Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-11-26
The Cause OF Democratic Disaster.


crafciness, IN search of the cause that
recently brought disaster to the "best
laid schemes Of mice and men," fol
the discontinue Of loyal people at the
polls. The Madison Patriot, under the
heading of GA LITTLE TOO
FAST" favors the public with an
article which begins thus" The La
Crosse Democrat charges our defeat
wholly to the Ryan address. This
clearly is an error" &c, but while the
Patriot admits that the address was
too lengthy, and ought not to have
been adopted as 'party platform, y
it rebuke5 the Democrats cowardice
and weak stomach as follows:
''Bnt while we say this, we affirm
our sincere religious belief, 10 docu-
ment was ever issued since the Sermon
on the Mount which in clearer, bolder
or more truthful language portrayed
the living facts Of history, or which
more pungently setforth the philosophy
Of political cause and effect. We
stand by that address as the embod-
iment Of sound, correct doctrine, but
we could have stood by it with equal
faith and hope had it not been inc0r-
porated into the platform. It's neces-
sariIy great length for that purpose is
all that we object to.
''But no one can make us believe it
was the cause Of our defeat. It may
have served the purpose Of a Dretect
for some who have long been wait
ing for one to stab the Democratic
party"
The Patriot is more than half RIGHT
in its opinion that the Ryan Address
was not the real and sole cause of
Democratic defeat. In New York,
Massachusetts, Indiana, Vermont,
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa,
and Minnesota, the name and politics
Of Mr.. Ryan are comparatively I'M
known.
ValIandigham was not encumbered
by the Ryan address in Ohio. That
Address had little or nothing to do
with Democratic defeat in this State
or in other States. The Democratic
party, SO called, has been repudiated
by the loyal masses everywhere (the
sterile and ariStocratic State Of Cam
den & Amboy exceptcd) because,
tlrst-Because an impOtent Demo
cratic President, surrounded and
guided by disloyal Democratic cab
met, permitted the Democratic lead
ers Of the South to organize a
rebellion that at che time might have
been crushed by a single regiment of
soldiers, under the direction Of Ioyal
and competent executive.
Secondly-Because when southern
Democratic Senators, Congressman,
Military and Naval officers, were con
spring for the overthrow Of the Gov
ernment, the Democratic press, with q
few honorable exceptions, cheered on
the rebels by promises Of sympathy
and aid from the North. These as
surances were freely given by Demo
cratic funkeys at the North, both
great and small, from Frank Pierce
and Fernando Wood, down to such
lousy trash as the Lacrosse Democrat.
Thirdly-Becau<e when the loyal
masses rushed to the rescue Of the
Government and freely offered their
substance, their strength and their
lives, for the preservation Of our c0un-
try, Democratic politicians III the halls
Of legislation, the columns of their
party press, on the stump and at the
polls, lost no opportunity in obstruct-
ing every effort Of the Government to
provide for the safety and success OF
those brave volunteers, and for the
happiness and comfort Of their families.
Eourthiy-Becauso when the ranks
Of the army needed to be replenish
ed, Democratic mobs, instigated by
Democratic editors, legislators and
politicians, obstructed every measure
that was calculated to give the Gov
ernment the required means to resist
the armies Of the South.
And Fifthly-Because the Demo.
@artic party has supplied all ofthe ma,
teriaI that has given strength or viqo1
to the rebellion, except the aid that has
been given by foreign nations, envious
OF our prosperity, and whose intcrfer-
ence in our affairs, has only been pre-.
vented by the fidelity Of Northern sol
diers in the field, and the victories of
loyal Northerners at the polls. If any
additional crime or accusation can be
fairly charged against the Democratic
leaders, it is the crowniug one Of hav.
ing attempted to disparagc our Nation,
al credit, resources and achievements,
which have elected the admiration OF
the world. "When this cruel war is
over" no copperhead should ever
miRgle in the acciamations OF praise
to the "Power that hath made and
preserved us a nation" Nor will any
army veteran, who has shared in the
tolls and sufferigs of war, ever fee
rewarded for his patriotic services, by
the plaudits of any vile eopperhead
who during the terrible struggle in
volying our national existence and glo
~, was so recreant to his trust as a cit
izen Of a free Republic, and SO unpat
riotic, as to grumble aud vote against
every measure devised for its perpe
tuity and safety. The Ryan Address
was but cinder from that Democrat
ic volcano that poured its burning
and consuming lava upon eyerythin:
within its reach.
The Democratic party has had its I'll
lers. lis maiNritps. lis head haart lunnS