Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-02-26

Hon. LEYf DtSHoP, OF DETROIT, htchttaut eNNS
the following definition Of copperhead. N
speech in a late political campaign in that State.
Hon Law BisHoP is eloquent, able and dis
,inguished advocate of the rights OF the people,
ard does not get frightened by epithets. as the
following plump answer to this question will
show:
We often hear It said of Democrats. Hes
copperhead. he's bitter cDpperhead. shun him,
cut him. don't countenance him, don't associate
with him. don't trade with him. don't give him
business, ruin him. crush him. for he is an iuvet
crate copperhead." Well. What ~ copperheadf
Our opponents are very fond of coming names.
which they imagine 20 be severe or opprohriouS
/ remember how they got up the term locoioco,
and applied it BY way VI reproaeh 10 Democrats
and the Democratic party. But they rubbed
themselves n little too closely against that term
That term reminds one OF useful domestic III
stitution which goes or by way OF friction.
and our then political opponents soon found that
the political, enthusiasm. and combustion. asso
ciated with the term locofoco. were damaging to
those who invented il, rather than to those 10
whom il vas applied
The abolitionists ever conscious of the just
odium into which they. their party. their party
platform aud their political nOstrnms have fallen.
on account of the tremendous calamIties they
the digDihei business OF coming approbrious
terms aud APPLYING them to all who will not be
led, or governed, or driven by their runous Ia
naticism The term "copperhead Is one OF
their choicest epithets. To hear the marked
emphasis with which they pronounce II, one wouid
imagine il to be the cardinal expression OF the
the age full pointed. well defined. clear and com
progressive signi6cation; an expression that told
the whole story, carried every political poInt,
all. matt nd Shp
dsputant and. like charity, covered u multitude
OF sins in those who apply il.
. Hut v n a. does il mean7 What is its signih-
eation7 Ia what consists its severity, It's re-
ptoach? What does the crtter mean when he
sppes itf Who will give the answer IA gen
orally applied and accepted. take it 90 meal a
sound national Democrat: Que who loves his
country its Constitution, It's freedom and is free
institutions: one Who would. by NIL means in his
power promote the fraternal aud friendly Union
Of all the States aud the people OF all the States,
and who i willing. ready and determined TO
maintain the Constitution aud the Union IN Their
integrity against all assaults. one who eschews
and de,ests political aboionstn IN all its phases.
in all lis conceptions and who deplores It's bitter.
bloody and destructive FRUITS
In Short. a "copperhead" is a man who de-
signs simply 10 ntintiin our system OF free gov
ernment as our fathers founded il. as their sue
ce,sors administered IT, and and 20 sterity
are bound by every motive OF interest, patriotism
aud honor To continue IL lie still adheres. n
every Democrat should adhere. 20 the good old
fashioned constitutional Union Democracy lie
knows, politically. no North M South, no r 81
no West, aud he opposes whatever he tinds To DC
destructive To that svsiem 81 free government
whether found at the 1T. West. North or South
or if perched upln the Presidential chair 1T ash
inston. In this view | most freely acknowledge
a firm determined. uncompromising, and II oui
opponents please. most inveterate copper
head"
In il sometimes said openly. and often inSinua
ted that ''copperhead." or Democrat, Is II
favor of secession. l. in favor OF rebellion, Is II
favor of adissolution of the Union. - IN favor o
MODS, mob law and mob violence; in favor oi ths
defeat of the Union armies and of the disgrace o
the Union flag: that he is oppo~ei TO the enlist
menis, opposed 10 necessary taxation. opposed e
tasinc necesSa aimies. opposed To the govern
ment and opposed 20 all proper means and agen
cies by which the Union aud the government Cat
be maintained. THESE are calumnies ali ealum
nies-,ieliberate. willful snd malignant calum
mics.
A Democrat. or n "copperhead. if you please
will .ust,in the Government of the Unit q State
under all circumstances. and indee IL j. the yer,
object and motive OF the Democratic action, a
the present time. Ia maintain the GoVernmen
against all who would destroy il. whether Norti
or South: and At the same time. Democrat. o
"copperhead" if YOU please. will oppose ~iti
his influence. voice and vote. whatever policy h'
may regard a. uRNise. that may be pursued ol
the Administration OF the Government TOR th,
time being. and whatever action ON Their part h.
nav regard a. unconstitutional. unWlse. or lille
gal A Demacra. regards. and will continue L
regard the framework Of the Government as on
thing which is TO be m,intaned At ali haI'rds, a
whatever cost and by Whatever sacrihees: and a
the same time he regards and will continue &
regard the present administrators of the Govern
ment-thl. j. 10 ssy. Abraham Lincoln snd NJ
Csbinet officers. and MS and their subordinate
and ins,rumenls-as a very different thing. TO b
opposed 81 pleasure. TO be resisted when the
oxerstep the law of the land. and TO be exrelle
from Office and power al the frst opportunity