American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-08-31

% tle bONCEHiHtHJ.
rour years ago, at this period of the
contest We had an active, working organ
ization in every district Of this county,
and enthusiasm was working up TO fever
heat. We had acounty club, ward clubs,
and township clubs, with frequent meet
ings and public speaking; and the result
was seen in the ten thousand majority We
gave to Lincoln and Hamlin.
We cannot, Of course, in the midst OF
a war, effect repetition of that campaign,
but it is not unreasonable to look for some
evidences of political life and interest
The enthusiasm, just now, appears to
be all on the Copperhead side. There is
alwaysto be sure, more of that feeling in a
party out of power than in the party that
holds possession The one is anxious to
get in, while the other feels the security
which possession naturally gives. Still,
as it is certain that we will have to have a
struggle for the retention of power we
must not let the sense Of security deceive
us into neglecting the necessary prepara-
tions for resisting Tie assaults of the en-
emy.
The pending struggle is not mere con
test for power-for the offices and patron
age Of the National Government. 1t has
far higher aims and purposes. The great
question at issue is whether we shall con-
ouer the Rebels or submit to them. The
Government is for conqueriug them /;
the Coppcrheads for submitting to them.
Strip off all DISCUSSES and that is the max
ed issue. The Copperheads will deny it,
of course, and try to give it another and
more plausible shape; but no one doubts
that if theyarc permitted toreturn topow-
er they will conccdc to jeff Davis all he
asks.
This being the case, the political con-
test assumes much better shape than
any mere struggle for spoils 1t is fight
for maintaining the integrity of the Gov
ernment, enforcing its authority, restor-
ing the Union and securing the triumph
of Right, Justice and Freedom. Such an
exalted object should inspirit our friends
with a hearty zeal, active and energetic
enough to put down all opposition.
That our people feel intensely the i'm
portance of defeating the Copperheads,
we have no doubt. All that is wanted to
secure full turnout at the polls is or
neutrality-suspicious. with life and
work in it. And it is high time that the
work of organization was begun.
1t will dcvolve upon the County Ex-
ocutivc Committee to begin and carry
forward this work. That Committee
should have daily meetings, hencefOnh
and give its undivided attention to the
task imposed upon it by the necessities
of the occasion. The people are just
now eugrossed with the business of fill
ing their quotas under the draft; but
that will soon be over, and in the mean
time the County Committee can give its
care to the necessary preliminary Of 10.
cal organization.
We invoke the earnest attention Of the
members Of that Committee 10 this mat
ter, Upon them rests the responsibility
of attending to it promptly. We must
not let Allegheny county fall behind her
former vote. II must not be said of her
that she did better in 1860 than in 1864,
We had devotion to the great cause of
Freedom to urge us on then; we have
the additional influence of Patriotism,
now. Then we were fighting to get the
Government right now we are fighting
to heep it right, and give effectual tri-
umph to the principles We contcnded for
then. We have every motive, therefore
to make us accomplish more this year
than we did in that, we shall be faithless
to our trust if We do not.--PiHS. Gaz.