The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-10-31

@>The paramount meanness, stupidity
and natural depravity of the Copperheads
is coming more and more to public view
every day. Even since the awful whipping
they got at the polls, their innate want OF
patriotism and manhood still crops out.
They cannot be thrashed into even the ap-
pearance or pretense Of being friends OF the
country. To the Presidents call for men
they respond as though they were citizens
of Great Britain or the insurrectionary
States. They say, "You Abolitionists and
War Democrats who are in favor OF the
War and putting down the rebellion, en-
list and 60 and fight. You are in favor OF
War. Let US see you fight. This is moth
ing to us. We are. peace men. This is your
arar-you may fight it out!'
The Copperheads will neither fight for
the Union nor goiSouth among their friends
and aid in it's destruction. They claim the
protection of the laws for their persons and
property, but refuse to aid in sustaining
and upholding lawful authority. In a
struggle unparalleled in the history of the
world, for National existence, they claim
to be neutrals. While the fabric Of civil
Government is being torn down over their
heads, they say to US who are resisting tie
aggressors: go on with the fight If you
think you can put down rebellion. Our
candidate for President was not elected
our party is not in power. We are not in
the fight. If we help any body we shall
help the rebels
This is fair statement of the Copperhead
situation since the election. Their grovel-
ling minds seem to take in but one contin-
gency. They comprehend or understand
nothing of the heroic sacrifices which are
being made on every hand. They know
nothing of the thousands Of true hearted
women who are laboring all over the land
to support and properly bring up the chill
dren whose fathers are battling for the old
flag at thirteen dollars a month. They
know nothing of that heroism which meets
death in every shape, in camp, in hospital
and in battle for love Of country. They
know no more of the great events trans
piring around them, which will live in
song and story while the English language
is spoken, than does the oyster in his shell
at the bottom Of Chesapeake Bay. But
their expansive vision takes in one contin-
gency, and but one. If all the friends OF
the country enlist and go to the wars, then
they will be able to carry the elections and
get into office.
Va. The talk of the Copperhead papers
about the new call for troops is character
istic as it is damning. They sheer at the
necessity and mockingly tell the Union
men to volunteer! AS if the Union men
had not already volunteered! AS if they,
because they are traitors, are therefore to
be allowed to shirk their share of public
duties and public burdens, and cast them
all upon the shoulders of the true and
loyal!
It is about time that this delusion were
knocked out of the scamps. The cheating,
lying, treacherous, cowardly sneaks are
to be taught that they must do their share
of the work required to quell the civil war
thev brought the country. They may as
well adopt the notion, first as last, that the
country has claims upon them, individual
,
will he enforced against them. They may
understand that it is not for towards and
traitors to decide how the war is to be con-
Quoted, when it shall stop, or who shall
serve in the army. This is no part of their
functions. The war is doubly their war.
They are the cause Of it, and, besides the
duty of all to aid the country to make it
triumphant, they, as its instigators or
abettors, should be made to bear the chief
part of the burden. Hitherto they have
escaped these burdens and remained at
home to keep up a fire in the rear" of the
Union men who have gone into the field.
1t is time matters were changed. If men
will not do their duty willingly they should
be compelled. And they will be. Volun-
teer or be drafted. There is the choice
Union men will do their share. Men who
try to shirk will be made to do theirs also.
Send Papers to the Soldiers.
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