Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-03-27
FRIDAY. MARCH -, 1868.
Genuine Loyalty not Ungratef"I'

Genuine Loyalty not Ungratef"i' |
We published day or two since letter |
from Capt Mcdonnell OF the 29th regiment
in which, after expressing his opinion, as |
Gallant soldier should, of the class at home
who oppose the war, he said: 81 understand
that soldier at home is unworthy Of notice
If this were true in the broad sense which the
writer seemed to give it. it would he melan-
choly fact. Slight cause indeed would the
faithful soldier have for encouragement Ii ms
services and sacrifices were so soon forgotten
Fortunately it is not true. Time has chas-
tened the enthusiasm under the influence OF
which many of them were persuaded to enter
the perilous scrvce--at a time when the du-
ration of The war was uncertain and its re-
suits were shrouded in deep gloom But 1t
has not abated the nearly universal respect
for the heroic and devoted self-sacritice which
they made at the beginning, nor the admlra-
ton of the faithful courage with which they
1yp borne tire bur 7rr1s VI II
" upon victorious and disastrous battle-felds.
STILL it is not surprising that our gallant
men in the field-looking wistfully to their
old homes, often vainly, for something OF the
favor andwarm, demonstrative applause which
encouraged them at the start-Sometimes
think we are trifing with them, when it seems
to them that nearly all energy is devoted to
local interests and private ends, and almost
none 10 the great cause in which their hearts
are enlisted and to which their lives are
pledged. 1t would be strange il they did not
sometimes distrust the hold they have upon
the gratitude of those they left at home, and
think they were giving themselves up for
people who were not worthy of the sacrifice
1t is due to them that they should know, in
every way by which the assurance can be
given, that they are still faithfully remember
ed. that the great masses of the people are
still warmly, earnestly, cordially on their side,
that now-when it seems as if the seed they
have planted in trial and pain was almost
ready to bear its triumphant fruit-when the
final success seems to have thrown out its
hopes in advance, as the morning sun lights
up the world before its own orb appears, that
now more than ever the country holds them
in no reluctant or half-hearted honor.
The few who remain at home and are still
bold enough to discourage the army and the
work it is doing are not in any just sense rep
resentative men. They have had political
prestige They cling still to the old sources
of their power with the tenacity of dying men.
Whenever the army has been weakened, and
its hopes discouraged by defeat, or when cleo
tons are pending which they have been ac-
customed to control, their audacity forces
them into prominence greatly out Of proper
tan with their p2%sE Ihsg are t9l sJ 4 n
y and deeply rooted that it can afford to be
charitable and tolerant Elsewhere, in every
border state, everywhere within the lines of
the army, they are recognized public enemies,
and make display Of their traitorous procliyi
ties at their peril. Because they are tolerated
here, they are able to send abroad the impress
sion that masses Of people who cannot separ-
ate from the political organization which holds
them in utilization, are like themselves, enc
mics to the war and to the instrumentalities
by which alone it can be prosecuted with sue
sess. Next to fighting the battles of the coun-
try. to thwart their influence and destroy their
power, is the highest duty OF patriotism.
What hope would there be for constitutional
government if we were once fallen under the
sway of Fernando Wood and such as listen to
his counsel? What hope indeed under Thorn
as H. Seymour, and such men as are using
him for thepublic dishonor? Whathope under
any of the bold bad men, who, when the ship
was in distress and all hands were needed to
save her, went below in sullen mutny, leav-
her to her fate, because they dislilled the cap
tain and had in fair weather quarreled with
the crew! What John Horne wrote of Junius
is literally true of them: Their principles
suit no form of government They ought
not to be tolerated under any constitution.
There one motive of hatred is fit only for the
devil" To meet them whereyert they appear.
to resist them on whatever ground they
choose, is high public duty. There is no
other way in which the public safety can be
conserved, and genuine loyal influences keep
their due place in the economy OF the govern
ment.