Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-04-09
x,,nus;n.m orNew Converts.

1t is scarcely necessary to mention fact
that could not have escaped the notice OF
even the least observing, to-wit: that new
converts arc always the most enthusiastic OF
disciples; and certainly words need not be
wasted in proving proposition about
which there can be no dispute and in view
of this it is not surprising that, just at this
moment, the Copperheads have thrown their
whole soul into the cause of free speech.
The more hardened the sinner, the more in
tencc his devotion to the cause of right
eousness, the moment he is converted from
the error of his ways, and permitted to see
the light.
Copperheads, and devotees of slavery,
have hi:her to been awful sinners the ''chief
among ten Thousands" though not "altogctb.
er lovely" in their dealings with men who
differed from them in their political views.
We recolect not many years since, that an
Indianian was arrested and imprisoned in
Columbia South Carolina, merely because
of making inquiries relative to the popula-
tion and resources of the various counties,
and because he had in his possession docu-
ment written to exhibit the injustice of the
system of representation in the South Caro-
Legislature. lie explained to the chivalry
that he was merely collecting material for u
! Gazetteer, but they suspected him of hostil-
ity to their 'institu.ionn and imprisoned
him, and other Wise treated him SO harshly,
that he lived but few months after bis re-
lease.
We might ill volume with such in
stances; but we have only room for few
Of the principal ones. Without our memory
and also that of most of our readers
and certainly within that of Senator
Powelll-kausas WAS on several occasions
overrun by bands of rutiians her citizens
driven from the polls and minions Of the
mob placed in ctlice yet neither the Sena
tor in question, nor any who are now active
copperheads saw anything wrong indeed
they generally rcioiced at the successful
overthrow of the elective franchise in thai
distracted territory If Senator Powell''
! feelings were narrowed by these outrages
he managed to overcome them, and keep
silent.
| Again: How frequently have Cassius NJ
! Clay and his friends, been mobbcd in Ken
! tucky2 and yet when did Lazarus Powell
| raise his voice in behalf of these pcrsecutcC
opponents of slaveryl When did any o
| his party protest against the violation o
the freedom of speech and the pressi Sup
pose in 1856, a citizen of Mr.. powcll's owl
! town had offered to vote for Fremont doe
any one believe he would have been allowed
to do SO would Mr. Powell have Stepped
forth then MS the champion Of free elections
A discriminating public can readily answc
these interrogatories.
The conversion of the Copperheads, ar'
their devotion to free speech, free press
and Il free ballot, is remari<al lc but villa
is even more remarkable, is the fact thar
only came, when traitors were hushed, o
disttanchiscG, or when spies were conyiclc,
and sentenced. With all their devotion
to liberty, We have never heard them ente
protest against The siienciug Of Uniou me
in the South, or against the systematic pei
sccution to which they have been 50 ion
subject Have you tears only for traitor:
gentlrmen.--NdSaciUe Union