-
publican party stands virtually rent in
twan-a house divided against itself, is
powerless to prevent its own fall, much
less TO furnish Union-saving platform
for the nation, and yet such platform
must be had, and majority party organ
lied and standing fairly aud equally there
on. or this nation Is lost.
There is n party organization in this
country, and has been from the time OF
Jefferson, its artifer mdrimus ever bat
tling for the constitution, the Union, and
the supremacy of the laws. The record
of that party forms prominent part of
the history of these United States, both
in peace and war. That record, thus
written, is known of all mon, and needs
no eulogy of mine.
The northern democracy stand as tho
embodiment of that party, and the true
exponent of its principles to-day. 1t has
been their duty, as minority in these
northern States. to silently act and pa
tiently suffer, thus far, during war they
not only did not originate, but most anx-
iouslv sought TO avert And yet, as a
body of men, represented at the ballot-box
by over million of votes, have they not
stood by the President, the constitution,
and the national flag from the start! AT
the first call of the President upon the
patriots of the land for instant aid, what
class of men rallied sooner, marched fast
er, or crowded nearer to the flagstaff, than
northern democrats? When half mill
ion of soldiers were wanted, and politi-
clans were turning over plans Of conscrip-
ton and drafting, what class Of our citi-
zens came bounding forward as volunteers,
until State quotas were overrun, with
greater alacrily, or in equal ratio with
northern democrats? And Of those who
from age, staten, infrmity, or pure ne
ccssity remained at home, what men have
been more active, more unceasing in their
efforts to fill up our regiments, or more
| liberal in contributions for the comfort and
supply of soldiers in camp, than northern
democrats These questions arc not thus
propounded for the purpose of making in
vidious comparisons, or TO establish ques-
tionab!e facts, but simply to demonstrate
that the record of the northern democracy
is as devoid of disloyalty, as it is unstain-
ed by disunion sentiments, or abolition
heresies.
l have purposely avoided entering the
lines of our army occupation, to trace, by
way of comparison, the plans Of our Gen
erals in the closet, or their conduct in the
field; much less among the junior officers
and soldiers, where all are heroes, would
| say the democrat is the better man;
but do say that in all the qualities Of
the soldier, brigade commander, or Major
General even, bring out your brdvest and
best, and | will instantly match him with
northern democrat, of similar grade, and
so fully his equal, in all military respects,
that you will involuntarily exclaim,
"Par mobile fratruna."
There is nothing miraculous in this
brilliant display of mistaken loyalty and
patriotic devotion to the Union by north
ern democrats. There is nothing 'Oonder.
tiA, even, in the massing of the democra-
cy upon the Crittenden resolution, or
their united support Of the President in n
constitutional prosecution of the war. 1t
was the spontaneous tribute Of mon to
their cherished principles. 1t was a sim
pie ou!breathing of deep-seated doctrines.
1t was an audible rehearsal Of their favor
ito Jeffersonan creed. Listen a moment:
"The support of the State govern
ments in all their rights, rs the most COM
petent administration for their domestic
concerns, and the surest bulwark against
anti-republican tendencies; the preserva-
ton of the general government in its
whole constitutional vigor rs the sheet
anchor of our peace at home and our safe
ty abroad; jealous care of election by
the people--a mild and safe corrective of
abuses, which are Topped by the sword of
revolution where peaceable remedies are
unprovided; acquiescence in the decisions
of the majority, the vital principle of free
republics; the supremacy of the civil over
the military authority, freedom Of relig
ion, freedom of tho press, and freedom Of
the person under the protection Of the
haJeas corpus"
Here it seems that all true men can
stand Here the President has mainly
stood, aud if in moments of excitement
and alarm, powers have been usurped or
rights invaded or denied, we doubt not he
will repudiate the act, as we most assured.