The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-09-11
VOLUME 10. NUMBER IS.
A Political Phenomenon.

One of tho most curious questions Of the
day Is, "Why Is there such q vast difference
between tho Democrats who have gono into
the army and the majority OF tho Democrats
who have remained at homer" Tho former,
almost to man. heartily support tho Ad-
ministration In vigorous prosecution ot the
war. while the latter ,ap throwing every OBJ
stacio in the way the Government, or
openly calling for ped p. The Grst solution
oil this problem occuj I'm tho suggestion that
the war drow OF fa different class OF Demo-
crau from those who stayed at homo. But
this Is not always apparent. In Maine, ior
instance. Bion Bradbury and Hon. George
F. Shepley for years stood together upon tho
same hard shell section Of tho Democracy,
both being equally free from any suspicion
of abolitlonism or other form Of partisan
laxity. But Con. Shepley goes to tho war
and secs the national crisis eyc to eye-Nr.
Bradbury remaining politician. The con-
sequence is that Gen. Shcplcy advocates tho
most energetic prosecution OF tho war, tho
adoption Of any measures necessary 70 that
end, and the hearty support Of tho Adminia-
tratiou. Mr.. Bradbury, on tho other hand,
Processes moro fear and dislike Of tho Admin.
istration than he does OF the rebcllion, and
reioiccs In boing the candidate Of those who
denouncc "this wicked, this unholy, this
hellish war;"
And this Is but ono instance Of tho grand
distinction which separates tho Democrats
In the army from tho Democratic majority
Mt homo. On ono side wo hayc, a. an Illus.
tration, such honorable names % those oil
Butler, Shcpley, Burnside, Dix, Rosccrans,
Logan, McClernand and host OF others ;
and on the othcr sidc such significant names
ns these Pierce, the Soymcurs, the Woods,
Vallandcham, Voorhees,, Pugh and too ma
nv moro of Tho same kind. But the distine.
ton is not confined to the generals in tho ar-
my, or to those whose high position may DO
supposed 10 have laid under any obligation
10 the Administration. II equally. TO say
the least, attaches to tho rank and file, who
have nothing to distinguish them from their
old Democratic associates ut homo, except
the honor Of toiling, fighting and possibly
dying to serve their country, on tho paltry
pittance of soldiers pay. And yet oil
those gallant fellows cherish sentiments
which were we'll expressed by that returning
Maine regiment which, while in tho cars the
other day, read series Of ofDcmocratic reeolu-
tions, only to brand thom on tho spct With
their unanimous and indignant disapproba-
ton.
Tho question, then, occurs, Why this i'm.
mense difference between soldier Democrat
and a stay-at home, caucus Domocratf
Will any one say that the former, travelling
over this country and associating with men
Of all sections, is not as we'll informed rs he
who stays by his chimney corner? Will any
ono soy that tho soldier who takes his lifo In
his hand and goes out to servo and save his
country is not as honest and rs willing TO
distinguish between the right aud wrong OF
oil current questions, rs tho man who, IL left
to his own choice, would neither Eight, pay
nor emigrate." to rescue tho land Of his
birth? On tho contrary, Is not this great
difference owing clearly and naturally to tho
fact that the Democratic soldier has, by his
patriotic sclf-dcvotion, opened his eyes to n
clearer comprehension OF the great truth OF
this crisis; that by graphing eagerly with
his own duties, he better understands tho
great duties Of tho nation; that by acting
up to his own convictions, ho has attained to
better manhood and purcr citizenship
than is possible for his stay.athome, carp.
ing, grumbling, once (but now no longer)
follow Democrat? II this is not tho solu-
tion Of this curious political problem, what