The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-17
Copperheads as Peace Makers.

IN late sPseCu III Hnlcn ne SAID great many
fine things about liberty. the Constitution the and
, Union, and talked eloquently against the des-
potism of Lincolns Administration, after having
pretty uch exhausted himself in assailing the
Administ. on and everything connected with
the war, at tst v~u 1red to elucidate the copper
head programme is way
The only hope "A return to peaceful coun-
sells, and to secure the return of those counsels
the cry should go forth, from one end of the land
20 the other, "We have had enough of this
death struggle" But what is to be done, they
may say, after you get cessation o. hostilitieS !?
We cannot, perhaps, penetrate the future and be
able to see at this moment what can or should be
done. But alay the passions which war engen.
ders and we shall be at no loss to find way. God
will help US. (Applalse) 1t is not by force OF
arms that we are to have another Union but by
force of reason. Reason hides herself in these
days, poor, naked, shivering thing, amid the
peting of the storm. Go to your army and they
will tell you they have had enough of slaughter.
Brave men will tell you this. There has not one
battle been fought since the war begun whether
in their favor or against them that doubts have
arisen in their minds as to the possibility of con-
queriug the South. Some of them remember
what Chatham said OF the rebellious colonies.
They could not forget either, nor should we for
get, that the men on the other side of the invid-
ious line are of our own kindred also, and re-
fecting on these things, these men of whom | am
speaking, who are, many OF them, looking to Con-
nectlcut and hoping for Democratic triumph
here (Appause) these men begin to doubt the
morale Of the war. Is it for freedom, or is it the
the work OF Cain in multiplied vast and fearful
form? The pilpit may push it on, but the words
of Christ shall rebuke the p1lpits thunder
" Blessed are the reace makers, for they shall be
called the children of God" tremendous ap-
plause.)
We hardly know which most to admire, the
piety and affected simplicity of the speaker, or
the enthusiastic love for the peaceful teach
ings of the New Testament, exhibited by this
Connecticut audience Of copperhead Democrats.
1t has been, ever since our remembrance, one of
the chief boasts of the Democratic party that
it IVES in favor of the last war;" while the
Federals were the miserable gneaks who opposed
~ The Democrats we're in favor Of the war with
Mex, 20, and it was the cowardy Wings who OPP
rosss j. Democrats have always until now been
tbe becer mt party ready at all times to stand by
,be fac. where yer and by whomsoever assaulted
ard have been 20 bellicose at times as to invite
war, that through it |, hey might gain new renown
for their party, and new military glory for the
great Western Republic. They believed in the
mission Of this infant giant of the West-not
mission of peace, but mission Of empire; and
A. - ;tc y bo
tive of the great Democratic party to carry its
standards aud win its victories. Caleb Gushing,
.taIdng as the Apostle of Democracy, said the
destiny of this nation was to march, march
march," a perpetual tramp wherever fresh
fields and pastures new invited, and enthusiastic
young Democrats cheered the sentiment to the
echo.
But how has the party changed. Instead OF
the proud war-horse, with dated nostrils, champ
ing the bit, paving in the valleys, smelling the
battle afar off and rejoicing in the midst of armed
men, we find the copperhead variety of the latter
day Democracy gentle as a sucking dove, cult
vating the graces and the fruits Of peace, stop
ping its ears to shut out the horrid din of battle,
subsisting upon diet of milk and vegetables,
abstaining utterly from all beligerent meats and
drinks, grating Olive branches into all the stout
and gnarly oaks that have been its pride in years
past and piping in dulcet strains the beatitudes Of
the Gospel of Peace to admiring and cheering
audiences ofroughs and rowdes gathered to sit
under its preaching. We confess, at first sight, !
this sudden change seems to be the miracle of
our day and we are inclined to believe according
. the story told by Daniel s. Dickinson, that the