davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01
From the Marietta Republican.
A Voice from the Army.

The following extracts from private
letter written by an officer in the 18th
Regiment, o. V. L., may be considered
as fair offset to the unpatriotic illusions
of some of those who serve the Govern
ment for the emoluments Of Office, and are
ready to advocate what they know to be
wrong, in order to advance their personal
interests:
81 hope for change of policy, now
that the 4th of March is at hand. | be-
lieve President Lincoln has been dictated
to by the radical Abolitionists in Con-
gress; but now that the old Congress is
dead, 1 hope he will be more conservative.
He must be convinced by this time that
the Proclamation policy is a failure, that
it has produced no good results, but has
done what he predicted it would, united
the people of the South and divided those
of the North. IF he will withdraw or
modify that proclamation, pat Mcclellan
at the head Of the Army, and call the new
Congress together, the country will have
some reason to hope for speedy termina-
ton of the war and a restoration of tho
authority of the Government throughout
the country. A vigorous prosecution OF
the war, FOR THE UNION, without any
reference to the negro-with an official
announcement that we are ready to make
peace at any time with "the Constitution
as it is and the Union as it was " or on the
basis Of the Crittendcn or Border State
proposition. would do more to end this
bloody conflict than dozen proclamations
OF freedom to the negroes.
II hear that the Legislature of Ohio
has passed an act allowing the soldiers to
vote. I hope it is true. think Unien
| Democrats will get warm support from
the Ohio boys in the field. l am con-
fident they will from the members of the
gallant old 77th. The Democratic mem
bers of the Ohio Legislature attested their
willingness year ago to accord us this
right, but the Abolitionists, who claim to
be so confident that the army is Aboli-
tionized, defeated the bill then. If not
tampcred with by officers who think it
necessary to be Abolitionists in order to
their commissions, the soldiers will vote
for candidates who believe in the policy
have said [ hoped to see adopted.
ssThere is considerable sickness in our
Regiment, though the Smallpox has abated
somewhat We have but about two hun
! dred men for duty. now We are guard
ling about thirteen hundred prisoners,
! many of them Guerrillas under sentence
of Imprisonment for fifteen years.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01
Canal Being Opened

CAIRO, March 24-Memphis papers of
Sunday report that another canal or cut
off is being opened from the Mississippi,
fifty miles below Helena, into Deer River,
Washington Lake and into Sunfower
River, by which we gain access into Yazoo
City and Haines' Bluff.
They also report that Farragut's gun
boats had reached the lower mouth of the
Vicksburg Canal One small boat passed
into Lake Providence. The water is rush
ing into the lake at rapid rate
The Federal force at Greenwood is still
held in check by the rebel battery.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01
Good Advice.

To those who dislike the Conscriptiou
Act whether they are Democrats or Re-
publicans-and the opposition is probably
as strong from the latter as the former
one of our exchanges offers the following
excellent advice. It says:
"The law will probably not be enforced
until May or june, and the PEOPLE may
do much between this time and that to
ameliorate its operations, not by counsel
ing RESISTANCE, but by representing to
the authorities the injustice of the bill,
and asking that it's enforcement may be
postponed, and Congress called together
Immediately for the purpose of providing
means of defense for the country No
good can come by revolution or resistance
to law, and as the right of PETITION still
remains to American citizens, grievances
may be remedied by proper representa-
tion to those delegated with the power to
execute the laws
Another Democratic exchange, the Chill
licothe (Ohio) Aduertiser, we'll says of the
Democratic party:
"And lnasmuch as they never had even
an imperfect organization to aid in run
ming off fugitive slaves, in violation of a
law designed to carry out mandatory
provision of the Constitution of the Uni
ted States, and inasmuch as they denounce
all violations of the Constitution, they
would not be SO foolhardy as to organize
'sfor resistance to the Government and the
laws of the land" So long as the ballot
box shall remain free to them; so long as
free press and free speech shall not be
wrested from them, no apprehension need
be entertained that they will have recourse
to violence. They will submit their cause
to the people upon Its merits, and grace
fully acquiesce in their verdict, should
their verdict be against them.
"That the Conscription Act is unpopu-
lar, is true. The mass of the people, es-
pecially that class who can not raise
money to buy exemptions. without regard
to political classification heretofore, look
upon it with detestation, aud for this de
testation thus entertained, the leaders Of
the Democratic organization are not re-
sponsible Their advice to the people is
| abide the law; commit no violence agains
the constituted authorities; but exercise
your right of suffrage, and through tina
instrumentality displace frem power those
who have done you this great wrong, ant
keep out of even the smalle1t Offices theil
apologists.'
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01
Daniel w ebsfer Ola Free
Speech.

uIt is the ancient and undoubted pre-
rogative of this people to canvass public
measures and the merits Of public men.
tits q home bred right, a freside privi-
lege.s It hath ever been enjoyed in every
house, cottage and cabin in the nation. 1t
is not to be drawn into controversy. 1t
is as undonbted as the right of breathing
the air or walking on the earth. Belong
ing to private life as right, it belongs
to public life as a duty, and it is the last
duty which those whose representative |
am. shall find me to@abandon. Aiming
at all times to be courteous and temperate
in its use, except when the right itself is
questioned, I shall place myself on the
extreme boundary of my right, and bid
defiance to any arm that would move me
from my ground.
aThis high constitutional privilege |
shall defend and exercise, within this house
and in all places in time of peace, in time
of war, and at all times. Living [ shall
assert it; and should leave no other in
heritance to my children, by the blessing
of God I will leave them the inheritance
of free principles, aud the example OF
manly. independent and constitutional de-
Tense of them"
What commentary on these noble
sentiments does the conduct of petty off
cials furnish! What commentary are
the recent acts of those in authority in
Western Virginia, who have forbid the
people there the poor boon of expressing
their opinions publicly, against the pro-
priety of adopting or rejecting the pro9o-
sision of Congress for the erection of the
nronosed new State of West Virginia
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01
n NJ. E. CoNrEnEscE-The annr

H1 N. E. CONFERENCE.-THE annual
Conference of the NJ. K. Church met at
Coshocton last week. We are indebted
to Rev j. NJ Carr for list of the ap-
pointments for this neighborhood
Barnesville District-J Moffat, p e.
Barsesville-J L. Deems.
Barnesville Circuit-W. Harris, G. H.
Edwards.
Morristown-R. Hamilton.
Bellair-W.. r. Marshall.
Moore6eld--A D. Mccormick.
Bridgeport. d. Vail.
Woodsfeld-T. H. Wilkinson.
Baresville-C. C. Davis.
Centreviile-D. Rhodes, j. Dillon.
ST. Clairsvilie-J. NJ. Carr.
Fairview-J. c. Taylor
Sewcllsville and Hendrysburg-J. f.
Nessly.
CHAPLAINS IN THE ARMY.
F. w. Vertican, 1st Va. Cavalry.
j. w. Brady, 1l6th Ohio Vol nifty.
A. j. Lane, CD Ohio Vol nifty
Rev.. Jas Henderson is p. E. on Cam
bridge District.
Rev. W. A. Davidson goes to Liberty
St. Church, Pittsburgh.
Rev. S. Y. Kennedy remains at Sewick
ley. =
The Conference passed the very stronc.
gest kind of resolutions on the state OF
the country.
Bishop James presided.
The next Conference will be held al
GAINESVILLE.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01
Townships Meeting.

All Democrats and other Conservative
men of Center Township, who are in ia
vor of
THE UNION AS IT .WAS---AND THE
CONSTITUTION AS IT rs, ars re-
quested to meet at the Court House; in
Woods6eld, on Sd TURDAY, April 4,
1863, at 2 o'clock p. NJ, for the purpose
of nominating Township Ticket to Fbe
supported at the election to be held on
Monday, April 9th.
Hon. JAMES R. MoRR1s and others
will address the meeting.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01
mir. Crittersden.s Advice.

In late speech in Philadelphia, the
Hon. John j. Crittenden said: "Ncrer
tail to protest against any uiolatioa OF the
Constellation, nor let any member of tie
Government traasgress. People are very
easily habituated to encroachments upon
their liberties The siren song was fatal
to the listener. The people should ad-
wise the Government to change its course .
Mr. Grittenden does not believe in the
theory that to oppose the Administration
tn to oppose the Government.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01
Army Resolutions.


We have received copy of resolutions
passed by the 18th and 21st Ohio .Regi-
ments. the preamble of which is as fol
lows:
WHEREAS, we have learned with pain
and regret that a portion Of the people in
the free States are expressing in loud
terms their hostility to the course and
policy pursued by the administration in
its efforts to subdue the existing rebellion,
and by endeavoring to sow the seeds of
discord and dissension in the federal army,
are manifesting their sympathies with the
rebels by proposing cessation of hostiii-
ties and counselling an ignominious COM
promise in order to pave the way for a
dishonorable peace.
As matter of course resolutions found
ed upon "whereas" of that description
will denounce very Indignantly, and justly
too, that "portion of the people of the
free States" who assume the position
announced in tie preamble. But this
indignation is wholly unnecessary and is
labor lost, unless, indeed they were gotten
up for the benefit of Horace Greeley and
that class of men who propose ga dis
honorable peace" Although the resolu
tions are very lengthy we will cheerfully
publish the whole of them, if any man
can point out single word or syllable
ever uttered by Democrat or printed in
la Democratic paper which counsels a
dishonorable peace" or proposes "an
|ignominious compromise. There is a
class of busy bodies and mischief makers
who have been spending their time for the
last six months,-ever since the October
Eleetions-in endeavoring to provoke
civil war in the North by trying to instil
into the minds Of the soldiers the idea
that ga portion Of The people were seccs-
sion sympathizers, base allies of the reb-
els, &C., &c. They know very we'll that
no Democrat ever proposed any comprom-
Use but an honorable one, one that would
restore the Union as it was-no peace
without the Union restored.
When the OFFICERS Of these regiments,
for the resolutions purport to be adopted
by the officers alone, say they have learn
ed that anybody is proposing a "dishon-
orable peace all we have to say is that
they have been misinformed. And the
newspapers or men who teach them that
any one is advocating any such thing,
with the exception of Horace Greeley &
Co., heretofore mentioned, are guilty Of
base falsehoods.
It is true that ga portion of the peo-
pie, and they are the majority as shown
by the recent elections, are opposed to the
policy of the administration-tha policy
which has sacrificed a quarter of million
of the lives of our best and brayest citi-
zens, and squandered two thousand mil
lions of dollars of money without accom-
plishing anything.
It is true that ga portion Of the peo-
pie are found in opposition to that ad-
naiaistration which by its unconstitutional
measures is seeking to overthrow the Cor
ernment which the soldiers in the field are
now perilling their lives to defend. The
soldiers ought to think of these things
and inquire whether certain class OF
individuals, commonly termed abolition
lists, are not deceiving them as to the sen
timeats of the majority Of the people at
home.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01
VIoKsBuRG, March 21.-The gunboats

VIoKsBuRG, March 21.--The gunboats
Hartford and Monongahela passed War
renton about six o'clock this evening af
ter a heavy cannonading of an hour and
arrived safely, and are now anchored be-
low this city at Sweeders Point. The
Richmond correspondent of the Charles
ton Mercury says: Gen. Lees where
'abouts remains profound mystery, and
also in his report of the Stones river bat
tie Gen. Bragg severely censured Gen.
Breckinridge.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01

PoRr ROYAL March 18.--Lientenant
Colonel Gardner, of the Seventh Connect
.icut Regiment, is to be arrested for obtain
ing the signatures of soldiers, to peace
resolutions, to affect home elections. 1t
has created great Indignation among the
Connecticut regiments.
Connecticut has the post of honor in the
impending battle. General Ferry is COM
mander of the Union troops from North
PHarolina. Every thing indicates success.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01
Doct. OsCons,or.s speech.

& We conclude this week, the publication
'a,sf this excellent speech We hope none
ofiour readers will fail to, peruse it. Those
persons Who support the war policy of the
administration, and at the same time claim
7. they are not abolitionists arc shown up in
sthcir true colors by an unanswerabfe array
Of facts as we'll as by sound and convinc-
ing argument.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01

Eg VALLANDIGHAM, on his return
home was greeted with monster recep-
ton, and THAD. STEVENS, of Lancaster
City, Pa, was serenaded by some of his
friends on his return home, but the return
of DIR. TRIMBLE occaisoned no demonstra-
tion on the part of his friends 1t seems
to US, that the Dr.'s friends should have
honored him with serenade, especially as
his Congressional career terminated on
the 4th inst.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01
our Premium.

For ten new subscribers to the SPIRIT
and fifteen dollars, we will send to the
person getting up the Club, one copy Of
Godey's Lady Book, three dollar Mag
azine; copy of Nine Demorest's Quar-
terly Mirror of Fashions, or an extra copy
of the Spirit, whichever they may prefer.
A Lady by little exertion can easily get
ten subscribers in neighborhood, thereby
securing splendid Book for herself As
soon as the names and money is received
the Book will be forwarded.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01

NEW York, March 23-A Barbadoes
letter, of the 25th, states that from look
out station the Florida was seen at Eve P.
NJ to Eve three vessels, some ten miles
from Barbados shore A large side-whesl
Steamer, presumed to be the Vanderbilt.
went after the rebel. samsa
We are all excitement and anxiety hero.
One Of the vessels burned was a guano
ship. 81 ss.,sas
The Florida was seen all night steering
north by east.
A subsequent letter, of the 18th, states
that the pirate arrived at Barbados, and
was supplied with coal, &c. Msf6t was
feted BY the Governor, for which the
pirates returned thanks by simpressing
twenty British sailors.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01
Rebel Army Falling Back


from fredericksburg on Richmond
q Colonel La Grange, Of North sCdrozina
Dead-Gen. Burnside Chorged to De-
fend kentucky from Rebel Invasion.
New YoRK, March 25.-The Times
dispatch says that refugees, who arrived
within our lines yesterday, confirm the
statement that the rebel army is falling
back from Fredericksburg and being mas
sed in the defenses before Richmond.
They state that the entire force left at
Fredericksburg on Sunday night to have
been only 5000.
They also confirm the news that the
gun making machinery and ordnance
stores are being rapidly removed from
Richmond into Georgia. That the with
drawal of families from the city has fully
set in, and that sales of property are be-
ing forced to ruinous loss.
They also state that the acknowledged
loss deplored by cavalry soldiers in Rich
mond, sustained in the recent threshing
Averill gave them, was between four and
FIVE hundred killed and wounded. Among
the killed was Col. La Grange, Of North
Carolina
The rebel guerrillas came again to-day
down our line at Chantilly, and made a
feint of attack. Seventy of our cavalry
dashed at them and chased them mile
or so, till, in passing, they received flank
fire from behind pickets and a barricade.
Our cavalry wheeled and fed, pursued by
the enemy, but rallied and again charged
| the rebels to a distance of three miles.
One great duty with which General
Burnside is charged in his new Depart
ment, is to defend Kentucky from the ap-
pretended rebel invasion. He will be
furnished with an ample force for thai
purpose. Should circumstances favor, ht
may cooperate with Gen. Rosecrans IL
Middle Tennessee.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01
Army Correspondence.
CAMP, 25TH RECT. o. v. 1.
Near Brookes' Station Va.
March 10Th 1859

DIED-On the 18th inst, of Chronic
Diarrhea, at this place, LEANDER BOS-
TON, a member of CO. &C. of this Regt.
in the 23rd year of his age.
This young man volunteered in said
Co., at its original organization, at Woods
field, and has been good and faithful
soldier, and in the numerous engagements
and skirmishes, in which his Regiment
has participated, he always showed himself
to be brave and daring. He was beloved
by all his comrades in arms and associates,
for his many good qualities.
NJ NJ
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01
UNION.


There is no word in the vocabulary of
politicians that has been so often and so
gersistently perverted from its true mean
s ing and its original signifeation as the
word g Union" If this word was capable
of protesting against the ill-uses to which
it has been subjected.b demagognes and
political tricksters, with what indignation
would it inveigh against these men, and
how yehemently would it protest against
the pesyersion Of meaning it is compelled
s. 70 undergo.
!. !, Before the election of Mr.. Lincoln, an
.slunionist was one who opposed the dismcm-
,s.sberment, under any circumstaL ces, OF the
= several States of the, American Con(ed-
.seracy. He believed that under the Con-
; s.stitution this Union could exist "part
"a Slave and part free" He was accordingly
sneered at as Union saver /" and de-
n1ounced as lickspittle of slavery. On
J, the other hand he who would say that
x{if stbs election Of Lincoln would dismem-
o Der the Union, let it slide '-he who de-
y clared that rather than compromise our
s..dif6culties would prefer to see the Union
~ dissolved disunionist. But, now
ynf5rsooth, these same men, who have not
sdehSnsed their views In single particular,
Who hold the very same doctrines now,
i. assbefore the election of Lincoln, instead
ebof being disunionists as they then un-
yldoubtediy we're, are par eacetlencs Union
men
Before the election Of Lincoln rather
than compromise. rather than yield one
spjnch frem their position, they would see
szahs6Unioni idismembered. Has the author
Of the phrase, irrepressible conflict "
{ sseyer abandoned or changed his views
! ssHeye Ythe Republicans or Abolitionists
sa.asef abandoned the position that this
Union ought not and can not exist ''part
sb.sSlave and part free?" Never. Do they
- :. not, % = then, hold that the only possible
se uniou lisa union of free States? And is
yofhisl not "a moss miserable perversion OF
the. true meaning of the word "Unicn :
1ss2tanght BY Washington, jackson, Jeffer-
.xsans Clay, Webster and q host of other
q statesman ana pa'rio'ss NJ,
u.LA0lels parry Nnicn : a.@ 'a.'su as
-,aa sne q: = = nsun ..p'., pa' M ~ ,.e
Ks e'sss0a oa1lsu ' l a,;.,aa1 ..;olstsrs
snkss,sss l..as.ss = - 49, - shon,d b.
si,nasiss osu = : s''a - - "l.l , Oa,a - h;s -
s.sss,'' ..aa'.'a' = - n'''s' 80. = IL -
s9s1siry .ssHoi 9 msas NV so. ~ - -
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01

word "Union in its proper Specification,
is engraven upon the heart of every true
American and there is too much patriot
ism remaining in the hearts Of the people
ito permit it to be either counterfeited or
alloyed. They desire the true metal.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01

Our Washington correspondent says
that information has been received from
Cairo indicating that the Yazoo Expedi-
ton has been successful, and that Vicks-
burg is practically ours. No date is
mentioned for the Cairo dispatch. We
have had so many rumors and assertions
that have proved untrue. that it will be
hard to make the people believe anything
without more specific proofs.-N. y
Tribune.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01
NEW YoRK March %

NEW 1Ohk, Marcn "a.
The steamer George Washington, from
New Orleans, on the 10Th, has arrived.
The Erie of the 10Th mentions rumor
that Port Hudson has Leen evacuated, but
it is not credited.
The Tribune's dispatch states: "Gov-
ernment has information Leading to the
opiniaion that the rebelarmy Of the Rap
pahannock is making preparations to fall
back toward Richmond. probably to the
defense of that city. The uppfehensiens
of the Davis Government are that IA at
tack is intended by way of James River.
This backward movement is considered
necessary to thwart it. Refugees confirm
this theory, and add that Lees force is
much reduced by the withdrawal of Long
streets command, tho two Hills ana other
rebel Generals, with their commands, Who
have gone to other parts of the Confedera-
|cy. Paroled prisoners, direct from Rich
mond, state that actual want of bread aud
meat begins to press upon the rebels.
9 Information is received OF the capture
of cavalry picket guard, of from twenty
to thirty men, stationed at Oceoquan, by
"a detachment of Stuart's cavalry. Who
came by way of Stickman's Ford. Other.
detachments Of Stuart's force recently
made their appearance at several points. "
"The Times Washington dispatch says:
F" Reliable information has been received
here that the rebels are abandoning their
line on the yRappahannock and falling
back upon their defenses in the vicinity
of Richmond.
1.-The War Department has rscsived
rolls of all regiments comprising the ar
my of the United States, which show the
number of absentees or desertsrs TO b.
upward of l25, 200"
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01

pg William Read, Henry Brown, Ed
ward Yost, John Okey and s. L. Mooney,
Directors of the Agricultural Association
of Monroe County, are requested to meet
at the Office of j. o. Amos, Esq. in Woods
field, on
Friday, Apra 10, 1863.
Business of importance will be bsfore
the meeting. S. P. JONES, Pres't.
j. w. RICHARDSON. Sec'y.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01

p@- THE terms of peace are thus laid
down by one of the most eminent leaders
of the administration party:
l would accept anything on an anti-sla-
very basis, I would accept separations;
| would accept compromise; would ac-
cept disunion; | would accept peace and
pay the whole Confederate debt at par, on
an anti-slavery basis. .af s,ssss
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-04-01
Glorious Democratic Victory
i'm Franklin.

We omitted to notice the result Of the
Election in Franklin Township for jus
tice of the Peace at the proper time, but
it is not too late yet.
The Abs nominated their strongest man
for the office, and thelDemocrats run two
candidates. The result was that David
Forshey genuine Democrat was elected
by seven majority over both. That will
do pretty well.