The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-18

~ The lcopperheads Of this county had their
Fcenvention at the Court lIoase on Saturday
presided over by j. Stuart of Adams
and two Secretaries Of whom A. NJ. Bonni
field was one 'srUye sf5 p rSgtT'' ~ .
The ostensible Soject Of the meeting was
to organize the party, At least NO said the
bids ard quite number of the member.
from different parts Of the county were pres
ent to do Il. 7s'tn e1'sa s'r SaTGs.
Sia Curiosity to know how SO difficult piece
ef business was done, and what appearance
tile party would present when duly organ
lied, induced us to inquire ST few specta
tors as 70 the modas epsraadi :. - - !,
resolutions, and while thew were out speech
es were called for, but none were Forthcoming
at this stage Of the proceedings. '@' ~"
80 A resolution, it seems, was finally offered
,bya member whose name we could no,
learn, to the effect that the Chicago Con
vention ought to nominate candidate upon
Peace Platform. This resolution was fol.
lowed by a spirited debate, participated in
ny Col. Geo. Gillaspy,p Maj. Temple, MIR.
sBriscoe, and the Chairman. The two for
mer gentlemen opposed the resolution on
the ground that such action On the part of
the party, in WapelIo would embarrass the
Chicago Convention! They maintained
that it would be dangerous at this early day
to commit the party to any line of policy !;
that It was impossible to say what would
happen IL the next few weeks; that Rich
mond, Atlanta, and for aught they knew,
New York might be taken, or uice veysa
and hence. they had better wait and see
what would turn up. II might be best TO
have peace platform. or it might be ncces.
sary TO take the, war shute.
The mover Of the resolution and the
Chairman, Stuart. didn't like this view of
the subject; thought move definate and
holder policy the more advisable, &c. Mr..
Briscoe'se speech seemed to lean admirably
to both sides Of Tie question, a very proper
course for Mr.. B. to take, inssmuch as he
may be candidate some day. Who knowss
r. The upshot of the matter, was, the reso-
luton was voted down, and the convention
resolved not to resolve at all i, The com.
mittee came in. hut Of course did not report,
and SO the copperhead party Of Wapelle
will watch and wait awhile on the Border. Of
peace and war. but ready to be one or the
other or neither, as current events may de-
termine. The only action taken by The con-
ventlon, 50 far as We could learn, was II
adoption Of resolution to organize the par
~ BY appointing central committee, but
IS the appointment of central committee
did not transpire, we are unprepared to say
st this writing whether the Copperhead
Party Of Wapello county is in an organized
or disorganized condition. ,.,r o,,,a"I
What spectacle did, these Copperheads
present. At time like this, when, their
country is heaving with conyulsion threat.
ening almost the existence Of society, they
meet and solemnly decided that they have
no position to take in reftrence to the great
contest now being wsged., They are afraid
to express any opinion, lest it might inter-
fere with the Chicago Convention! They
plainly intimate that they will be for peace
If our armies are defeated, but for war if
Ahey are victorious. They are ready to 90
with the current whichever way il may flow,
and wherever it may lead. Party success is
manifs.tly what they care most about
The organization Of such party, it seems
tn US, is the last business that ought 10 oc-
cupy the serious attention of human beings.
Organized or disorganlzed, it is a disgrace
to the country, to human nature and com.
mon sense, and this is the judgment that
will be pronounced upon it again BY the
American people at the ides of November.
Returns from all bat five counties in
nsylvania. show . majority for the con.
stitutionai amendment allowing soldiers to
vote, Of 9o,s4l. sar5q.