The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-02-28

strength of the rebellion. In the divisions
among US, the source of our weakness. The
teachings Of Washington prove that do not
over rate the evils and perils of party strife.
The sage Of Mt. Vernon was filled with sad
forebodings by an evil that he fully compre
hended
At whose door lies the evil? you ask. Has
not Republican Administration exhibited q
sufficiently liberal, catholic spirit? Has it not
acknowledged and honored and reward9d }oyaf
sentiment wherever it has been founG ltAre
not more than half of our leading GENERALLY and
military officers Democrats Is not the Dem
ocratic party represented in the Cabinet, ID the
| field and in the legislative balls, through the
aid and by the consent Of the Republican par-
ty? Are not Stanton. Halleck, Butler, Dix,
Dickinson. Holt and host of others, living
| witnesses OF the strength of the loyal sentiment
! in the Republican ranks, and Of Republican
anxiety to effect q union in the loyal States
for the sake of the Union? ! would give full
force to such evidence, and do justice to the
patriotism that has brought about such re
suits. Yet, for all that, l could wish that
there was less Of a carping, censorious party
spirit among my own political friends, and
that they were less sweeping in their denupci-
atoms of the opposition.
But, whatever may be the faults of Repub-
licans-snd to deny them is weakness not
worthy of magnanimous men-they cannot be
held responsible for the shortcomings Of the
opposition. What seems to me to be essential
Is, that the cause and character of those short.
comings be fully understood. believe in the
loyalty of the great mass Of the democratic
party to the Union. / believe that ambitious
and interruptions men-just such men as have
kvoxr ~h< no%p ntsn ho a
made use of that intense party feeling that has
ever characterized the Democratic masses, to
awaken partizan strife, at a time when every
patriotic conviction demanded its suppression.
believe that these masses do not realize the
moral effect Of their action upon the contest
that is going on between the rebel and loyal
States. believe that they deem themselves
the friends Of line of policy better calculated
to preserve the Union than that pursued by
the Administration and its friends. The mon
strous fallacy is not the less dangerous be-
cause it is adhered to with blindness and
zeal characteristic of partizan bigotry. This
blind psrtizan zeal must be subdued before the
voice ofreason can be heard. Whatever tends
to supplsnt partizan bigotry, and to give place
to patriotic devotion to the Union, does the
work of the country as efectually as it is done
by loyal armies, who speak through the thun-
der Of cannon and the bayonet charge.
! Its discipline and drill has been the boast of
the democratic party ever since it had being
"Party, right or wrong has been its watch-
word. By this sign it has conquered. The
Charleston convention could not break this
cohesive power. The party fought in divisions,
but with all its wonted desperation, folly and
madness. WELDING this power of an infatuat-
ed organization, desperate demagogues are
So L. Lo~ L. of h. hale 40
effectually as if they were at the head of the
ragged legions who are fighting the battles Of
slavery upon Southern soil.
That am not mistaken is evident from the
tone of every rebel journal that finds its way
to the North. but the deluded masses see no
thing of this. The light is persistently shut
out from them. When they fought for slavery,
they thought their selves thesPecial champions
of Democracy; and in now furnishing moral
aid to the rebellion, they deem themselves do.
ing the Union service.
Now, sir, facing this alarming evil of the
revival and growth Of party spirit in our
midst, at time when every consideration de-
mands union and harmony, is it not wise to
provide against and discourage it as far as
possible? Is it wise to aggravate it, to accept
the guage desperate demagogues have thrown
down? Is is wise to represent the formidable
organization that brought disaster to US at the
ballot>box in 50 many States. last fall, as in
sympathy with the rebel hordes of the South?
Is it wise to give to the rebels themselves and
their sJmpathisers in Europe, the plea and
strength they cannot fail to derive from con-
viction that the Administration and the friends
of the Union are overwhelmed in some of the
leading States of the North? The hope, born
of such sweeping statements and denuncia-
tions, is marrow in the bones of those who
would prolong the rebellion and destroy the
national life Without it, they would die
Without it, they would throw down their arms
in despair. Our own men, in the field, are
rendered anxious and respondent, by the strife
of party at home. 1t look to them like mirth
at funeral; like laughter amid the horrous Of
of the battlefield. -z
But, you admit the wickedness ami despera-
ton of the men who are stirring up this strife
at home, and tanning this fame of discord-
What would you do with them, to save the Gre
dulous masses from their poison? l would ar
raign them for high treason, try and convict
them. l would let loyal tribunal witness the
character and effects of their teachings at
home and abroad. Months since, proteste /
against the Jail deliveries of untried men, who
enter society surcharged with ten-fold malig
nifty and power for evil. If it was wise to ar
rest, it was unwise to release without trial
The release was equivalent to an admission of
error and wrong on the part Of the Govern
ment. At least. such is the popular verdict
But, if trial and conviction be too formidable q
work, send the -iDg-leaders, the master spirits
| of strife and disloyslty in the North, hey ond
the lines Of our army. We can fight them bet
ter there's and their reception there will re-
move every shadow of doubt as to their char
acter and purposes. Ovations would greet the
Vailandighams and Mahonys in the rebel states
and the lesson of their political death would
more than neutralise the poison Of their lives
! You had, in your own city, at the recent
election, conclusive evidence Of the power of
4 the Union sentiment, when fairly called out
and arrayed. Yet there were hundreds who
would have contributed to the glory of your
4 victory if their minds could have been disabus
ed. II they could be made to see and under
stand that the preservation and peace of the
Union is the end and aim Of every act Of the
Administration, that the perpetuation of liber.
ty is the animating principle of the Govern
ment, the sting Of party strife would be drawn