Weekly Trinity journal., 1864-04-09
Duty Of Union Men.

OWtt "a OhAQh uAcAs ~
The Onion partyo Of tits State had asthe fun
damental principle of Its organization the purest
motives under which men could unite themselves
into political associations for political purposes.
It was not for any of the ordinary measures of
policy which the usual aims of parties it
not that they desired that this or that pfinci
pie of government should be successful, but be-
cause the very existence of the country was
threatened, men were'willing to relinquish the
ties which had bound them together in the past,
and forming new alliances with old political OPP
ponents work in concert for those measures by
which the best interests of the country would be
served The booming Of the first cannon fired
at Fort Sumter swept away the old land marks
of politics from the ruins of former parties, and
new one arose actuated only by the purest, no.
blest and hottest motives, and to its ranks
crowded the patriotic of all parties and sections.
1t recognized no platform but the Union, no prin-
ciple but its preservation in all its integrity and
no creed save the one which sustains the Gov
eminent in those measures which taken to
accomplish that object. These the cardinal
principles of the Union party, and those who ar
ray themselves in opposition to that party are
either traitors in disguise or the tools with which
| traitors work.
But no party, however pure in it's motives, can
prevent the influx into its ranks of men who have
selfish aims of their own to serve. So too there
are men in the Union ranks who would be in
their proper sphere if acting in conjunction with
the Copperheads but who, as they are, are sadly
out of place. We have more respect for n open,
frank, outspoken enemy, than for those who I'M
der the gusc of Unionism and as members of the
Union party, by their chickering's and Discussions
do more harm to the cause than the entire efforts
of the Copperheads could accomplish. We look
upon it that personal preferences should be laid
aside for the public good, that even if our own
views are not consulted, we should, in an hour
like the present, bow to the wishes of the ma or-
| ity and aid it to accomplish the desired end in
the manner which may be deemed best Such
honest differences of opinion as will exist in the
minds of different ones, engaged in the pursuit
of the same object, we are prepared for, yet
when those views differ so widely that one por-
tion VI tho parry Pioioi VIC iioh VI ioslHS TIC
object for which they have been contending,
than to see the other portion triumph, then we
have but little faith in their devotion to the cause
Such action on the part of pretended Union men
gives greater hopes to the Copperhead fraternity
than anything else that could happen short of a
downright rebel victory.
This year above all others we wish to see our
party present an unbroken front to the foe. FOR
three years past our gallant soldiers have pressed
onward, carrying the standard of our country in
triumph to the very center of the enemy 5 do
main. 1t has been no bloodleSs victory. Every
step of the road is marked with the graves of
buried heroes, for each of whom northern
household is draped in mourning. Our duty to
the dead who have fallen in battle. to the living
who yet - rally round the flag" but who stand
ready at the word of command to lay down their
lives in the same cause, requires us to be uni
ted as Union men. to frown down any attempts
at dissensions that threaten the defeat Of the
party. With {: Honest Old Abe " for our Presi-
dent for the four years, the last hope of the
rebels would be crushed, the last prop knocked
from under their lettering structure. and an early
and glorious peace would be the result. But if
by discussions in our ranks We permit the Cop
perhead faction to triumph, then all that has been
done has been done vainly.
In former times were never IN advocate of
strict partizanship nor stickier for party fealy.
But at the present time any movement which
even by implication might bring about the defeat
of the Union ticket would be but so much ala
and comfort to treason. The primary meetings
are the place where all minor differences should
be settled, and from the nominations of a con-
vention at the present time no true patriot
should appeal