The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1863-02-28
LETTER FROM PHILOS.
PHLADELpHIA, February Is,

LETTER FROM PHILOS.
PHnADELpHrA, February Is 1863.
Dear Lm0n-SOme time has now elapsed
since last wrote to you, and though have on
several occasions determined to make the
attempt, the dearth of interesting matter,-at
least any which l could communicate-has
each time deferred me- Affairs in the army,
you know, are in statu quo. The displacement
of Burnside, and the substitution OF Hooker
{" Fighting Joe y as the head of the Army OF
the Potomac, has set public opinion once more
murmuring at the disposal Of the discontented
and semi-traitorous clique who style them
selves the Democracy. -..
The Administration, in its efforts to put
down the rebellion, meets every day with more
and more opposition, more Open determined
and rancorOus in its character. There is no
measure brought forward in Congress tending
to effect this misunderstanding, and which
commands scarcely tithe of the support Of the
opposition. The besotted representative Of the
State of Delaware openly calls the President
an imbecile, countenanced by the late arrival
from Fort Lafayette, the Senator from New Jer-
sey; while eulogies of our " deluded southern
brethren" and admiration of their course, are
but flmsily concealed by the artful language
Of Vallandgham in the House, and Powell in
the Senate. The Democracy, which always
contended against banks, show their consis-
tency by voting to a man against the National
Currency bill, and in every other way falslfy
their declarations by their acts.
| Nor is the opposition confined to our National
legislative halls. In almost every State where
| the absence of preponderance of Republicans
in the army has given temporary show of
success to the opposition, Peace Resolutions
| are being introduced, in the success Of which
| liberty, honor, and everything freemen should
hold would be sacrificed in order that cringing
politicians may once more dip their hands in
| the national purse--like Judas, selling their
| country for few pieces OF silver. In their
public meetings, leading Democratic orators
rail at the efforts Of the Cabinet, and prate
about the removal of Mcclellan and the dis
grace of Fitz John Porter, calling these two
Generals heroes and martyrs; and the Board
of Aldermen of New York tender to the latter,
| "their wrOnged and distinguished fellow
citizen the freedom of the city.
| Not the least noticeable of these signs of the
times is the conduct of General Mcclellan.
| Enjoying as he does the liberal salary paid to
the Major-Generals in the United States army,
he travels about from place to place, accepting
the invitations of those who profess to speak
the sentiments of the people Of every town Of
note, and making speeches in which he halls
| with pleasure the indications of cOnserrd ISM,
| which are becoming more and more plainly
disccrnable. Conservatism indeed! that con-
| servatism which courts peace at the expense of
bonor-which sees in the honest efforts of the
Administration to keep our beloved country
promptings of political feeling for supremacy
which would cringe and crawl in the dust
before the great power built upon the sacrifice
| Of the rights of a whole race-Slavery; and
| which would reduce to the same level as the
black the laboring white men of the North.
Call it treason, and it will then have its proper
designation.
Amid so much that is discouraging, however,
we are not entirely destitute of cause for hope
there still are glimmerings of light among 80
much darkness. Among the numerous PAM
phlets being published, and which are having
a wide circulation there is one to which l wish
| to call your attention. the wide dissemination
of which among the loyal portion Of the people
| would do good in sustaining us under all our
discoura agements.* Could you find space to do
so, would recommed its insertion in success
sive numbers of your paper. BY giving
chapter from English history it shows how in
the Peninsular War, under internal dissensions
quite as depressing as those which now embar-
rass us, with q party in Parliament constantly
decrying the Ministry, and eulogizing the
Emperor Napoleon; with a population less
/ than that Of the loyal States and q rate Of
taxation of which we have experienced no
thing; and with the exports reduced from
| ffty-seven to twenty-three millions Of pounds
| in one year. they carried the war successfully
| through, and emerged from the struggle
stronger than ever before. The comparison
| the author makes between the two countries,
and the state of public opinion in each upon
the subjects involved, are very striking. 1
| had intended to make few extracts for this
letter, but space will only allow me to give
| one.
| "The following description of the opposition
of that day, taken from an English paper,
bears SO striking q resemblance to the pecu-
liarities of the leaders Of an insignificant but
| restless faction among ms, that, emitting the
old-fashioned drapery of the proper names,
1 they seem to have sat for the photograph. 1t
! may be remarked as q most singular circum-
i stance, that those persons in this country who
profess to have the greatest adherence OF min
isterial tyranny and oppression, look with the
| utmost coolness on the tyranny and oppression
of Bonaparte. The regular opposition do not
mention it with that adherence which might
be expected of them; but the leaders Of the
popular party in Parliament 60 further. They
are almost always ready to find an excuse for
the conduct of Bonaparte. The most violent
and unjustifable acts of his tyranny raise but
feeble indignation in their minds, while the
most trifling act of ministerial oppression is
inveighed against with the utmost bitterness
Ready and unsuspecting credence is given to
every account of Bonspsrtes success; while
4 the accounts of the success Of his opponents
are received with coldness and distrust. ="
mere are many points TO which l would like
to call your attention, but forbear At present =
Il Yours, &C., PRILos
How . Free People Conduct . Long War.
i By Chas. j. Sdlle. Published by wm. s. and