The Placer herald., 1864-01-09
WHAT is A COPPERHEAD3

ly gave the following plump answer to the
above question
We often hear it said Of Democrats, Hes
a Copperhead, he's bitter Copperhead, shun
hlm, cut him, don't countenance him. don't
associate with him, don't trade with him,
don't give him business, ruin him, crush him,
for he's an nveterate Copperhead." We'll,
what is Coppelhead! Our opponents are
very fond of coming names which they imag.
Inc to be severe or opprobrious. l remem-
Der how they got up the term 'Locofoco, and
applied it by way of reproach 20 Democrats
and the Democratic party. But they rub.
bed themselves a little too closely against
that term. The term reminds one of a use.
ful domestic Institution which "goes off" by
way Of friction; and our then political oppo,
nents soon found that the political fire, en-
thusasm, and combustion associated with
the term locofoco were damaging to those
who invented it rather than to those to
whom it applied.
The aboltioniss, ever conscious of the Just
odlum into which they, their party, their
party platform and their political nosrums
have fallen, on account of the tremendous
calamiies they have brought upon the coun-
try, have engaged in the dgnified business
OF coming opprobous terms and applying
them to all who will not be led, or governed
or driven by their runous fanaticisln. The
term "Copperhead" is one Of their choicest
epithets. To hear the marked emphasis
with which they pronounce it, one would
Imagine 1t to be the cardinal expression Of
the age. full of pointed, well-detined, clear
and comprehensive signitication; an express
sion that told the whole story, carried every
political point, sIenced every competitor,
vanquished every disputant, and like chali
ty, covered multitude of sins 10 those who
applied it.
But wha. does it mean? What is its
Specification In what consists its severity
Or repro chi What does the "critter"
mean when he applied it Who will give
tue answer?
AS generally applied and accepted, take
1t to mean sound national Democrat; one
who loves the country, its Constitution, its
freedom, and It's free institutions; one who
would by all the means in his power p,o.
mote the fraternal and friendly union of all
the States, and the people of all the States,
and who is willing, ready, and determined
to maintain the Constitution and the Union
| IA thSh ihtcSlNN, dSdlESl lue assaults Oh
secession on the one hand and of abolition
on the other; one who eschews and detesis
political aboIilionsm in all its phases, in all
its corruptions, and in all its usurpatons,
and who depores its bitter, bloody, and des.
tructive fruits.
In short, "Copperhead" is man who
designs simply to maintain our system of
free government as the fathers founded it,
as their successors administered it, and as
we and posterly are bound by every motive
of interest, patriotism and honor to con tin
ne it. He still adheres, as all democrats ad
here, 10 the old fashioned constitutional
Union Democracy. He knows politically
no North, no South, no East 20 West, and
he opposes whatever he finds to be Gesruct-
i've of that system of free government
whether found at the East, West, North, or
| South, or if perched even in the Presiden a
chair at Washington. In this view, must
freely acknowledge myself firm determined
uncompromising, and ifo IT opponents please,
a most inveterale "Copperhead."
1t is sometimes said openly, and often in
sinuated, that "Copperhead" or Democrat
it in favor Of secession, is in favor of rebel
lion, is in favor Of dissolution of the
Union, is in favor Of mohs, mob law, and
mob violence; in favor of the defeat Of the
Union armies and of the disgrace of the
Union flag; that he is opposed to enIistments,
opposed TO necessary taxation, opposed TO
raising necessary armies, opposed to the
government, and opposed to all proper
means and agencies by which the Union and
government can be maintained These are
calumnies--a Observation-Disclosures and
wllfnl and malignant calumnies.
A Democrat, or a "Copperhead," if you
please, will sustain the GOVERNMENT of the
United States under all circumstances, and,
indeed, it is the very obi ject and motive of
Democratic action at the present time to
main cain the Government against all who
would destroy it, whether North or South;
and at the same time, a Democrat, or "Cop
perhead," if you please, will oppose, with
bis influence, voice. and vote, whatever poll
cy he may regard as unwise, that may be
pursued by The administrators of the Gov
ernment for the time being, and whatever
action on their past he may regard as un-
constitutional unwise, or Illegal. A Demo
crat regards and will continue to regard the
Constitution and framework of the Govern,
ment AS one thing which is to be maintained
at all hazards at whatever cost and by any
sacrifice; and at the same time he regards
and will continue to regard the present ad-
miuistrators of the Government, that is to
say, Abraham Lincoln and his cabinet Off
GERS, and his and their subordnates and in
instruments, as very different thing, to be
opposed at pleasure, TO be resisted when they
overstep the law of the land, and to he
expeled from office and power at the first
opportunity.
A Democrat, or ''Copperhead' if You
please, is in favor of an honorable peace,
based on a complete restoration of the
Union, under the Constitution, as it wes
framed and handed down to US 10y the faith,
ers, and to this end he would make the ene-