The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-03-25
2s5 For the Ashland Union.
AND RADICALISM
~ S+4sA- CONTRASTED. :,

| CONTRASTED. ---
Much has been and continues To- be said by
radical orators and presses against Democratic
Loyalty No sooners had theradicals ebecome
firmly invested with the entire power of the
Federal Government than they began the cry
of ''disloyalty" against the only political or
ganization that has at any time contributed to
the moral and physical greatness of the An, ,cr.
lean Republic; and the rank, file and leaders
| of which have ever been justly distinguished
for their untireing devotion to principles, and
answering Fidelity to the Consultation a, d the
IJuiops 81. siaph eess17os sa51|. sfl tys
81 And this base and groundless accusation, so
indiscriminately INDUCED towards the whole
party, was made the pretext for acts of orbi-
trary power which should for ever consign the
guilty, perpetrators aof them to merited igno-
minity, if not to .condign punishment; Under
the pretence,a pretenees sas adespicable as it
was gratu:tous, otIthe ssdisioyalty ofthe Democ-
raey, the right of petition was denied, the
freedom of the press, was Denounced and
abolished, and the people were threatened with
hanging if they even spoke against the. dis
truetion Of the Constitution. The organiza.
ton of mobs was encouraged, peaceable
cit:zens were insulted in the streets, sund in
many. instances--in every instance perhaps
we should remark were seized and impris
oned Eithant process of law, the Courts and
Judges were powerless for redress and the laws
were suspended. There must, indeed, be great
power in loyalty, if one can cor rtinue loyal an
der such hated and dispotic regime. But
where before in the history of the Union, or
the world, for that matter, have peopl. been
expected to swear allegiance to the individuals
whom they have appointed to do their bidding.
This is 70 idle question, it is one of vital i'm
portance when fully and fairly understood =,
The people by concert of action first estab-
lished the Government through their repre-
yscntatives regularly deputed for that purpose,
and who were, of course, acting during their
deliberations, rnder the authority of the peo-
pic. 1t therefore follows that any official, from
President down, must himself swear allegiance
to the people, by taking the required oath of
Office, in which he selemnly commits. himself
to support the Constitution. In the case cf
the President he is required to do more. he
takes solemn oath, and he must be something
less respectable than. mere jester, rho can re-
gard the taking of an oath to be mere idle
ceremony, "to faithfully execute the Office of
President, and promises upon his sacred honor.
that he will, to fhe best of his ability, preserve
protect and deferd the Constitution of the
United States" We do not pause here to in |
quire whether the President or any other, high
official IN the National Government have
ssfaithfu1ly y, performed the ern requirements
of their respective oaths.2 We know, and the
country knows, that they have not. We have
no space to enter into details. What We have
already stated must suffice to, show, that this
question of 'loyalty," has been. shamefully
misunderstood By the powers that be- They
had taken an oath to obey the will of the peo-
pie, as expressed, In their written eGons.itu-
tion and the Laws of the land but the peo-
pie could be under no obligations to take an
oath to obey their will, and besides there is
and has been great uncertainty felt as to what
their wiIlrwopld be, and ., general feeling of
insecurity ipervading the min dsI of the masses
HeHld doubtless promptiin them the prayer of
David !. ..Deiiser me not pyer to The viii of
Union enemies -, ssis yssss iss} iasi9-z'Hi'
ANY comparison which now may be made
between the Democrats fby which name we
gish te Bss fs aerstood as Including all conser-
sPtiye mep, aud the eradicals will develop
tbese faefs the former are are for tbe Gopstitn7
tion as it IS the latter are for an.ptterabroga-
ton of NJ All sEens.itutiopal restrictions; the
foy-,a4 are E3r fhe I1nion as IL Sxas the latter