Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1863-12-31
Rebel Opinion of a Copperhead.

L he Richmond Enquirer don't like
"Copperheal" quite as we'll as Yankee,
and we must admit. as indisposed as we
are usually to be convinced by rebel reas-
oning. that it presents very sufficient argu-
ments for its antipathy. A more accurate
perception of the nature of the reptile. and
of its motives. would hardly be desirable
even if it were possible. than the Enquirer
exhibits in the following:
"Such is now the position of some of
those who were bat lately Peace Demo
Gratis" Others there are still. we unier-
stand, of this singular political sect, who
believe, even to this day, that we are not
fighting for independence and eternal sep
aration, but for Democratic Administra-
tion in the next Yankee Presidential term
AS the New York News says. they have
been keeping their finger on the Southern
heart, and they know that it pants only
for-say Fernando Wood as President,
with his crowd Of Democratic, instead of
Republican. office holders and thieves
When we talk of independence and separ-
alton, they wink theireye, hint that this is
very good sort Of talk to be used against
the Republicans. approve even of our fight
ing few battles. and pouring out the
richest blood that flows in Southern veins,
in such sacred cause-as the securing of
next -four years plumber. four years! eight.
twelve, one hundred years-for Republi-
canism would then be crushed out, and
Democrats would keep both hands in the
public pocket se,ulo secutorum. These
Peace Democrats feel that they and we un-
derstand one another. Absolutely this
last sort of Yankee is more offensive to us
than the other sort; they seem to us more
intensely Yankee than the abolitionists
themselves. Abolitionists and "Wa,
Democrats" would kill the body and plum
der the goods: bnt these creatures do worse
they insult us; their very existence is an
offense to us, and we shall be the better
pleased the sooner they merge into War
Democrats. and acknowledge the painful
necessity Of slaughtering us to the las,
man."
II the rebels were as acute in rcaling the
motives of Union men as they are of those
of the Copperhe IDS, we should he spared
much ferocious, and some ludicrous. non
sense about ''cnslavement, 'butchery,' -
and "dishonoring wives and daughters. .
How it is that the spirit of those who sup
port the government should be so mon
strpusly misunderstood. and that of it,
opponents be SO clearly perceived. we can
not explain, but the above extract is very
convincing proof that it is so. Former
association may have something to do with
it. A community of hatred of f"aboli,ion
i'm" may nave something to DO with it
Similarity of disposition to ruiD what they
can't rule may have something to do with
it. Every point of past contract or pres
ent sympathy makes a window through
which each can look at the soul Of the other
But however rebel eyes have screwed thei
way into the Copperhead heart no one car
mistake the accuracy of the report of wha
they see there. A Copperhead, they say
is one who assumes, if he don't feel, 6
sympathy with the enemies of his country
that he may embarrass and defeat her, il
the hope that defeat will depose the party
he opposes and give him power; he is a
creature who will sacrifice his country, hi
flag, his national name, honor and exist
ence for a party advantage; he would be
patriotic if it would be better for his par
ty. but as patriotism has been monopoli
zed by his opponents he can see nothin;
better than to make capital Of treason Sc
he works for the success of the rebels, an,
invites their CO operation in consideration
OF granting them better terms of peac
than they could get of those who insist OF
maintaining the government whole. Thi
Is the rebel estimate uf the breed. "Thei
existence insults u.s." says the Enquirer
Their existence insults loyal feeling. too
There is something degrading to human ma
ture in the fact that men can bring them
selves 10 the point of surrenderiag every
thing that manhood prize to gain party
victory. The earnest rebel, who believe.
he is right and exposes his life freely fo
his belief, can no more than loyal mar
endure those who do not pretend to b,
right. or sincere, but claim only to act fol
the benefit Of their party. A Copperheat
is partisan. nothing else or more
Country and all that country means j,
nothing to him. except as he can use il
for party capital. The noblest impulses
and aims are joke to him il he can't See
that they will reach after something thai
will tell in the next elections. He wonld
have ridiculed Washington seventy year,
ago if he had thought Washington had re
fused to run for the Presidency a third
time for any other reason than to make
capital for the Federalists. Your Copper.
head is queer animal. but your rebel un-
derstands him.--Ind. Josr.