The mountain Democrat., 1864-01-02
What 10 = COpperh cad .

The Hon. Lew BlShop, oil Detroit, re
Gently gave the following plump answer
to the above question:
We often hear it said of Democrats, $,
"He's a Cupperhead, he's a bitter Cop
perhead, shun him. cut him, don't coun-
tenance him, don't associate with him,
don't trade with him, don't give him bu
SlneSs, ruin him, crush him, for he's an
invsterate COpperhead." Well. what is
. COpperheadP Our opponents are very
fond Of coming names which they imag-
me to be severe or opprobri0us. | re.
member how they got up the term Lo.
cofoco," and applied it by way of reproach
to Democrats and the Democratic party.
But they rubbed themselves a little too
closely against that term. The term re.
minds one Of useful domestic institution
which "goes off" by way of friction;
and our then political opponents soon
found that the political fire, enthusiasm,
and combustion, associated with the term
lOcO(OcO, were damaging to those who in
vented it rather than 10 those to whom it
was applied.
The abolitionists, ever conscious of the
just Odium into which they, their party,
their party platform and their political
noStrurDs have fallen, on account OF the
tremendous calamities they have Brought
upon the country, have engaged in the
dignified business Of coming OpprobrinuS
terms and applying them to all who will
not be led, or governed, or driven by their
ruinous tanaticiSm. The term - opprr,
head" is one Of their choicest cpithetS.-
To hear the marked emphasis with which
they pronounce il. one would imagine II
to Le the cardinal expression Of the age.
full Of pointed, well.dcfined, clear and
comprehensive Specification an express.
ion that told the whole story, carried ev.
cry political point, sIlenced every compet
itOr, vanquished every diSputant. and,
like charity, covered multitude of sins
in those who applied it.
But what does it mean? What is its
Specification = In what consists It's sever
ity or reproach? What does the "cril-
ter" mean when he. applies il! VINO
will give the answer
As generally applied and accepted,
take 1t TO mean sound national Demo
crat one whO loves the country, its Con-
stitution, its freedom, and its free in>utu.
tiOns one who would by all the means in
his power promote the fraterIal aud
friendly union of all the States, and the
people Of all the States, aud who is will
ing, ready, and determined to maintain
the Constitution and the Union in their
integrity, against all the assaults of Sc.
cesSion on the one hand and of abolition
on the other; one who eschews and de-
tests political abOlitiOnism IN all its pha-
SEES, in oil its cOrruptionS, and in ull its
uSurpatjons, and who deplores its bitter,
bloody, and destructive luitS.
In short, . "COpperhead" is man
who designs simply TO maintain our sys-
TEN Of free government as the fathers
founded it. as tIeir SUCCESSORS administer.
ed it, and as we and pOSterity are bound
by every motive of interest, patriotism
and honor to continue it. He still ad-
here's, as all Democrats adhere, to the old
fashioned constitutional Union Democra-
cy. He knows politically no North, no
South, no East, no West, and he opposes
whatever be finds to be destructive Of
that system OF free government, whether
found at the East. West, North, or South.
or if perched even in the presidential
chair at Washington. In this view,
most freely acknowledge myself firm,
determined. uncomprOmising. and il our
opponents please, most inveterate "Cop,
perhead."
1t iS sometimes said openly, and often
insinuated, ,thata COpperhead" or Dem,
Ocrat is in favor Of secession, is in favor
Of the rebellion, is in favor of a di>solu
ti0n of the Union, is in favor Of mnbs.
mob law, and mob violence; in favor of
the defeat Of the Union armies ami of the
disgrace Of the Union flag that he is
opposed to enliStmentS, opposed to neceS
sary taxation, opposed to raising necesSa
ry armies, opposed to the government,
and opposed to oil proper means and
agencies by which the Union and gov
ernment can be maintained. These are
calumnies-all caIumDieS-d deliberate and
willful and malignant calumnies.
A Democrat, or "COpperhead," if
you please, will sustain the GOVERNMENT
OF the United States under all circum-
stances. and, indeed, it is the very object
and motive Of Democratic action at the
present time to maintain the Government
against all who would destroy it, whether
North or South and at the same tiIne
DemOcrat,Or "COpperhead, if you please,
will oppose, with his influence. voice, and
vote, whatever policy he may regard as
pnwise, that may be pursued by the nj
miniStratOrs Of the Government for the
time being. and whatever action on their
part be may regard as unconstitutional,
Unwtse. or Illegal. A Democrat regards
and will continue to regard the ConStitu.
ton and framework of the Government
90 one thing which is to be maintained at