The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1864-10-14
A PLEA FOR THE COPPERHEADs.
By q True Union Man,


1t is possible that the title of this writing
may give offense TO many who glory in the
name Of Democrat" and who would indig-
uanty scorn to utter word Of depreciation or
apology for their conduct or their priiInciRlesss
agreed-and while my voice is not yet harmon
lied with the 'bondman's key" nor can | speak
with ''bated breath and whispering humble
ness" yet ] have resolved to accept the new
and injurious epithct of ''Copperhead.n For
why should the Democrats of these dark and
bloody days hope to escape trials such as were
endured by the fatheIs of their political faith
The Monarchy men, the Tories and the Refu-
gees during the Revolution, who became Fed
eraists upon formation of the Constitution,
denounced the Democrats of that day as "Jac-
obins" and ''infdels," and concentrated their
venom by fixing the name Of Democrat" up
on our forefathers and party predecessors, as
the intensely bitter essence of contumely and
reproach. The lipaal and party descendants
Of those same Tories and Refugees and Fed
eralists have at various periods since '98,
abused the Democrats by calling them 'Buck
tails ''Barn Burners" '.Loco-Focos,'' and in
later years their termagant violence culmina-
ted in the terms, ssDough Faces" and ssUNIoN
light our il!-tongued slanderers better than any
that they had before happened upon To snecr at
| US because we were said to be Etsitting up" all
our weary nights with the PROSTATE and expir-
ing UNION, seemed to be the chief pleasure OF
those who now tyrannize over the fragment OF
our country, and who destroyed the Union in
| spite of all our care and devotion 10 that bles-
sed compact Yet--they called us ''UMoN
SAVERS" with as much contempt and bitter
ness of spirit as they now call us Cooper
| heads," and | shall do what can to show
that s'Union Savers" and ''Copperhead' are
synonymous. Nor shall I complain that the
| Tories and Refugees and Blue-Light Federaists,
and their successors in traitorous blood and pO-
| litica heresy. chose for themselves such hand
some party appeations as ''Federaiists," ''Na-
| tional Republicans" ," ''Anli- Masous," p" "Whigs,'
''Free-Soilers," ''Native Americans" and
| Heaven pardon their desecrating impudence-
! 'sIJnion Men !" Let them bloviate, for their
| little hour, upon their triumph over the "Uulon
! Savers" and over the ruined Union itself, now
| past nursing and surgery, and unhappily not
recurring the anxious care Of those who sought
| to save It, ana :H3 sat up with it till its
! tremest hour. confess the profoundest sor-
row that AboItionists and Disunionists have
! driven away the watchers and strangied the
| Union on its bed of pain; what matters il now
whether they call as HUnion Savers or Coop
perheads," when our elections are controlled by
| bayonets, when the sacred writ of ha6eas cor
pus is suspended, and when whatever we ar.
allowed of personal liberty is held by the suf-
ferance of an awkward usurper and his sat
rapsf
But shall plead for the "UN1oN SAVERS
now ''Copperheads," that they governed this
once happy country, for the greater part of its
existence, with wisdom and SUCCESS.
They did not diminish its te.ritory-but
they acquired from France, Spain, Mexico and
various Indian tribes, by cheap and honest Pur
chase, or by square fighting and honorable
treatr, millions upoa millions of acres of fertile
lands - they peopled those territories with
white immigrants, induced 70 come hither by
liberal laws of naturalization, which were pas
sed and sustained against repeated attacks Of
/ Federalists, Plug Ugliea Church-Burners ant
Know-Knothings.
They fought the war ofsl 312,e and in spite
of Blue Light Federahsts, lthe ancestors, per
ssopaI and political, Of the AboiitiOnists,) they