The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1864-07-23
Opposition TO THIS WAR THE
TEST OF DEMOCRACY.o

The above language We quote from the
Democratic Watchmans published in Jasper
county. Illinois. one of the bot-beds of
copperheadism. and We suppose the paper
is one of the mouth pieces of the notorious
Sheriff o'Hare, in an adjoining county.
We are glad to witness the throwing of
Of the mask, for some time worn, and a
frank acknowledgement on the part of the
traitor press, that 1.-The masses of the De-
mOcracy are, and ever have been. opposed
to the war, and that they must either take
decided stand in opposition to the war. or
be left out in the cold.'' When the press
speaks out in this manner, We know where
20 fad it.
In after years. when history. divested of
the passions and prejudice now existing,
shall record the simple truths of this gigan-
tic struggle, the country and the world will
be astounded at the wickedness and treason
that existed in great, free and Professedly
loyal States of this nation.
The Democrat. in our opinion, speaks
the truth when it says the masses of it's
party lever have been opposed to the war;
Ora. least opposed to any effort to suppress
the rebellion, else why no effort TO nip it in
the bud Before Abraham Lincoln, In 40.
cordance with the constitutionally express
ed will of the people, assumed the reins of
Government some niue or ten forts
were In the hands of rebels, besides arse
nails, custom house and mint at New Or
leans. Did these things mean war or was
it only boys playa game of ball a.? While
all this was going on, was there any declara-
ton of war on the part of the legally con-
stituted Government? On the contrary,
did il not seek to preserve peace ? Not un-
I'll other forts were taken, and Fort Sumter
fell, did the Government take hold with q
firm hand, to protect and defend the flag
under which North and South, until then,
were proud to marshal their forces against
foreign enemies. Then, grossly insulted
by those before protected beneath its folds,
could the friends of the Republic longer
endure the menacing attitude of the mar
tial columns, penetrating to within almost
stones throw of the archives of the ma
tion-lopger remain idle spectators, and al
low their destruction before their eyes
The civilized world will answer no.
The present is the most eventful period
in our history as nation, and demands the
honest and hearty efforts of every patriot
and friend of human happiness, to stay the
mad career of rebellion, both North and
South, against the Government of our faith,
ers, established after seven years. strug.
gle against the enemies of free republican
government.
To talk of opposition" to the war now
wagng, inaugurated. as every candid aud
honest man, whatever his peculiar partisan
motives in regard to governmental policy
in other respects, must admit, by the slave
ocracy of the South, for no other purpose
than to rear governmental structure whose
chief corner stone should be slavery, is bu
an acknowledgement of the righteousness
of their cause, and the injustice of any at
ten OF to maintain united nation, with one
government, one flag in word, one com
mon inheritance.
Whom the gods intend to destroy, they
| first make mad
/