Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-08-25
Who are the WidOW-MaheFs!

scurru0uS newspaper IN this State which
devotes such portions Of its reading columns
as are not filed with obscene jokes and smut
ty stories to the diffusion of copperhead
sentiments, felieitates itself upon having ad-
ded the epithet of widow maker" to the
general stock of opprobious names which the
Northern sympathzers with the cause of trea-
son and rebellion apply to the President of
the United States.
1t has observed the term employed by some
of its Democratic exchanges, and it wants it
expressly understood that the credit of hav-
ing originated the phrase belongs to it and it
alone. Doubtless the Editor thinks that in
the event Of the election of Copperhead
President, some specially fat sinecure would
be reserved for the man whose genius devils
ed the name of "widow maker" for Mr.
LINCOLN.
In the meantime, however, let us see what
pertinence there is in the epithet. How is
Mr.. LINCOLN a widow maker? Is it because
he has resisted the armed and aggressive
treason Of the Southern States? Is it be-
cause he has refused to withdraw from the
National Capital and surrender it to the
hordes led by JEFFERSON DAVIS? Is it be-
cause he has sought in accordance with the
solemn oath taken at his Inauguration to
maintain and defend the Republic?
Neither he nor his friends began this war.
No man ever sought with more solicitade to
accomplish an object, than did Mr.. LINCOLN
to avert the war. His inaugural address was
most eloquent and touching appeal for
peace. Who does not remember the solemn
and pathetic earnestness Of its closing pas
sages? In your hands," said he to those
who were threatening to destroy the Union,
after he had pointed out the madness and
evils of course so utterly unjustifable, " in
your hands is the momentous issue of civil
war. The Government will not assail you.
You ca, haye no conflict ogitbom being yourselves
the aqgreSso"s. You have no oath registered
in heaven to destroy the Government, while
| shall have the most solemn one to pre-
serve, protect and defend it,
Faithful to that pledge, he and his support
ers sought by every honorable means to con-
ciliate the disafected South, and to avert the
terrible calamity of civil war 1t was in
vain. The South reyoited. The national
authority was defed, its flag fired On, and its
Capital threatened. All this occurred before
a hostile measure was adopted or soldier
hy 4 ipic CT
tracted and bloody war has followed. Brave
men have fallen by thousands and many
widow and orphan has been made. But is
the guilt of the war to rest upon those who
sought to avert it, or on the bloody handed
traitors who forced it upon the country? And
what must be the character Of the man who,
protesting to be loyal to the Republic, seeks
to relieve the burden of guilt, the monstrous
bulk of which not any size Of words can cover,
from the perured miscreants who have taken
up arms to destroy the Union, and to place il
upon the brave and faithful President, who,
through unexampled difficulties and trials,
has steadfastly labored to defend and pre-
serve orr country?
No, il is not ABRAHAM LINCOLN who is the
widow maker. The traitors of the South and
their allies and sympathizers at the North are
the widow makers. Not alone the men who
are in arms to destroy the Union, but those
who encourage them and stimulate them with
sympathy and hope Of aid, must bear DOR
ton of this monstrous burden of incapable
guilt. What now sustains the rebel cause 4?
What feeds it with hope? Who Kisses in
the ear of its supporters: "Persevere don't