Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1864-03-18

What marvellous change has four shor
years wrought 10 the political status Of thi
country. Then, while secession WAS yet j,
embryo, and before the foul thing had burs
its covering and appeared before the world il
oil its horrid deformity, We had two grea
political parties divided on peaceful issus
affecting the interests Of the government and
the governed. Men differed widely and rad
ically in their political faith, but they wer,
honest, and all sought tho welfare and perpe
tuity Of the Union,-if we except the slav'
aristocrats Of the South, who have been plot
ting treason for the last half century. Will
the rank and Rle Of the two great politica
parties, especially through the North, the ul
innate end to bs attained was the same, viz.
the happiness and prosperity Of the people
though they differed a. to the best and mos
polite course to be pursued in reaching tina
end. And although fierce political storm.
oftimes rolled over the country, they did u,
no injury, but on the contrary had good Of
feet, for they tended to purify the politica
atmosphere, prevent stagnation, and invigor
ate and strengthen the government.
But the South in IN evil hour attempted Il
throw OF its allegiance, raised her parricidial
hand against the Nation. when, lol presto
change. In moment, as it were, old issue.
became obsolete, and Of no practical effect
and in their places appeared single issue,
more vast and momentous, more fearful to
contemplate, and more uncertain in its re.
suits, than any ever before forced upon on,
people. Whether he would or not, every
man was obliged to take his stand on one
side or the other Of this new order ofthings,
there was no neutral ground, he that was
not for US was against us. Under the new
state Of affairs there was nothing to prevent
harmonious and united action on the part OF
al true men, no matter what had heretofore
been Their political differences. No one was
called on 10 renouncs or concede anything at
variance with his former political principles.
All that Was asked was that men would stand
by the Union and its laws. This was the
new issue suddenly sprung, and one upon
which men Of all political parties could stand
unembsrrassed, unfettered, and not in any.
way affected BY past par,isanship. And it
was glorious sight to see the old political
war. horses cast aside the shackles Of psrti.
sanship, and standing side by side, those
who had battled for . lifetime, strike hands
ono With another for the rescue Of their i'm
perilled country.
And so il is to-day. There is but one is.
sue now before the people. and that is, Shall
the Union be preserved, or shall We allow
it to be destroyed? This is the only nation
al question of any importance before the peo-
pie At this tint, -eveIy other issue il secon-
Diary and tributary to this. And yet, plain
as it seems, there are many who do.not seem
to realize it. While they vehemently persist
that their sympathes are oil with the Fede.
raj Government, yet they arc continually
springing little petty side issues, to divide the
people, and create discussions among men
who should be cordially united. This is not
the part Of = patriot, and it is tho duty of
every man to give no couatenance to these
political trickstcrs, who, in nine cases out Of
ten, are laboring more for their own personal
aggrandizement than for the good Of the
country. United We stand. divided VIC fall
IF the North would be successful in this war,
its people must present United front to the
enemy.
We are about entering on Presidential
under circumstances which never,
in the history of this country, attended .
similar event. The ~omines Of the Baltimore
CONVENTION in June next, whoever he shall
be, viii be the choice OF the loyal men of the
North, irrespective Of party, and for him We
ask the votes Of all Union men. Men may
differ, and honestly, on questions of public
interest growing out Of this war.-on finance,
reconstruction, military policy, &C., &C.,
but after all, what do these minor points
amount to in case the Union is not saved? The
enc great, paramount, all.important question
is yet to be determined. Let us solve that
first. and then, il the result is satisfactory,
we can divide of into political parties, ~
heretofore. and regulate the policy 10 be pur-
sued BY the government
Men Of tho North, do not stop to bubble
and wrangls among yourselves while the
monster secession is sucking the life. blood Of
the Nation. Do not listen 10 party dema.
gogues and political hypocritcs, who would
divert your attention for their own unhallow.
ed purposes, but rescue your country FIRST,
and then settle your private differences.
Vallandigham, from his home across tho
border, has written letter of coincidence to
the proprietor of the Day ton (Ohio) Empire.
. print after his own heart, which was TO.
A.