The Portland daily press., 1864-07-22
War and Peace Democrats.


The Democratic papers, In anticipation Of
what the coming Chicago Convention will do,
are hard at work to convince their readers
shatthe war and peace democrats are whisiling
through the same quill, aud playing the same
tune. The Argus is especially anxious that
the distinction between these politicians should
NO. only be ignored, but entirely lost sight Of
As matter OF policy and political strategy,
they do we'll TO foster and encourage such
belief, for the Jameson wing OF the party In
this State still lives, or many members Of 1t,
and may do them great injury at our next
State and Presidential elections. True, this
wing has lost some OF Its fair plumage, and
therefore cannot soar quite SO high in the
pure atmosphere Of patriotism as Il did some
wear or two ago, but there are yet some
feathers left which can lift 1t from the earth
into higher and more loyal region. The
eopperhead journals would fain make their
readers believe that the distinction is without
difference, but the fact Is not so, and our
anxious contemporary viii ind 1t out next au-
tumn.
All true war democrats have not yet for
saken their party. They hold on with the
hope that loyalty to the government ia this
Its hour Of severe trial, and purer patriotism
--,ne far elevated above mere partisan preju-
dice and feeiing-wil yet control.the councils
OF this once respectable and powerful political
Organization. The time Is fast approaching,
We apprehend, when these loyal men will find
tad oh md
treacherous foundation. There Is an element
at work In the party that Is gaining power
every day, and it viii yet become the master
spirit and rule the Chicago Convention; and
that ID the yallandigham-Wood element II
shouts for peace at any price.
These cunning leaders and quasi traitors
Judge others by themselves. Looking into
their own hearts andi finding nothing there
bat love of pelf and power, they imagine that
others are governed By the same motives; but
we think they mlsjudge, at least, so far as
many members Of the Democratic party are
concerned. They know very well that polit-
ical prejudice and party feeling 90 great
way In controlling the opinions of men; also
that they can blind the eyes Of many, and
keep them IN the traces BY pretended advo
caey of the Union aud the Constitution, and
that the more intelligent of the party are as
corrupt as themselves.
Now here Is the rock on which they will
make wreck Of the old Democratic ship
thxs sailed along over the troubled sea OF pol
itics 30 stately and so triumphanily In days
gone By. Intelligent Democrats. who read
for themselves and make up their own opin-
ions, and whose hearts cherish love for the
Old Flag that has given our government pres
tige and power among all the civilized nations
OF the earth, can never be induced to mount
the peace platform these demagogues are
busily constructing for them, nor be made 10
believe III the divine right Of holding human
beings 10 bondsge. Such intelligent, patriotic
Democrats will leave the party just Is soon
as slavery and peace platform shall be con-
structsd.
The time has gone By when old political
wire-puIlers can make honest Democrats
dance like puppets. The times have changed,
and men also have changed. Floods OF light
have been poured upon subjects which were
once shrouded Ia darkness, and Truth nos
stands out unveiled, bright and powerful
The moral sense, the eoosciences OF men,
have bsen stirred TO their profoundest depths,
and the evils Of human slavery, aud the enor-
nous siu Of rebellion against q government
that has always protected life and liberty, are
seen Ia light Is clear as 4 sunbeam. OId
prejudices. old party feelings and long cher
ished ideas have yielded 10 better and more
enlightened influences. Old cobwebs are
brushed away, old rnts filed up and obiitera-
ted, aud new channels Of thought opened
And what Is better still, the public heart 10
1lied wit the love OF country which has now
become u passion, aud no mere party prepos-
sessions, however strong they may have been
can resist It's impulses.
La times Of peace, when ones country and
government are not endangered by foes with
DUB or foes within-when men are intent on
their business or pleasure, and the Ship OF
State Is sailing along over smooth sea, patri-
otism is more or less dormant; but when the
national flag is iGsulted By foreign foe, or
spit upon and pied under rebel feet, then
the spirit of patriotism ID aroused In the hearts
of all good citizens, and political demagogues
have less chance of making proseiytas 10 an
unhoy cause All these things will work to-
gether for our counlry's good.
That there have been two factions 10 the
Democratic party there can be no doubt, and
that division still exists TO come extent
True, these factions have hitherto managed to
blow hot and cold, aud with some degree Of
success, but Vallandigham, Wood & &c, now
demand an unconditional surrender Of their
opponents. We confess they hare a more
sharpl, defined policy than the other wing,
and that gives them 40 advantage which they
will not fail 10 Improve. Their superior tact
and rigilsnsc via, tell on members of the
coming conveatics
The war dsmoersts s'so still keep within
fie charmed circle of the pzrss,- are not out
spokea eGough. They cringe, shrink o. X and
present saS th'ng but a bold 'front.' This 3