The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-10-30
Young Men.

IL is a noteworthy feature in the material
into which parties are divided at the present
time. that more than three iourths oil the
Young men Of the country belong to the great
party of the Union, and arc among its most
earnest supporters. Aud when our soldier
BOYS return to their homes tho contrast
which this feature gives, will be more str'k-
inrly apparent. Laying aside the question
of patriotism which ought to be hrst and
foremost in every consideration, it is the
highest wisdom as a point of policy Tor
Young men TO avoid that course, which will
assuredly bring the dark shadow upon their
future, which forever will rest upon the
leaders and followers Of the democratic "
party. known now and for all time as the
"coppcrhcads."
Young men can not afford to DO disloyal.
A broad future lies before them, and it will
be Just what they make it. Posts Of honor,
cmolumcnt and trust are to be filed by pa
triots and statesmen in that "all hail here
after" when we shall be q united and happy
people. Men, whose record has been made
and who, in any course they may pursue,
have every thing to gain and nothing to lose,
adventures soliciting the suarages Of the
people, may consent to brand their name
with the broad seal of "aithless and trcach-
orous found" but no young man with u
worthy ambition can throw away his good
name and take upon himself such an cnor-
nous load as he will surely have TO bear, if
no allies himself with any other party than
that which bears aloft the banner of the
Union.
The Athenians were so nicely educated,
and their ear so finely tuned in the cultiva-
ton of their language, that in the public
discussions so common in the best days Of
Athens, and which tho public indiscrimi-
nately attended, the orator who mispro-
nounccd his words, failing to add even that
nice recurring ouphony in which the Greek
language abounds, was driven from the To-
rum by tho shouts of the populaco. And
when that man of to-day, who SINKS his
good name and joins tho prosecutors OF his
country. goes before people whose hearts
arc bowed with sorrow for the loss of so
many dear lives and so kecnly sensitive to the
welfare Of their country for which they made
such sacrifices, he will not only fail, but lgno-
mini5usly fail.
BY and by, as years multiply upon the
man now young, himself aged then, some
young student of history, his srand-child
perhaps, may ask him what part he bore in
the great civil war for tho overthrow of free
democratic institutions in America. al did
not go to the war, child" "But you were
in favor Of your Government, surelyT-
"woll, yes-no, was q supporter Of the
government when thought il was right.
At this perhaps the qucrist may say somo-
thing about tho old motto Of the Democrat
ic party-'0ur country right or wrong, first,
last and always'-and that old man may IT.
ply, "Our party in the civil war, you speak
OF, said but little about jackson, and thought
of him still less. They called us copper
heads, because they said we aided the rebels.
Had the rebellion succeeded. we should have
made great party, but it did not"
No, as an Investment for themselves, mere
ly, our young men cannot afford to be dis
loyal. As we before remarked, we find n
very largo majority OF them in tho ranks Of
the Union men, who have sacrificed their
party preferences, and lain aside every FORM
or party issue, that nothing may hinder them
the great work Of restoring the suprema-
cy of our Government over every inch OF
our wide domain. We acknowledge their
active earnest aid in our recent elections,
and they have the satisfaction Of knowing
that their Government is to-day stronger
therefor. For those who have thus done
their duty as good citizens no such inscrip-
ton, so appropriate for some, can ever be
made:
Here lies one who needed not the call OF his
country. When in peril that country
called for aid, he aided her enemies,
and rewarded protection by
INGRATIDUDE.
Hc,preferred party to his
allegiance and treason to loyalty.