The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-02-12
The Duty of Loyal Union Men.

The Duty of Loyal Union Men.
The action of a certain class of the people OF
the loyal States of the Union styling themselves
Democrats, is becoming in its effects, highly
damaging to the Union National cause, if not
disloyal. We will not style such an action
reasonable, but its effects are very much the
same, as if it was. It weakens and discour-
ages the Union cause and it Just so far strength,
ems and encourages the rebels.
We allude to the action of the Democracy in
the Legislatures of Illinois, Indiana and New
jersey, in each of which resolunous have been
introduced, and we believe passed, censuring
every act OF the Administration in its efforts
to put down the rebellion and save the coun>
try, condemning the war. and recommending
an armstice, for the purpose Of compromising
with the rebels. In all these resolutions, not
one word of condemnation, or reproof even, of
the rebels and secessionists can be found. The
whole blame of the war, and all its evils is
charged upon the Administration, aud the par>
ty that supports it. Every intelligent north
err man, we care not how bitter a partisan
Democrat he may be, kno,ss in his heart that
such a charge is UNANIMOUSLY and wickedly false.
We are charitable enough to believe that this
unjust and wicked course is proInp ted by par-
tisan feeling. and for the purpose of regaining
partisan power and triumph, rather than by re.
al, premeditated treason. We bellows the great
majority of the Democrats are at heart loyal
to the Government and to the Union, and would
shrink from the work of its destruction, even
in view of the fact, that political opponents
were to administer it for a Presidential term or
TWO. On the other hand we believe that there
are political leaders and demagogues, who, in
their partisan madness, would rather rec the
whole fabric of this once united, prosperous,
happy and powerful country in ruins, than see
themselves and their party give way to an OPP
posing political party. How else can We &C
count for the course ofthose politicians who are
At shls crisis in our national history, throwing
the whole weight of heir moral and polite al
influence into the balance, against the Unto n
cause, aud in favor of the disunion, and in con.
sequence, III favor of the destruction of the
country and Government.
Honest, loyal men, Of whatever political par
ty they may he, knOW, there is not,sand has not
not been, from the fret any reason for his Bit
ter and wicked opposition to the Administra>
ton, when at the expense Of the country, ex-
cept in partisan hate. They knOto that no adj
mlnistration since that of President Jackson,
(when the great Democratic principle, that "to
The victors belong The spoils," was first enun,
clated) has shown less partisan bias than the
present. With a magnanimity never dreamed
Of, and therefore beyond the appreciation of the
political leaders OF The opposition, Pres ident
Lincoln, at The very first, gave macy of the
highest and most responsible positions to his
avowed political opponents, and only when time
andexperience have clearly shown therecipients
Of such positions, either incompetent or recre-
ant 10 their high trusts, have they been remov-
ed TO make way for more loyal or more capable
successors, And IN almost every instance such
successors have been chosen from the same 20.
liticaI party.
These are facts that cannot be truthfulIy gain>
said, and yet the leaders of the so-calIed Dem
ocraiic party ARE doing their best to make their
constituents believe, that the administration il
intensely partisan, and is waging this war sole
~ for partisan ends. The burden of almost v.
cry leader in the Democratic press, and of ev-
cry Democratic speech in Congress or State
Legislature, is that tn administration is ways
ing an abolition war against the Constitution.
al rights and privileges of "our southern breth-
eren.' We are constantly told, over and over
that the President is a tyrant and q isurper
and a violator of the Constitution lie is sworn
to uphold, and protect. These are only a few
of the trumped up, false and baseless charges,
suggested and instigated by partisan hate, UNI
principled prejudice, and unholy ambition.
This country, dearly as it was purchased by
our revolutionary sires; precious as it has be-
come to the great and good of every cline, and
the lovers of liberty of every country. as ''the
cannot be preserved to ourselves or the wcrld,
by any such course, by even a portion of the
Free and Loyal States. We must be united in
purpose if not in principle, and act in unison
until the great Rebellion is crushed cut. if we
would save the country. The duty of all loyal
men must be definitely understood and per-
formed, by the Democrats, as we'll as Republic
cans. The excuse that the Preside ut is not of
their political party, will not excuse Loyal Dem
ocrats for endangering the very existence of
their country with all its glorious institutions.
Loyal men must forego, for the present the
qualification of their poIicaI prejudice, and give
thei; influence and countenance to the admins.
traitor, in its heiculean task Of crushing this
accursed Rebellion. Loyal Democrats must ac-
custom themselves to see something in the most
exalted devotion to the Union aud the Consti-
tuition, i'll q Republican President, besides an
abolition tanatacism. They may ~willfally shut
their eyes and their understandings to the plain
es; ul.d most palpsbl facts, and blindly cry
abolition abolition" and thus in effect JUS
tity the rebels in their career of iufamy and
wickedness, but it will not save the country no,
themselves from the condemnation of all future
generations. No honest aud intelligent Loval
Democrat can honestly say that e doubts the
PATRIOTISM, or the honesty of purpose of Press
ldent Lincoln. No such Democrat but knows
that this war was wholly unprovoked and un~
sought by this administration, or the Republi-
can party. President Lincoln has but accept
ed The mighty responsibility forced upon him
by rebels and traitors, and is to the best of his
ability aud Judgment with the aid of the high
est ia lent of the Democratic as we'll as Republi.
can party to counsel and advise with trying to
bring the country through the scathing ordeal,
The attempt to create the impression that it is
being done for partisan purposes; or for selfish
or unholy ends will never succeed. Those DO
itical PARTICLES who have attempted it
may deceive themselves, and perhaps a
few prejudiced followers, but they cannot de.
ceive posterity, nor the future historian.
The duty of all loyal men, then, Is to uphold