The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1862-08-23

opinion: WsGFu ii arms agsiase ths as
loyal men of the South, ed asaSheFsUoW
oppose the war. believe that individu-
ais may be found in the North who sym
patfixe with the rebels and wish them
success. Bat u would Be aAsaFd u 6r-
ganiEe political party against posssns 90
few and insignificant, and who oldeFe esiIy
speak in whispers. The disioySi ynenssfI
the North, from whom danger Is 70 be sp-
pretended, are they who seek 20 convert
the var into q war for the emancipation
of the black race, bY means Of the over
throw Of the Constitution. .,, 49,, A..
Where are these men to be found -
Sumner is enc Of them; Wade another;
Thaddeus Stevens third. II there are
Democrats OT other citizens among them,
| think they will be found to fraternize
with the ReDubIicanS or rather TO be in q
rNNeACSUSAsSN5~NAA 1sA riUs pam VnGI
if We RAed . UOioO. psyty st the N4sth y
is in order to defeat the schemes Of these
men! But how can that be, If they are
invited to take part In the movement?
Tkeee s. nc .4s4snt1Apee hat~son this
movement and that which resulted in the
nomination Of the Union ticket in this
State last fall. There was then a show Of
opposition to the war at the North, but no
difference as to It's purpose. We all 1hen
were or professed to be, Constitutional
Union men. Now oil opposition to the
war has disappeared, but controversy
has arisen as to the object for which it
shall be prosecuted; to establish the Con-
et;tut;or or IN nvasthro,., e aud rad,oo
the South to the condition of conquered
province. Upon this question, the only
political question that really divides the
people of the North, true Union party
cannot be neutral or silent.
For twelve years past 1 have thought
that there. was q necessity for Constith.
.tiopal Union party. wiShed that such
party might be formed in 1850. Ihoped
for it again in 1850 think that loyal
Democrats, loyal Republicans, and all 9TH
er loyal men ought to unite and form such
o party now. The basis Of such an OF.
ganization (Which might be temporary,
leaving present parties to resume their
former relations when the Union shan be
restored) may be found 10 the resolutions
adopted by the committee of conservative
members Of Congress, Of which Critten-
den was chairman.
But look In vain for any such declara.
ton as the times demand in the address
and resolutions adopted by the (sO. called
Union members Of our State Legislature.
There is much there about slavery but
little or nothing about the Constitution.
There is no declaration against abolition
or general cOn6scation; no assurance "a
loyal Southern men that their rights shall
be respected; no recognition of any rights
remaining to the people Of the seeded
States; no condemnation Of that most ab'
surd form Of secessiOnism which converts
States into Territories, and erects a mill
tary dcspotism upon the ruins of the Con-
stitution. The play Of Hamlet with the
part of Hamlet left out, is not more ridic
ulOus than Union party that leaves out
the Constitution.
entertain the hope that the conscrva-
tive men of the North will in some way
unite and act in concert with the loyal
citizens Of Kentucky, Maryland, and all
other Southern States that are or may be-
come free from the usurped power Of JEFF
ferson Davis. trust that there will be
some movement for this purpose at Wash
ington before the adjournment of Con-
gress. But whether this shall be accom-.
piished or not. ! certainly can enter into
no combination with Republicans to over.
throw the Democrats of this State.
Whatever faults they may have commit
ted in the past, the Democrats of the
North are in the main loyal and patriotic;
they are the chief bulwark against the
assaults of the Northern disunionists; on
them rests in great degree the hope Of
the Union. They have not only magnan-
imously forborne from factious opposition
to the Government, but have even made
no slight sacrifices of partisan feeling in
its support They have sustained the
President when many Of bis professcd
partisans have assailed him; and, il as
continue to hope, and believe, he shall
prove true to himself and to his country,
he may, perhaps, find among them some
OF his best friends and firmest supporters.
have written somewhat at length, be-
cause, having no opportunity Of personal
consultation. il is only in this way that l
can present to you, and through you to
other friends in the city, the reasons OF
my course. My opinions and my feelings
upon this subject are both strong. lam,
and have been from the beginning, in IA
vor Of putting down the rebellion by force
Of arms. But l am for mercy, for human.
ity, for constitutional law and liberty: and
I abhor the fauatica! spirit that to liberate
the degraded Africans, would put the
whites in chains, and condemn to misery
and despair eight millions Of people of our
own race and blood. know, indeed, that
this atrocious scheme can never be accom-
plished; / know that the North would not
support war for this purpose; ] know
that the South would resist it, so long as
the white race should survive; know that
all Christendom would rise and forbid it.
The end, reached at last, would be the
dissolution of the Union, but after the
most frightful expenditure of money, and
sacrifice Of life.
am confident, my dear sir, that after
some experiment, perhaps, you will at las,
reach the conclusion at which ! have ar
rived. For myself, ! see no use in meet
ing with gentlemeu with whom am sure
beforehand to disagree. The whole basis
Of the proposed organization is wrong.
1t wants the vital principle of Union
party, fidelity to the Constitution. 1t i'm.
poses test that the Southern Union men
will not admit. 1t embraces men who
ought to be excluded, and excludes those
whose cooperation is essential 1t is but
the Republican. party without the Replb'
lican name; and fear its tendency may
be to strengthen the radical branch of thai
party, and to weaken that portion which
is best disposed to support the President
in Conservative and Constitutional poll
cy.
If am not mistaken, the Executive
Committee Of the Constitutional Union
party" Of 1860 still survives, and you and
myself are both members Of II. Indeed
| suppose that it is in that capacity youI
letter was addressed to me-"
Be so good rs to communicate my an
sWer to the other 1anflaman 0f fha ENVv,