American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1863-12-23

|
they would not conquer us.
And thus it was, that in the fall of
| 1862, while half million of the uncondi-
tional Unionists were absent from the
polls fighting the open enemies of our
common country; they, by stirring the
prejudices of some, and arousing the fears
of others, stole a march ON the Admins
tration--carried few of the elections,
and then claimed it as a victory of the
people against the policy of the Admins
tration. Imboldened by their success they
at last unmask themselves and declare in
favor of Withdrawing our armies-of grant
ing an armistice, and of doing every thing
else necessary to successfully interfere with
vigorous prosecution of the war. But,
although they had carried the elections in
number of the States, still, with the ex-
ception of New York, their victories were
barren of any practical result. The
Union party, composed of Republicans and
War Democrats, still holding control of
one or more departments of the State gov
ernments In New York it was otherwise.
Having succeeded in one campaign,
they at once began to prepare for another;
even in our own county, as elsewhere, the
people who had but lately been addressed
by men of both parties, in behalf of unity
and vigor in the prosecution Of the war,
were now appealed to, to turn their back up
on it; to withhold from it their confidence
and their support, assuring them that it
had violated all its pledges had changed
its policy, and was now carrying on an
unconstitutional war for the liberation of
the negro;" that we could neither look for
victory to our arms nor final success to our
cause save through the overthrow of the
Administration, and the disorganizaton
of the par y that brought it into power.
On the other hand, the friends of the
Administration and of the country, well
knowing the imminent danger that threat
ened us, determined to appeal once more
to the people in behalf of their country
and its cause. The contest was despe-
rate one. They had to bear the response
bility of every blunder in the field, or di-
vision, or alleged division in the Cabinet
the misdoings Of selfish contractors
the imbecility or cowardice of unworthy
officers, all these they had to bear.
The invasion of this State by Lee, was
an additional reason urged on behalf of
the opposition, the people should speak
out against the powers that be; "were the
election to come off now," say they, eve
would - you fifty thousand" Lees
| invasion however, was limited and brief
Thanks to Gen. Meade and his patriotic
army. The draft was ordered-its in
forccment was discouraged by Gov. Sey-
mour--his friends" resisted it-some
twenty thousand from the army of the
Potomac are detailed for the purpose Of
enforcing the law in the Empire State,
whose people had always been loyal and
patriotic up to the advent of the Seymour
dynasty; here the people had a foretaste
of the workings of the policy of that par
ty which was promising so much. Or
phan Asylums were burned persons Of
all ages and sex became the unfortunate
victims of the excited and brutal mob
The sight Of patriot wearing the dress
of Union soldier was sufficient to arouse
their fury, which was only subdued when
the unfortunate victim lay helpless at
their feet
Thus, the county was furnished with a
foretaste of the fruits of the change of
policy so eagerly insisted upon.
The enemies of the Administration still
pressed forward-they were confident
even insulting and defiant, but to their
great surprise, they were driven from one
battery, then from another, until by gen
eral and final assault, they were driven
from the field.
The friends of the Government breathe
freely once more the Administration feels
safe in the hearts of the loyal people, and
the gallant Union army turns itself to its
patriotic labor with fresh ardor, knowing
that the people are with it, and the result
is now before us. Every where the Union
cause is steadily advancing. Arkansas,
Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee,
and North Carolina, will all soon bemoor-
ed safely in the old Union, and beneath
the unsullied emblem of our nationality.
The political, as well as the military,
campaign of1SG3, will long be remembered
by those who participated in it--upon it
hung the destiny of our country, and
thanks TO the God of nations, the balance
turned'in behalf of national unity and
perpetuity.
And now that the whole canvass is