Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-08-27
Who are the Wldow-Makers!

| A scurrilous newspaper in this State which
devotes such portions of its reading columns
as are not filed with obscene jokes and smut
! ty stories to the diffusion of copperhead
sentiments, felicitates itself upon having ad-
ded the epithet of widow-maker" to the
general stock of Opprobious names which the
Northern sympathizers with the cause of trea-
son and rebellion apply to the President of
the United States.
| 1t has observed the term employed by some
| of it's Democratic. exchanges, and it wants it
expressly understood that the credit of hav-
ing originated the phrase belongs to it and it
| alone. Doubtless the Editor thinks that in
the event of the election of Copperhead
| President, some specially fat sinecure would
be reserved for the man whose genius devils
ed the name of widow-makern for Mr.,
| LINCOLN.
In the meantime, however, let us see what
pertinence there is in the epithet. How is
Mr.. LINCOLN a widow maker? Is it because
he has resisted the armed and aggressive
treason of the Southern States? Is it be-
cause he has refused to withdraw from the
National Capital and surrender it to the
hordes led by JEFFERSON DAVIS? Is it be-
cause he has sought in accordance with the
solemn oath taken at his Inauguration to
maintain and defend the Republic?
Neither he nor his friends began this war;
No man ever sought with more solicitude to
accomplish an object, than did Mr.. LINCOLN
to avert the war. His inaugural address was
most eloquent and touching appeal for
peace. Who does not remember the solemn
and pathetic earnestness of its closing pas
ssges ain your hands," said he to those
who were threatening to destroy the Union,
after he had pointed out the madness and
evils of course so utterly unjusti6able, :" in
your hands is the momentous issue of civil
war. The Government will not assail you.
You can haze no conflict witltoatt being yourselves
the aggressorS. You have no oath registered
in heaven to destroy the Government, while
/ shall have the most solemn one to pre-
serve, protect and defend it," +, ..sf
Faithful to that pledge, he and his support
ers sought by every honorable means to con-
ciliate the disaffected South, and to avert the
terrible calamity Of civil war. 1t was in
vain. The South revolted. The national
authority was defed, its flag fred on, and its
Capital threatened. All this occurred before
hostile measure was adopted or a soldier
called for by the Administration. pro-
tracted and bloody war has followed. Brave |
men have fallen by thousands, and many
widow and orphan has been made. But is |
the guilt of the war to rest upon those who |
sought to avert it, or on the bloody-handed |
traitors who forced it upon the country? And |
what must be the character of the man who, |
processing to be loyal to the Republic, seeks /
to relieve the burden of guilt, the monstrous
bulk of which not any size Of words can cover,
from the perjured msereants who have taken
up arms to destroy the Union, and to place it
upon the brave and faithful President, who,
through unexampled difficulties and trials,
has steadfastly labored to defend and pre-
serve our country?
No, it Is not ABRAHAM LINCOLN who is the
widow maker. The traitors of the South and
their allies and sympathizers at the North are
the widow.makers. Not alone the men who
are in arms to destroy the Union, but those
who encourage them and stimulate them with
and hope of aid, must bear por-
ion of this monstrous burden of incapable
guilt. What now sustains the rebel cause ?. |
What feeds it with hope? Who Kisses in
he ear Of its supporters: "Persevere; don't !