The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1864-04-15

IN three months we nave seen a trAulOrlna-
ton. Politics are not in 1864 what in 1868
they were. Early IN 1864 arevolution began
which far-sighted men have long known as
and which, with all true friends
of the Republic, we welcome. 1t is revolu-
converystisrzri in the y mon party.
Whom the war began conssrvatism had
the support Of majority. distinction was
carefully made between ebellion and slavery,
and no pains were spared to assure the world
that the rebellion had nothing 70 do with
slavery. The war was supposed to have no
connection with abolition; it was at once to
restore the uxion to peace, ana Stockholders
TO power. Our generals rssughed to power.
Our generals returned slaves to their mas
tiers, and issued proolamations assuring re-
bols that their properly would be pro-
tected BY loyal soldiers, Negroes were ex-
eluded from our lines Many Of the peo-
pie Of the North cursed them as the Innocent
cause Of all our troubles, and lamented that
ever o black man. had trodden American
ground. The building up of Southern power
and wealth and of Northern commerce by ne
gro labor was forgotten - We ~had-not all
learned then that it was not the black man
who caused our miseries, bat the black slave,
and more than the black slave the whitemas-
ter. Thus for while the war went lirnping.
and the people blindly, and conservatism
ruled
The Emancipation Proclamation was the
first act of the Administration that placed
the war on the true basis. It affirmed that
slavery had all to do with the rebellion; that
abolition had much--very. much--to do with
the war; that the Union could only be re-
stored to peace by depriYing shareholders of
power. Even before it was issued the people
had learned these truths, and Conservatism
had begun to lose ground rapidly; and the
Emancipation proclamation was received with
enthusiasm, because it was desired with ear
nestness. Since that day the war has ceased
to limp. 1t is no longer merely war Of can
non against cannon, but Of principle againat
principle good against evil. It has been the
more and more successful, as it has been the
more inspired. Necessarily arising out of tn,
proclamation came the arming Of colored sol
dlers, the injury to the system by which tn,
rebel armies were led and clothed, the resto
ration Of Arkansas and Louisiana, and an i'm
nense change in the popular opinion of othe,
nations in favor of the Government. Ever,
one of these great advantages was q yictsr!
over conservatism. -,e~,
n ~ h
irresistible advance of national common sens
in three years Of war from majority to
minority, was not killed. !. should be, AM
it will DO slain. Everywhere it opposes tn
people. In Missouri it has been 3 perpetua
trOusle; it IS all thar keeps back Kentucky
aud were it not ior the radiea,ism Of Eas
Tennessee 5hst State would have q 5,in NOR
stormy iaturc. 1t has kept pro-sIaye.y ger
erals III command, and wa. ted many month";
millions Ct dollars, and thousands Of lives
Ii has stood in the plain path of duty upo
which the Administration has advanced, an
opposed every step it has taken. To-day
opposes it. The sun is not more bright an
clear than the truth that the Administrative
has trinmphed over all our enemies by tn
power of radicalism alone. That has bee
the onward movement. Radicalism is ii
giant that has wen the victories, and conse
vatism the burden he has carried. The ma
who has enough brain and conscience
think impartially must know that in a rev
luton such as this, greater than the civ
wars Of England, or the revolution of Franc
the temporizer and the local politician are
children struggling with an earthquake.
The very soul Of this struggle is absolute c
position, and to pronisei!sissues is L
only absurd but impossible.
For the success o. Copperheadism, cons
vatism in the Union party is responsible, a
il, in the coming election, any State is CT
ried by the Opposition, we shall blame &C
servatism alone. Last fall the whole Nor
sustained the Administration, with the e
eeption of New Jersey. The defeat in til
State was altogether due to the long-conti
ued influence of haG-earnest Union men.
The intrinsic power of the Opposition we
not dread. If now there is any division
the Union party. it is because Of the folly
men who say to the sea, ''Thus far shall Y
go, and no further" of the weakness of m
who are afraid of the strength Of the peop
But war for existence cannot be saddled q
bridled, and ridden by pigmy. Bucephal
can be governed by Alexander alone. I
American people are not rash. but they
not afraid; the conservatives are alwi
afraid. 1.-THE Border States will be los
they cry, and in answer to this poor ap .lC
for all kinds of concession, Arkansas is sal
by an anti-slayery Constitution adopted
her own citizens Was Maryland redeem
by Conservatives We think not. All Il
has been wen, has been won by the men
progress.
Now, when we remember what we owe
this timid policy which has 50 long oppo
the people and embarrassed the Admin
ton, we are not surprised at the reyolut
against it. 1t is q revolution which e,
shakes the Opposition, and threatens to
stroy that party. But with II we are
concerned. Iris enough that the men '
have recently regretted and retarded the