Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-10-29
Patriotic Letter from CoIene Sanders of the
10Th Wisconsin.
HEADQUARTERS 10TH REG. Wis. Vol,
Newport News. Va. Sent. S. 80.

GENTs.:-I have just seen a call for a state
convention of the Loyal Democrats" of Wis
consin, to convene at GAINESVILLE on the 18th
inst. | heartily rejoice at this movement; it
should have been long ago. The democracy
of the State have been dragged down and
misrepresented by parasites and self-consti-
tuted leaders for the last two years. Vallan-
digham's speeches and the Ryan Address have
been the touchstones of Democracy, and the
masses of the party are hidden to fall down
and worship them, Or be communicated
from the fold. For one, I rebel against this
caucus tyranny.
Palmer, Dewey Il Co. represent the Cop
perheads. Of course, they pretend to be pat
riots and devoted to the Union. This can
deceive no one. They are faction that
ever since the war began have held back,
croaked denounced the government, and op-
posed every measure of the Administration
They have uniformly resisted all State leg
islation intended to aid the recruiting, equip
ping and arming of our volunteers. Many a
brave Wisconsin soldier has fallen on the
battlefield, but there are also many survivors
acho wU long remember the "Copperheads."
The platform upon which Mr.. Palmer
stands was designed to distract and divide
| the honest democracy OF our State and eve
~ vote cast for the Palmer ticket will prop
| erly be counted as so much "aid and comfort
to traitors-so much additional burthen laid
| upon the already heavy lUden shoulders of
our brave volunteers.
| There is but one issue " Shall the govern
| ment of our fathers stand or fall ?" Or in
other words, shall a prosperous and happy
people be sacrificed to crafty the selfish ends
| and mad ambition of slaveholding oligarchy?
| Speaking for myself let me say, [ am in ia
,nf,> int no ItJtin f1,o
integrity of the Union therefore, am op-
posed to any compromise to procure uncondi
tional submission to the proper authority OF
| the government. Any compromise before
| this, or short of this, would disgrace US in the
| eyes of all nations
The South rebelled, as they say, 'to save,
protect and perpetuate slavery" The issue
thus made up we must meet, and whatever
and wherever the peculiar institution ,
comes in our way we must wipe it out
Rebel sympathisers at the North view this
war as a mere political contest to be carried
on like a political campaign; fought withres-
olutions and addresses, and decided at the bal,
lot box. In this they are mistaken. The ma
ton, convulsed, is struggling for life. Hugo,
speaking of Napoleon, says 'Waterloo is not
battle, it is the universe changing 'front.'
So it is with US this is not a political strug-
| gle, or local lnsurfecIon, II Is second
changing offront." Republican government
commanded to transform itself into an arts.
toeracy or monarchy; and SO history will
record it.
The vast interests at stake must needs
make US anxious; but we need not despair.
! Heaven is above all yet" md we shall again
see the old flag waving over the old Union
Let there be no hesitation in the LOYAL
| camps no concessions to or compromise with
blood-red treason. Loyal democrats are true
to the government in the storm as in the sun
shine; they can have no fellowship witt
traitors; no political affinities with Northern
sympathizers with treason. 1t is a good omer
that you are about to cut loose from the Val
landigham and Ryan organization. l wish
you Gods speed.
HORACE 7. SANDERS.
Col 10Th Wis Vol