The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1863-11-07
An Appeal from a SOuther n
UniOnist.
To the Editor of the n. Y. Tribune.

To the Editor of the N. Y. Tribune.
SIR I: Being visitor for few days
in your city, and discerning something
of the " Signs of the times" and, in
my mind, most naturally associatng
what | now see and hear with what |
have seen and heard for more than two
sventful years, while closely shut up
within he Rebel lines, feel constrained
TO call public attention 10 some very Sig
nificant fac;s.
And first let me say that although |
have been under the almost slecpless
eyes of Rebel officers and their willing
and most prosecuting aids "a portion Of
the time held as poll ical prisoner
yet | managed to see and hear and know
much, and the most noticeable features
and points standing out ip bold relief
on the Rebel canvas are such as ought
most earnestly to engage The attention
of New Workers at the present import.
ant time.
was advised at an early period of
the con ents Of the first impression,
new series Of " Secession Designs"
bound and embossed with Rebel reasons.
| have been what Democrats call a
good Democrat, aud what Wings and
KNOWN Nothing were pleased to style
mean Democrat. ! have acted honestly
and cousciontiously in my earnest sup
port OF the great principles of the DEM
ocratic party, and have been able to ex-
ert some influence. supported Brock
inridge and Lane, but with serious mis-
givings, owing to the then present, as
we'll as former, bearing of certain lead
ers Of that wing of the Democratic
party. When the monster deformity of
Secession lcaped out upon the political
snd mill airy chess board, at once took
3 drm stand as Its unconditional enemy.
What looked upon at the art, as a
mole-hill of Secession evil, have found,
in the progress of events, to be pom
derous mountain. But to he point.
was at an early day, and repeatedly,
called on by leading Secessiopists, who
had been former and political friends,
who inquired /" How can it be possible
that you are Union man ?" | answer
ed, that my reason for not being a Seces-
sionist would be a sufficient reply, nance
ly: that could not believe that 1T was
to the interest of the Southern States,
or any part of them, to pull down upon
their heads unavoidable ruin-that l
could not believe in the existence of any
moral benefits of suicide. | was then
told, by way of further remonstrance,
that it was purel y Democratic move
ment-that the election of Mr.. Lincoln
left no hope of the Democratic party
retaining poll ical power except in
separate independent Southern organiza-
ton. And as the Rebel organization
progressed, ! was poin ed by the same
class of men to the signifcant fact that
almost every office, impor ant or other
wise, wss bestowed upon Democrats.
was further told that the republican
form Of government had been proved
failure, and that a strong centralizing
government, with slavery as its ruling
basis, was to be formed. | asked them
this question " Suppose, for argument
sake, you are right, the kind of govern
ment you propose to establish makes all
the respectable civilized governments of
earth your avoweG enemies. You can
have no real friend among them how,
then, can you hope to succeed, in as
much as you must conquer the powerful
government from which yon seek to
withdraw g. Mark the answer And
II was given by those authorized to
speak " First, we expect, confidently,
moral and martial aid from England and
France : but our all-importaut and all
powerful aid will be received from The
Southern Rights U,ng of the Democratic
party North" How. and in what
way 2" "By creating discussions and
divis ons in the North, by dscouraging
voluntary enlistinen.s, and, when draft
is ordered, by encouraging resistance
and desertion and with these valuable
auxlliaries we shall be enabled, by rapid
concentration Of our forces, to conquer
and destroy their armies" | asked
them what future connection they pro-