Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-09-17
Henry Clay VS.. Seymour.

In his speech before the Chicago COnven-
ton, Gov. SEYMOUR, of New York, charged
the Republican party with the guilt of hay
lug drenched the country with blood and
overwhelmed it with debt.
The charge rests ON the assumption that
those who have resisted the blows of trait
ors, aimed at the nations life, are RESPONSE
BILE for all the cost in blood and treasure of
the war; that they who defend the Union
are guilty of causing the war, because, if re-
bellion and treason had been permitted to
riot in impunity, there would have been no
war. If no resistance had been made to the
operations of the Southern traitors, if Mr..
LINCOLN had adhered to the policy of Mr..
BUCHANAN, the rebel armies would have gone
on selzing forts, arsenals, and other United
States property including the National Cap
ital until their appetite for plumber was sati-
ated and we should have had peace-the
peace of national DEATH
The supporters of Gen. MCCLELLAN want
such a peace. Hence they denounce the
course of Mr.. LINCOLN. JEFF. DAVIS, in be-
half of the rebels, declared that all he want
ed was to be let alone. Mr.. LINCOLN will not
let rebellion alone and so the Democracy
mount MCCLELLAN on platform pledged to
"an immediate cessation of hostilities."--
They want the demand of the rebel leaders
obeyed, and that they should be let alone
while they consummate their attempt to de-
stroy the Republic.
We do not regard Gov. SEYMOUR as either
the wisest or most patriotic man that ever
lived. On the contrary, he has seemed to US,
from the beginning of the rebellion intent
not upon saving the Union, but in smooth,
Oily Cannon way, seeking to encourage and
comfort the cause of treason. And, as we
heard him charge the guilt of the present
war, and the responsibility for the blood that
has been shed and the mountains of treasure
that have been expended, upon those who
have most strenuously resisted the assaults
of the rebel arms, we were wildly reminded
of the contrast which his language presented
with the sentiments of man who was not a
demagogue and tory, but who was great
statesman and a true patriot. Listening to
the frothy venom of the COpperhead dema-
gogue, we thought of that noble utterance of
HENRY CLAY, replete with the spirit of genu-
inc patriotism "If any State, or portion
of the people of any State, choose to place
themselves in military array against the Gov
eminent of the Union, i am for trying tse
strength Of the Government. I am for asceT-
tanning a0letter ace haze Government or moi
practical, efficient, capable of maintain
ing its authority, and of unfolding the
powers and interests which belong to a
Government. Nor, SIR, AN TO BE ALARM
ED OR DISSUADED FROM ANY SUCH COURSE
BY INVITATIONS OF THE sPILLING OF BLOOD. If
blood Is to be spilled By sehose fault is Il? Upon
the supposition l maintain, IT WILL BE THE
FAULT OF THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO RAISE THE
STANDARD OF DIsUNI0N AND ENDEAv0R TO PROS
TRATE THIS GOVERNMENT, and, sir, when that
is done, so long as it pleases God to give me
a voice to express my sentiments, or an arm,
weak and enfeebled as it may be by age, that
voice and that arm will be on the side of my
country, for the support of the general au-
thority, and for the maintenance of the pow
ers of this Union"
Such is the difference between the Ian
guage of a Copperhead and the language of
a patriot-State .IourTcl