Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-05-14

denounced as copperheads, traitors
disunionists, &c, because we wish sim
ply to sustain the Union as it was, ant
the Constitution as it is. Had they
the discretion to see that they are do
ing the work Of JEFF. Davis by encour
aging discord and bad feeling through
out the north, more efectually thar
they could in the ranks Of his rebel ar
my, with guns in their hands, some
hopes might be entertained of q better
state Of things.
1t has frequently been asserted BY
some Of the best men in the Union
both in and out Of the army, not only
by Democrats but by Republicans, that
if this was the object Of the war, they
would have nothing to do with it. AS
we have opposed this policy in time OF
peace, how can we be expected to en-
dorse it in time Of war? Upon this
issue, [ am confident, no concert Of ac.
ton can be had. There is but one
thing that can bring US together, which
is, simply, the Constitution and the
Union. IF there is a man who is not
in favor of restoring the Union as it
was, and the preservation of the Con
stitution as it is, he is disunionist al
heart. He cares more for the destruc-
ton Of slavery, than he does for the
perpetuity Of the Union.
Well, the war is upon US, with ali its
terrors, as almost every family through
out the Union can testify, by the loss
Of kind parent, a1fectionate husband,
or devoted brother, and to-day the
question is asked, what can we do to
be saved ? Yes, it is really question
whether we can sustain the Union
This state Of things is not much to be
wondered at, considering the reckless
manner in which the war has been con-
Quoted. AS it was a foregone conclu-
sion that the war would be mere
brush; that we could dispatch our en-
emies at our pleasure; and in order to
make nice thing out of the operation,
and fill our pockets with the loaves and
fishes which would naturally grow out
Of it, it was necessary not to be in q
hurry. In this way, many have gone
into the war, blind 30 the interests of
their country, allured by some vain per-
sonal object, have neglected opportu-
mites that ought to have been improv-
cd, in consequence of which our arms
have not been successful; while others,
who have cared more for the destruc-
ton of slavery than they did for all
other considerations, have actually tried
to stop the wheels Of the government,
have constantly kept the Executive De
partment in continual broil, and, in
the language Of Greeley himself, the
President has really no cabinet at all.
In this way, many good officers have
been removed from the service, or
brought into disrepute. With this dis
gusting state Of things, many men have
become SO cnraged as to exclaim, in
the bitterness OF their wrath, that s'the
thing was did !" that the government
is actually destroyed. In my humble
opinion, as a citizen, this state Of things
is all wrong This I consider to be
our weak point This is what the Fa-
ther Of his Country warned US against
the only thing that could ruin us
namely, sectional strife. That we can
act in harmony together, and indulge
in sectional animosities, is a matter OF
inpossibility.
Let us, then, discard all quibbling
about this thing or that thing, and unite
upon the one all-important point, at
least for the time being-the preserva-
ton Of the Union. Is it possible, then,
that we have forgotten that these free
institutions were purchased by the for
tunes and lives Of our revolutionary fa-
thers-that We, after having enioyed
the blessings Of free government, are
not willing to preserve them TO poster
ity? Can it be possible that any true
American car be SO lost as to admit
that the Union is destroyed? What! {!
that the Flag Of Our Union, the Star
Spangled Banner, once the pride and
admiration Of the world, emblematic
Of American freedom, as she foated
over the blue sea, was hailed with ioy
by the people of every cline, was a
welcome visitor in every port on earth.
What! admit that our Union is de-
stroyed? the land Of the free and the
home Of the brave; the country whose
broad plains furnish sustenance for the
starving millions of Europe, and whose
commercial resources command the
key to the treasures of the world -
The man who can concede that orr
Union is destroyed is no better than a
rebel i'll arms. Yes, [ will 60 further,