Litchfield enquirer., 1862-04-03

l FoR THE ENQUIRER. THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD ys. PA l.aes as t. TRlOTISM. MR. EDrroR :---It may be foolish undertak- ing, a foolish waste of time, as well as great imposition upon the intelligence and sagacity of your readers, for one to attempt to offer few considerations, upon the recent political course of T. M. Clarke, Esq, and the few small fsh which float in his wake, regarding the giving up of the republican organization yet we hope that the few suggestions which we shall here offer, may not be received, even by him. in an ungra- cious or indecorous spirit, as we offer them in all sincerity and good faith.
 It seems to us that Saint Thomas" is labor ing under erroneous impressions, if not we are, because, possessing as much knowledge upon the subject as he does or can, we are unable to see that any such disaster lies before us, as he predicts. Thomas may possess more fertile imagination than we have, and may therefore think that he sees danger ahead to the republi- can organization, but to our weaker faculties, we see it not. And though we did,-what then 2 At the outset, it were well, to look at the condi ton of our country, at the dangers and perils which surround it. It were well to look at the means the instrumentalities used, aud the sources from which our present troubles have sprung Above all, it were well, it wereawise to look at the way, manner, and means to be used to extri- cate ourselves from our present diificnlties.- The preservation of our government, our consti- tuition, and our institutions, command our first, highest duty and attention and if the sacrifice of political organizations, of political parties is flal l... 1x.k them perish, because political organizations, and political parties, are but the growth of an hour, as compared to the organization and establish
 ment of government like ours. The question whether the republican party shall abandon it's organization. or the democratic party shall abandon it's organization, is question depending upon the fact how far such abandon
 ment may be necessary to the preservation of our country The preservation of political or
 ganzations, or political parties is matter, se- condary to the preservation of our government, and is not entitled to so much as passing con. sideration, by the side of one great. allabsorbng question, whether or not we shall have govern ment; and constitution ever throwing around us the benign influence of their protecting pow. CT. What we now want are manifestations of Union sentiment of strong patriotic love and devotion to the Union. a cooperation of all po- litical elements, working together as one har- monious whole, aud where this spirit truly ani, mates our actions we shall not be haunted with the fear that the party is abandoning its organ ization. That the republican party is Union party, in thought, word and deed, none can dis. pute. On the other hand, it is fact, as indis- putable, that portion of tile democratic party of the State, land we write with shame) do not entertain those strong and reverent feelings for the Union and the Constitution that the repub- lcans do, while at the same time the other DOT tion of the democratic party, are with the repub.
 cans in all necessary measures to crush out the rebellion, and restore the Union to it's original condition of peace and security. This portion of the democratic party are as sincere, are as firm, are as patriotic, and active are as strongly attached to the Union and the Constitution as are the republicans. And what is Thomas go- ing to do with this portion of that party? They cannot go with, they cannot unite with that DOT tion represented by the late democratic conven- tion, nor can they act with it. ..|
 There is broad gulf of political difference with them. There is no sympathy of feeling no unity of action between them. The one repre- sents the Union and the Constitution as para mount as living, acting reality with power inherent capable of redressing all national ills-
 The other represents party as paramount, and would see the Union split, the constitution shorn of its power ere party organization should be abandoned The Union loving, patriotic portion of the democratic party, feel this, see this know this, and they know that this difference polti- cal feeling, and sentiment, does and must in the future, prevent the two sections from co-operat- ing together. And ask again, what is to be done with this Union element in the democratic party? Where would Thomas have them go G--
 With whom cooperate? Would he drive them into separate organization What good could such an organization do. as separate organiza- tion? Is the Union sentiment of the State so strong, that we can ruthessly thrust aside this
 Union element in the democratic party, because, forsooth it may hazard the permanency of a po- litical organization? By mo means Every feel. ing of patriotism, of national preservation. of constitutional peace and safety, forbid such a criminal course.
 We need their aid, and support We need their cooperation, power and influence, not in the light of party success, but in the great strug gle of nationaland social existence. Tho Union loving democrats are willing to cooperate with us, to stand up with us, to stand by us, until the end, ready to brave the dangers, and share in the triumphs.
 But Thomas is apprchensve that this Union element in the democratic party is small, and peradventure may become aggressive, and grasp ing. Suppose it is not one half, or one third, or even one quarter of the party, yet as the portion, be 1t great or small, is as truly patriotic as the republican party, IS it not the part of wisdom of safety, to give to this element place where it can be heard and it's influence felt, and if in the future, indications shall become prevalent that
 Thomas fears may be realized. the future may
 also suggest the appropriate instrumentalities, | to meet the danger.
 | And how does this hazard the safety, or the perpctuity of the republican organization We
 ask them to cooperate with us, in putting down
 the rebellion. Duty and inclination force them to the Union side. They cannot remain inac- tive. They must act somewhere, either with us
 or alone as a separate political organization. Cooperation with the republicans fruitful of good but if we force them to turn from us, if we reject their aid and influence, through coward
 ly fear, that such cooperation may work an abandonment of the republican organization, or compel it act separately, or remain silent and in active, none shall tell the consequences.
 The object of co operation is not political one. It looks not to the perpetuity, or success of political parties. It's object is one of yaster moment. It is national one, looking. to the preservation of our national existence. and he, who in such crisis as this, shall interpose poli- tical considerations, looking to the perpetuity of party organizations, or the success of political parties is little else than traitor, whose head quarters should be at Fort Warren. or Fort La, fayette. Is the republican party acting from DO. litlcal aspirations in this crisis Is the perpetu- ity of political organizations or the success oe political parties, the moving element in Thomas political actions? Has he no higher, or nobler feelings to impel him on in this great struuple for national existence, than the low and grovel- | n noP ,sS