The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-04-21
Daniel q. Dickinson on Sham Democra.
G.. H. L.

ply to an invitation to attend the Union
Mass Convention at Toledo
ALBANY, MARCH 18th, 1863.
GENTLEMEN wish | could respond
to your generous invitation of the 9Th
inst, by attending your meeting of the
| 9Th in person, but shall be unable to
do SO, and can only send you my ac-
acknowledgements and the assurance oil
my sympathy in this hssty note.
Of all human problems, the one to me
most difficult of solution is, how loyal
mind, outside of penitentiary or mad
house, can, in any manner, under any
pretence, to any extent, or for any pur-
pose, aid, assist, countenance, wink at,
or apologize for, the black and murder
Gus conspiracy and rebellion which are
engaged in attempting 10 destroy our no.
~ hope-the Union.
Our brave soldiers who are engaged
in this struggle, ten fold more important
than that which was waged for Ameri
can independence, deserve, and should
receive, the love and thanks ofevery man
and woman, and be cheered by the uni.
ted voices of a whole people, regardless
ofage, sex, condition, or political design.
alton or opinion. But we must blush 10
own that the rebellion they are resisting
in battles Of blood apon the field, dying
amidst the malaria of marshes. and en-
during the priyations of The camp to
crush, is justified, stimulated, and en-
couraged by politicians at home, and
that, too, in the sacred name of Democ
racy
0 Democracy Democracy How
many abomuations are practiced in thy
name Thomas jefferson was Demo
crat for he evolved the sublime theory
of mans equality Andrew Jackson
was a Democrat, for be waged war OF
determination upon monopoly and priv
lege, and strangled the first serpent of
secession by bold and intrepid measures,
and by the startling enunciation that
:" The Union must and shall be preserv.
ed" Both these great lights remained
faithful TO the creed they cherished
they went to their rewards full of honors,
and, like the setting sun, seemed great
est as they sank 10 rest They fought
the good fght-they finished their
course, they kept the faith. But, If JEFF
ferson had finally changed his theories
of mans equality TO the advocacy of a
government based upon the foundation
of perpetual negro slavery and il Jack
son had sought the destruction Of the
Union by armed rebellion, or had usi-
fled or apologized for those who did so,
they would have better represented De.
monology, than Democracy. and their
memories would have been scorned and
execrated, instead of being embalmed in
a grateful nations heart. Judas. so re-
nowned in sacred history. breaks upon
us as disciple and follower OF his meek
and lowly master : but he was so no lon
ger when he became copperheaded
and copper-hearted, and betrayed his
Lord 10 the Confederate Priests. Bene
dict Arnold was the proud associate OF
Washington, in the early history Of he
Revolution, and his name was upon eve
ry tongue for military skill and intrepid
daring. In an evil moment, like modern
Arnolds, he became dissatisfied with
the prosecution Of the war, and the ad
minIstration of the Government" sece
ded from his high estate, and was Rev
dictionary Patriot no longer, but
" Left traitors name to other times.
| Linked with one virtue and thousand crimes .
More manly. however. than his copy
lists of our day. this illustrious wretch
did not content himself with apologi
for and jusIiying those who robbed. and
| pillaged. and murdered his countrymen
but he entered the service TO which he
had sold his polluted being. and was
/ first and foremost in the work OF havoc
and destruction, with. his blood red hand
And yet, Judas should pass for worthy
/ disciple, Arnold for a distinguished pat
riot. with those who believe il IS good
citizenship and true Democracy to resist
or embarrass the Government in lis ef
forts To crush tie rebellion which seeks
our destruction as nation.
I am an old fashioned and adherina
Democrat, aud believe in its sublime
creed to day, as | have through long
aud somewhat eyentful life But De
mocracy. like coin, may be counterfeit
and in proportion as the true is valuable