The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-09-01
The CepDerheads and the War.
A FAITHFUL PICTURE, By GEoseE DAwsos

.WAsHIseroS, August IAN editorial
correspondence Of the Albany Evening
Journal, says, tn Q coppsrheads Of to day
inherit the instincts of the worst class Of
Federalis:s of 1912. Like them, they are
untiring in their abuse Of those to whom
the people, have contidsd the task Of MAIN
aiming the honor and integrity ofiha "a.
lion, Like them, they pervert, distort and
misrepresent every act and measure of the
Administration; exagser the, public debt;
sympathize with the enemy; do what they
can to eDbarrass the Government; belttle
our victories and rejoice over our defeats,
The fendish exultstion which they mani
tested when the news reached them that
the assault of Saturday terminated in re.
pulse, was but one ola hundred illustra-
tions which they have given Of the "spirit
that moves them" They are only happy
when patriots mourn, and only. hope to rise
into power upon the broken columns of the
Republic.
They mark the progress Of the war, not
as pstriots but as partisans They deem
every victory misfortune aud every de-
feat an argument for, their restoration to
power. They are not only in sympathy
with the rebels, but they lean upon their
skill and prowess to insure them votes-
They may not have rejoiced over Grants
repulse last Saturday, simply becauseit in
volyed the sacrifice of life. They may not
yet have reached that point, when the she'd
ding Of Union blood is, of itself, pleasure
to them. But they rejoiced because they
hoped it would bring odium upon the Ad-
,ninistration; render inpatient men still
more impatient; elevate Mcclellan; weaken
the public confidence in the. reliability and
aud effiaiency Of negro troops; postpone
the, capture Of Richmond to dag beyond
the Presidential election, and inurs gener.
ally to the, benefit Of their party. They
have no other or higher standard Of patriot
ism or morality. { bns
This may seem to some harsh judg-
ment; but I appeal to every impartial OBJ
server of the developed tone and temper of
the copperhead press, il it be not judg-
ment based ON irrefragib'e sevidsnce, daily
furnished by the organs Of the coppsrhead
party. The daily prayer Of their hearts. II
not Of their lips. Is for the, discontinue II
not the defeat of our Generals for the es-
cape from serious disaster off, the rebels,
and for such imbe,ilityi And laundering on
the part ofthose who contol our military
movements - to oompel peace which
will ssinaussr>te the reign of,Sosthsrp men
snd Southern policies, and revive and per-
petaate the institution of slavery. Such .
peace they desire, and they rejoice at the
happening Of any event which 10 likely to
contribute to its oonsummatioa; and mourn
over whatever promises the, speedy. over
throw Of the rebels. and . peace which will
ultimate in placing the sacred impress Of
freedom upon every foot Of soil shsdowed
bylhe glorious old Flag OF the Union
They are asmuch worse than Ishmaelites
rs the life ofa nation isaio greater value
than thst ofan individual. Their hand Is
against their country, and sqnre their
prayers. 70 believe that pa lied by
such men, with such principles. sympathiss
and hopes, can carry the people with them,
is to believe that patriotism is : myth end
the principle Of free government an impract-
isahle abstraction. Their triumph would be
the triumph Of those in open rebellion; and
every vote. cast for them will be . blow
struck BY human rights and the integrity
and gisry Of the Union. f' ts sls SIS
IT. were sure that the people would be
fully aroused to the principles and purposes
Of the men who make merry over disaster
to our arms, would fear no such calamity
as . ooppethsad Victory anywhere. But
there is such . yearnins for peace such .
weariness Of strife and bloodshed, and such
dead Of cost and taxation, that Il win re-
quire immense labor. and constant appeals
to their national pride and latent patriotism,
to hold them up to the sublime VOL in
which the country is now engaged, viz /: Di-
rectiy, the vsstoration Of the Union, and in.
eidsneally, the compilation sfths xmk began