The Democratic press. (Eaton, Preble County, Ohio) 1860-1865, 1862-07-10

Incited solely by this love for the
Union, and for the country 1t so
signally blessed, and believing with
Andrew Jackson, that ''the found.
atoms of the Union must be laid
in the affections of the people, in
the security it gives to lite, liberty,
character and property in every
quarter of the country, and in the
fraternal attachments which the
citizens of the several States bear
to one and another as members of
one political family, mutually con-
tributing to promote the happiness
of each other" the Democracy of
Ohio have never adopted q Sec
,ional platform, nor ever cast a
sectional vote.
Actuated by this enlarged and
elevated spirit of patriotism, and
esteeming it no dishonor to per-
p~etuate by compromise and con:
cession a Union that was formed
and had hitherto been preserved
by those means, and trusting that
the power of patriotism might
overcome the madness of party,
the Democracy of Ohio, in con-
junction with the other conserva-
tive men of the country, most
earnestly sought to avert our pres
ent calamities, and to preserve the
Union, by peaceable means.
But when the fell spirit of
Abolitionism at. the North and
Secessionism at the South, disre-
garding the wishes of the majority
of the people of both sections. rem.
dered all efforts for a ~peaceable
adjustment Intellectual when the
integrity of the Union was aSGailed
by force and the country plunged
into civil war !; when the President
declared his intention to maintain
the supremacy of the Constitution
by arms and to employ them for
that purpose alone ; the Democracy
OF Ohio, Union men in war as well
as in peace, rallied en- masSe to the
support of the Government From
that day to this they have given to
every constitutional measure for
the suppression of the rebellion AN
effective support. In the field they
have constituted, and yet consti.
tute, a moiety, if not more, of the
military quota Of the State ; and
there is scarcely a battle-ground
that does not bear witness to theil
heroic devotion to the Union. In
the National and State councils
they have granted without hesita.
ton all the men and money de
manded by the Government ; while
as private citizens and voters al
the ballot-box they have given to il
o moral support more powerful by
far than was ever given by a party
to an Administration elevated tc
power by political OPPONENTS
And now, in this sore hour Of
our country's trial, its motto is, as
it ever has been, ITO maintain the
Constitution and preserve the
Union" A party whose whole
history is thus signally illustrative
of patriotism, a party that has thus
sacrificed all mere partisan preju
dice and feeling, for the sake o
the Republic, needs no defense a
our hands against the malignant
assaults of its enemies, and is emit
tied to be heard with thoughtful
attention when it proclaims it
sentiments
And the time has come when, il
our judgment, that proclamation
should be respectfully but distinct
} ly and earnestly made.
A little over a year ago, Con
6 gress, with an almost entire una
= nimity, solemnly declared tina
I Congress, banishing all feeling 9
r mere passion and resentment, viii
recollect only its duty to the Who'll
country (; that this war is not wage
. on their part in any spirit Of or
preston, or for any purpose Q
t conquest or subjugation, or for til
e purpose of overthrowing or inter
q fering with the rights or establishe
institutions of those States, but tt
: defend and maintain the supremac,
, of the Constitution, and to preserv
r the Union with all the dignity
f equality and rights of the severa
-, States unimpaired and that q
. soon as these objects are accom-
plished the war ought to cease"
We need not remind you will
what satisfaction this declaration
was hailed in the loyal States
how it served to fill the ranks o
the army, to strengthen the hand
of the Government, and to infus
spirit and fortitu re into the breast
of loyal men of the South who ye
chung to the hope Of seeing tn
Uniou restored in all its pristin
vigor and supremacy. And ha
there been no departure from tn
spirit of this declaration ; had II
doctrines been advanced in high o
infuention places subversive or tn
o most cherished liberties guaran
teed by the Constitution to tn
: people had there been no corrup