The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-03-09
Coon SAMARITAN HOSPITAL,
r. Lours, Mo-, March 4th, 1868.

Sr. Lours, Mo-, March 4th, 1868.
M Friend: read your card in the
Gate City repudiatlng the resolutions
which were presented aud adopted at
previous democratic club meeting.
write you this to say to you that rejoice
that you have thus publicly rejected doc
trines SO unpatriotic, and for that reason
anti-demccratic too. cannot, for the
life Of me, see how any one who is sound
. democrat cannot be heart and soul the
friend of his country and opposed to this
helI.concocted rebellion. Why not ''leave
al meaner things and raise their voices
and their arms too, in bitter denuncia-
tons and efforts to put it down. Why
90 men who claim to be democrats utter
sentiments boldly and publicly, which are
words of encouragement to rebels. and of
bitter regrets and discouragement to the
army in the field, fighting, bleeding, and
dying, not only for the restoration of the
Union but to strengthen aud perpetuate
the power which gives security and re-
pose to those who are enjoying all the
comforts Of family and home. Not only
so, but what will be the effect of such =
course of policy, but to dampen the ardor
and the patriotic zeal Of those who may
yet be required to contribute their aid to-
ward the full and FINAL restoration of the
Government and country. And then
what win be the effect upon the minds of
the women and children who have been
made widows and orphans in var which
is condemned by their friends and neigh
bos.-what solace to parents who have
lost their sons, and what hope to those
whose husbands and sons are still in the
struggle, and suffering every saerifoe
which can be conceived home, friends,
family, peace and safety exposed to sick
ness. and in SO many instances to death
AAso1s anu sust w ~ OtbSout iAu0-WiCu-
out parents, brothers or sisters to soothe
them in their dying moments. With
sentiments such rs these anti-war men
utter, what can the wife write TO her hus-
baud who is battling for the right under
his seventies and discouragements. when
there is party declaiming against the
var and its injustice. Can they console
and sustain them, and bid them to great
er deeds of valor and heroism Can they
eniiven their hearts and give them assur-
ances OF content at home in the hope that
they will add fresh achievements to the
many they have gained and add other
green laurala TO their browy
II these anti-war men do not mean to
give said and comfort" to the enemy
what in heavens name are they reaching
to accomplish? L. there not wicked re
bellion in the country. They admit this
shoaid it not be put down ? They sa,
yes. II the North does not conoue
them, will they not conquer US? woul
they rather live under the confedera,
government than the government Of on
fathers Are they in favor of anarchy {
no government 1t all9
They talk reverntly of the Constitatio,
That glorious old Constitxs,o.-the vi,
dom Of our fathers. Every soldier in Il
field reveres it, and they prove it by the
conduct--their sacrifices and their con,
age. | wish these anti-war men voul
give US similar proofs. They can affor
to talk about the Constitution when on
OF harms way. The tree is known by it
fruit, and their love Of the Conssitu.io
would b better evinced by action rattle
than By words or by carefully worded re,
oluti0as.
But Who first made the first rent
the Constitution which has been wide,
ing every day! The rebels who rega,
the Constitution As little as they do the
God. in whose sight they are every ds
committing the most atrocious crimes
They spit upon the one and boldly def;e
the other. and yet the anti-war men
the North appeal to the Constitution ss IL
guide and rule Of our actions. Thu
would tear the ermine from the back
the Judge, thereby throwing contem,
upon bis law and decisions, and apoth
party oopss with hypoeritical pretensio
offrisndship, and while he i, abeu. 70 u
It Justice and resribution upon the q
thors Of the outrage, they tell him
must do it judicially and offer him 1
torn and tattered robe that hs may do
according to the law which has Be
trampled under foot.