Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-10-01
ADDRESS
b. the Loral Democracy Of Wisconsin to tie
paap!a Of fine State.

mo from all common devotion for the pre-
servetion of liberty, and the yindication Of
the national authority, assailed by civil wal
that has no parallel in history. Under the
most momentous circumstances that have
ever befallen any people, it is just and pro
per that loyal assemblage should establish
in their own yindication and for all future
time, the deliberate convictions of their DO.
litical faith, and at the same time recognize
as the highest and most sacred duty which
can rest upon the patriotic citizen, that Of
unflinchingly supporting the Federal Govern.
ment in its perilous struggle for existence
This expression is also salutary as well as ne
cessary. The powerful political organization
wilh which we have acted, has been betrayed
into position destructive of its usefulness
dishonorable to its patriotism and entirely
inconsistent with its history and achieve.
meuts We are, therefore, compelled to be
unequivocaIly explicit in pointing out these
infractions upon the faith and honor of our
party, and We would also prove that loyal
ty exists amongst Democrats as sincere and
impcrishable as was ever felt by any people
toward any institutions that sway by bene-
fcent laws. We cannot be blind to the fact
that self-constituted eXpOunderS have war
ranted public opinion in attributing to the
Democratic party want of zeal and devotion
III a crisis when the government can only be
preserved by force OF arms; nor can We OBJ
serve, without anxiety, the construction
which reasoning world places upon the res
oIutions and popular harangues which assume
to utter its sentiments and embody its spirit.
1t is beyond denial that the burden and sub
stance during the last twelve months, Of all
these addresses, resolutions and pseudo
platforms are fraught with disatfection to the
national authorities, and the most terrible
predictions of their evil designs. JHeg NO.
WHERE ut0ltea generous and Hearty cooperation
NTH oar detcnderS, IA Il ocar ainsed directly at
Our mationmIte. In a moment Of the most I'M
asjuent pubGc danger they hare transgresSel
eoey limit Of mere political opposition, and IN
repeated instances reSorted to tie Languoge of
Mreat md defiance. Instead of cheering CON
gratuIationS and cordial suggestions, the
cause Of the country pro$Pe'ed or wos overcast,
these tacttonary opponents hare dealt IN Iuke~arm
patriotism, OF, rancorouS personalities. IN place
of calling upon the people in the old-fash-
toned thunder tones of the lion-hearted De
mocracy to stand by the government in its
efforts TO restore our national integrity; or
commencing any instance Of its most brilliant
successes, lnese public illusions have uni
formly bristled with accusation, hindrance
and the utmost vigor OF censure.
We may ask how deeply do these spurious
text books, attempting to exemphty the
democratic creed, enter into the duties we
owe our beloved and shattered common
wealth-what eXhOrtation do they breathe to
follow its banner? What sacrifices do they
encourage for its salvation? Where do they
compare the appalling evils OF defeat to the
minor suiferings and evils and trials through
which victory must be achieved? From hat
stand has a popular mouthplece uttered
sentence for the last twelve months which
betokens an approval of the most fortunate
administrative measure or conduct? In what
phraseology has one OF this class encouraged,
a hope that the rebellion will be crushed by
executive or military vigor? Or has one Of
them upon any occasion suggested or APPROX
ed of single eXpedient by which our sue
cess has been achieved, our armies advanced,
and the south driven TO the wall? The war
upon our hands ls, indeed, on a scale OF I'M
paraleled magnitude and among the duties
of an American citizen, the most vital and
absorbing one IL its prosecution and II little
more than year has elapsed since this was
recognized by all good men. With a few
erratic exceptions, republicans and democrats
outyied each other IN the promptItude and
liberality of their contributions of moral and
material aid to the common cause; and all
parties, except few breckenridge apostles
who had not changed their politics, contend
ed with each other for the palm Of devotion.
The plan Of circumstances remains unchang-
ed at this hour, and our duties and necessl-
ties remain as urgent as at the first outpour-
inc of our Indignation. The rebellion still
rears its head, and nothing has occurred to
diminish the sacred duty OF SuppresSlns 1t.
The loyal people of the North stand now,
as then, steadtast in their devotion.
In the meanwhile disatfected persons call
ing themselves by singular abuse of the
term, a 'Democratic Party" and possessing
themselves of its organizations, profess to
have a sincere dread of the Administration
as the real enemy to be most feared and first
deGed and strange and painful uniformity
is apparent wherever their popular assemble
ges are held Tie last object Of concern is the
,j4oyo,ls cldStisenem of the rebellion, and tie
D5iU,aru one is to spread the .frebrandS Of doubt,
apDre6ensjo,t, and the acleSt alienation from
own government. We hear from them no soul
stirring appeals of patriotism that sounded
ms battle cries in the democratic camps of the
Revolution, and with which we reused and
moved the nation i'll our wars with Great
Britain and Mexico. Now the changes are
rung upon the danger of contding in the
present powers for an instant, and while we
are fulfilling the most stupendous portion of
our destiny and the thunder of its p0rtents
covers the land and the sea, the thin voice of
the pseudo democracy whispers only It's com
pIaints; and, indeed, so far has accusation
extended beyond the limit of fair debate,
that the last charge hedped upon tie national au-
thorjtes Is, that they forced this cruel ,car by
dtshonora5Le trick upon the peaceful inhabitants
Of South Cqynii1a. Every point against the
government is magnifed into the most vital
Importance by large conventions and little
caucuses, and the great distinguished public
speakers and the small distinguished public
speakers seldom venture from the Shiny flow
of vituperation and party epithets into the
broad torrent that rushes with love of coun-
try alone, and stops not to spend itself IN
envious opposition to the difficulties and er
rors incident to so great war.
All these querulous carpings are not only
unbecoming the democratic party in this
great crisis but they breed at the same time
a spirit of INSTRUMENTATION; they are beacons
to the enemy, and if they are even false
lights, they still cheer and encourage his
hopes, they mislead true and loyal men who
are taught to believe misrepresentation by
their constant repetition, while al who are
tainted with Southern sympathy, all who are
unwilling TO bear arms, all who are dlslncllned
to pursue the only course before US, in re-es
tablishing peace and the National Govern
ment by force of arms; all who have been
guilty of the late instructions and OF resls-
lance to lawful authority (although condemned
by all great parties aGke,) take refuge under
the agis of the democratic party, and dema-
gogues, both in the east and the west, have
uttered in its name teachings so disloyai and
iuf,ammatory as not to be distinguished from