The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-05-06
THE COPPERHEAD OwGaNyxa
TiON AND LOYAL DEMOCRATs.

sltion to the action of the Government as
called forth the drnunciaiions of the War
Democrats of the State. The Convep.
ton was held, however, and the Mahony-
ties succeeded in carrying their platform
and nominating their candidates. There
upon Judge Clark, who was Presiden, OF
the Convention. denounced It's action and
retired in disgust from the chair. and
with many others lef, the Convention.
The Mahonytes, the opponents Of the
war from The start, the sympathiters, and
those who have since fallen ito their
schemes, are still in the ascendant in the
/ party aud will control their State Conyen-
ton. They are united in secret organ
ization, under oath to resist the Govern.
ment. to resist the draft AMI resist the ar
rest Of deserters. Their secret orcanira-
tion originated in the South, and il en-.
braces traitors in both sections Of the
country under common oath, and with
mutual signs and passwords, whereby
traitors 10 the rebel army are bound NOT
+ to shoot th2ir friends in our army. and
rice rersa. These are the men in the
North that we call Copperheads. because
copperhead pin is one of their emblems.
Jones, Mahony, HutchiDs, IT. Clay Dean
and such like notorious characters. are
| prominent members of the order, and
have organized their secret lodges all
over the State And the members of
/ that order, under the dictation OF such
men, will rule the approaching Demo
cratic State Convention There is no
remedy for that. Their numbers and
their activity, with the secrecy and system
with which they work, will secure their
success in the Convention beyond all per-
adventure.
Now, we know there are many loyal
Democrats. many who do not belong TO
this secret organization, and hardly know
OF It's existence, much less Of its treason
able chs racter aud Of the extent of its
operations. And just iecausc they are
ignorant OF these matters, they become
the dupes of these plotting traitors, who
have organized in secret to give aid and
comfort 10 the enemy by resisting the
Government and opposing the war. And
IN sustaining the party, led rs ii is by
these secret oath bound organizations,
honest Democrats will ere l,ng End thar
they have been led into actual treason to
their country. They will realize. when
too late. that there was much wisdom.
as well AS patriotism, in the words o!
Douglas when we warael Democrats to
beware lest their devotion to their party
betrayed them into treason to their
country.
The Government has in its hands am
pie testimony, taken in Indiana, Illinois
and Iowa. in relation to these secret or.
gannatlons, their character and aims. and
the movements of many of their members
Measures have been taken by the Govern.
ment to prevent OF suppress their armed
resistance, and in due time the evidence
will be made public which will foreye,
stamp these secret orders with iniam,
and hold up to the indignant scorn o.
mankind the gull y instigators and active
supporters of these narh -boun nd nurseries
and propaganda Of treason.
Let all loyal men beware of assuming
the cmblems of treason, under the delu
sion that it is mere badge of party fel
~. and let them beware too Lest they en-
list under the auspices Of secret treason
able organisations and plotting orgaui-
gers of rebellion, while under the impres.
sion that they are merely supporting o
tIme-honored party. Remember that the
great leaders Of that party are dead, in re-
bclion against the government, or are
supporting the. Government in its efforts
to restore its authority over the Union.
The present leaders are the Joncses, the
Woods, the Vallandighams. the Mahonys,
and such like new men, distin guished for
nothing but their opposition to the Gov.
ernment Of their countr5, and tt cir sym.
pathy with traitors. Remember, that al
opponents of tho war follow the lead OF
these men, and that all our brave and pat.
riosic soldiers, who are Sighting the battles
Of the country. despise and denou nee
them. Remember that such democrats as
Gov. Wright Of Ind, Gov. Todd of O..
j.. Holt of KY. and Andy johnson of
Tenn. support the Administration and the
war and dsnounce the Copperheads. Look
over all the west. Are there any Vallan-
digham democrats worthy to be com pared
IN age, weight Of character. standing
and influence in the democratic psrty
with those old Ehesl horses of the part, !.
There are none. Then why not follow
their example and support .hs Govern
ment. rather than enlist under Jones. Ma.
hony and Dean to oppose the war and
the Government.