The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-11-08
Constitutional Degradation.

| What grOveling posture does the Democra-
tic party take in the war between rebellion and
Constitutional Government, if it is properly re-
presented by its organs and orators! 1t makes
no pretentions of supporting the Government
in the struggle for national existence, and gives
expression to no Indignation against rebellion
which has covered the land with bloodshed and
mourning. All it's energies are directed to cri-
minating the supporters Of the Constitution as
guilty of the war, because they did not change
it to conciliate the Secessionists II is not pre-
tended that the rebels had any grievances. They
never could state any; nor did they make any
demands, except to be let alone to break up the
Nation. Yet the Democratic party in this terri
bic contest, which demands the united efforts of
the loyal to preserve the national existence,
turns upon the supporters Of the Constitution
and accuses them that they did not throw them.
selves at the feet Of the Secessionists, and be-
seech them to make demands that we might sur
render, 70 imagine q grievance that We might
sssusge it by submission, and to take the Con-
stitution and manipulate it so that they could be
induced to stay in the Union until they could
imagine another grievance demanding more con.
cessiOns.
They, who in civil war expend all their zeal
in charging that the supporters of the Constitu-
ton are in the wrong, will hardly pretend that
Many Americans throughout the war of the
revolution, condemned the war for independence
as wrong, and justified Great Britain. They
might, with just as much truth, call themselves
supporters OF the revolution, az this party that
stands as the public accuser of the supporters
of the Constitutional Government, claim to be
loyal to it.
To what despicable thing would the Demo
cratic party degrade this Republican Govern
mens which we have been won't to boast as of
divine wisdom, and the triumphant proof of
mans capacity for self government! 1t would
make the election OF President standing
cause for secession, unless the successful party
should forestall it by degrading the Copstitutiop
to appease the defeated party. And every
change of the Constitution would introduce IA
cilities, propagate causes and establish prece-
dents for fresh rebellion and greater degrade.
ton.
1t would have every birth of President by
the popular elections throw the Constitution in
to mortal throes, and would make mutilation OF
the Constitution the penalty which the majority
of the people must pay for electiDg President.
To this miserable anarchy the Democratic party
would reduce this proud Republic, in the expec-
sation that when it is established that the South.
ern Democratic leaders cannot be oueted from,
power without war, the people will be held il
subsection by fear, and the Democratic party will
be established in the Government. For this
base end it would have all the patriotic sacri-
fees made in this war result in degrading the
Constitution, and restoring the traitors to pow
er To this end it lifts up it's voice in the rear
of the armies that are fighting against rebellion,
and bowls sgainsl them and the Government
they are supporting, and charges upon them the
guilt Of the war because they did not break
down the Constitution to prevent the rebellion
-CCipcinnati Gazette