Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-02-12
The Northern Masses.

Some Of his Radicnl brethren are assalng ureeley
for saying that IL the Federas cannot subdue the Reb
els by Nav he is in favor of making peace the best
terms he can. This is pronounced dsgracefnl back
sliding and implies disreputAbe imputatiOn upon the
Northern people, who, it is said determined new
to abandon the war until "the best Government tn,
world ever saw" is restored to its integrity. These
tacks have provoked reply from Greeley, which dis
closes some points without interest to the outside
world he has very different idea Of the sentiments
and determination of the Northern people from what Is
entertained BY his ASSISTANTS "If our "COnserya'
tive" and Democratic" felloW-citzens (he says do
really regard this a. their War-as the war OF the
country we are on hand for long and strong fight
a. they may desire. If the other hand, they choose
to regard it as our War and not theirs propose TO
make finish of it it shall be many months older
And this is an issue that have resolved they shall
plainly meet Only prove that the people Of the loyal
States generally regard and treat the for the Union
as theirs aud we in for many years of con
Aict as may be necessary"
But the Philosopher does not consider such to be the
determination of the people. Various considerations
satisfy him that they 'predOminanty and growingy
averse or Indifferent" the prosecution Of the war
From the Tribune Of the 9th, snbjoin his views
The whole question turns upon what is the will Of the
people" in the premises. If they generally and
heartily for the then believe it may be speedily
and trumphantly ended. 1T they predomnanty and
growingly Indifferent to it, then it cannot Let
Us bring this matter to the test Of facts:
We do not believe that msjority Of those Who voted
for Governor Seymour in late election did so pre-
suming or intending that his success would cOnduce to
the discontinue aud overthrow of the rebellion. Does
the Timesy
s ,la1
that bis massage should conduce to the overthrow otthe
rebellion nor that he supposed it would have that effect
Does the Times
We do not believe that a majority Of those who voted
Tor Joel Parker GoveSuor oNeW Jersey did so purPos-
log expecting that his success Wosd conduce to the
downfall of JEFF Davis 4 Co. Does the Times
Ditto as TO Parker's inaugural address.
Ditto ~ the late Democratic Fiumphs in Ohio, In
diana and Illinois What says The ItmcSf
We understand that thousands OF copies OF The
World are regularly distributed through the Army OF
the Rappahannock GRATIS or Al a nominal price-opu-
lent DcnOcrAtSin this city supplying the neediul. We
believe this distribution is calculated and intended to
demorazd that army, and thus aid the Rebels. What
says The Times
We last Summer spent one night Of each week for
month or so at popular USterng-pAce this city,
where ninetenhs of the guests what called loyal
Democrats One of them was a Brigadier-Gene OF
Volunteers. At this place we're two or more AyoWed
Sccessionsts-one of them the intimate constant
ciata Of the Democratic Union BrigAder. No one
treated ea kindly cordially by the great majority for
ayoWing Secession procHVtes, while AbOlitiOnis
xas the Seaeral aversion AN this mind you, before
there vas any Proclamation Of Freedom grumble att
Now de don't believe this sort of Unionism will
PIT down the Rebellion.
If by 1.-THE People" The Times means, what the term
literally imports then at primarily
a question of fact. If the anti-Republicans of the
ioya States arc really intent on saving the Union BY
putting down tie Rebels, then We with them for so
long fight may he necessary. But if they are, on
the contrary disposed to let the national break
down-if they propose TO stand of and grumblc, and
impede, and embarrass, any disafect-thCn We tell
them tia. they shall take the MI responsibility Of their
f,c,ious and unpatriotic course. We know that the
loya States can put down the Rebeion-we know that
the TriJgns alone csnno;-we apprehend that the Re
publcas cannot, unless relieved from "a FIRE in the
rear"
Me,srs leaders Of the Democratic party such re-
solves "a YOU have set before the Legislature Of New
Jer.ey-such a course you pursuing in the Legis-
aturrs of Indiana AMI llnOis-such demonstrations
YOU ave Hakiug in Aid of dcSertion and decentralization
IN our national Arnies-Arc hurrying the country to
ruin Win YOU pause in your career, and unite in an
earnest resOlue united effort TO the Republic p
It Is not vet too late; but who say how it may
bel