Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-02-29

Hon. LEVI BIsHoP, of Detroit, Michigan gave
the following definition of copperhead. in a
speech in a late political campaign in that State
tinguishel advocate of the rights OF the people,
aud does not get frightened by epithets. as the
following plump answer to this question will
show:
We often hear it said of Democrats, Hes a
copperhedd, he's biuer c"pperhead, shun him,
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 is an invet
crate copperhead." Well what is a copperhead?
| Our opponents are very fond of coming names,
which they imagine To be severe or opprobrious.
| | remember how they got up the term locofoco,
ami applied it by way OF reproach TO Democrats
and the Democratic party But they rubbed
themselves little too closely against that term.
! That term reminds one of useful domestic in
stituton, which "goes or by way of friction,
and our then political opponents found that
the political, enthusiasm. AMI combustion. aSso
ciated with the term loco!oco were damaging to
those who invented it, rather than 10 those TO
whom it was applied
The abolitionisis, ever conscious Of the Just
odium into which they. their party. their party
platform and their political nOstrums have fallen,
on account of the tremendous calamities they
have brought upon the country. have engaged in
| the diguifiei business of coming approbrious
terms and applying them to all who will not be
led. or governed. or driven by their ruinous ia
naticism The term "copperhead" is one of
their choicest epithets To hear the marked
emphasis with which they pronounce IL, one would
imagine it to be the cardinal expression of the
the age, full pointed, well defined, clear and com
prehensive signihcaton: expression that told
| the whole story. carried every political point,
silenced every competitor, and yanquislleJ every
disputaut, and. like charity, covered multitude
of sins in those vino apply it..
But What does il mean9 What is its signif-
catiOnf IN what consists its severity, its re-
pIoachT What does the critter mean when he
applies i'll Who will give the answer A. gen
orally applied and accepted. | take il to NEAL
sound national Democrat: one who loves his
country, its Constitution. its freedom ana It's free
institutions; one who would, by all means in his
power. PROMISE the irrternal aud friendly Union
of all the States and the people of all the States,
and who is willing, ready and determined to
maintain the Constitution aud the Union in their
! integrity against all assaults. Que who eschews
and detests political abofiOnism in all its phases
in all its corruptions, and who deplores its bitter
bloody and destructive fruits.
In short. "cUpperheld' is man who de-
signs simply to mrinrain our system of free gov
eminent our fithers founded it. their
cessors administered it. and a. we and po,terty
are bound by every motive of interest, patriotism
aud honor continue il tie still adheres. as
every Democrat should adhere, to the good old
fashioned constitutional Union Democracy. He
knows, politically, no North, no South, no East,
no West, aud he opposes whatever he finds to he
destructive to that system of free government,
whether found at the Z ,st, West, North or South;
or if perched upon the Presidential chair at Wash
| ington. Tn this view | most freely acknow ledge
a firm, determined, Incorporating, and if our
opponents please. u most inyeierate "copper"
head"
1t is sometimes said openly, and often insinua
ted that comprehend or Democrat, is in
favor Of secession. Is in favor OF rebellion, is in
favor of 4 dissolution Of the Union. is in favor Of
mobs mob law aud mob violence; in favor oil the
defeat of the Union armies and of the disgrace Of
the Union flag; that he is opposed to the enlist
ments, opposed TO necessary taxation, opposed to
raising Necessary armies. opposed TO the govern
ment, and opposed to all proper means and agen-
cies by which the Union and the government eau
be maintained These are calumnies all calum
nies-deliberate, willful and malignant calum-
MES
A Democrat, or "copperhead.' ify you please.
w,ll sustain the Government OF the Unit d States
under all circumstances and indeed II is the very
object and motive of the Democratic action, at
| the present time, to maintain the Government
against all who would destroy it, whether North
or South, aud at the same time. a Democrat, or
a "copperhead," If you please, will oppose with
his influence. voice and vote, whatever policy be
may regard uuwise. that may be pursued by
the Administration of the Government for the
time being, and whatever action ON their part he
'fnay regard unconstitutional. unwise. or lille
gal. A Democrat regards. and will continue to
regard the framework OF the Government as one
thing which is to be maintained ut all hazards, at