The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-09-23
For the Daily Pioneer.
"DemOsthenes on Connernood. .,

"Demosthenes on Copperheads.,,
The Daily Press, OF Friday last, publishes an
article with this caption, with great deal Of
gusto, and commends it to the perusal Of NJ,
| loyal men and the paper from which the press
| copies it, the Washington Chronicle, seeks IN
draw parallel between the men whom the
windy orator of Athens condemns and the Con-
perheads (so-called) of the present day, mean
ing the great Conservative Union Democratic
party. All students of ancient history who are
acquainted with the most prominent events in
the life Of the cowardly bloviator Of the Athe-
mans, viii at once sec that Demosthenes and
the leaders Of the Loyal Leagues are just alike
in their characteristics, and it is eminently
proper that the abolitonists of the present day
should quote from Demo5thenes. In this there
is . fitness Of things which commends itself
to the Judgment Of all candid mcn-the lovers
of their country.
1t may not be generally known, yet such is
the fact that Demosthenes after delivering a
great many windy orations to his countrymen
against Philip of Macedon, and against those
of his countrymen who deemed the war which
he was stirring up impracticabIe and impolitic,
was persuaded to take small command in the
Athenian army that was sent to oppose Philip.
They hoped he would demonstrate by his ac-
tions what he was so ready to proclaim by fine
sentiments. But mark the sequel.
at the battle of Cheronea, fought by the
Athenian forces against Philip of Macedon,
August 9TH, in the year 33S B. c., this valiant
champion of the liberties of Athens took to his
heels at the first onset of the enemy, and never
stopped running until he found himself safe
In his own domicil in the city. It is said that
never did runner in the games OF Greece
make such fast time towards the goal as did
Demosthenes to the rear, flinging away his
arms in abject fear. Afterwards he was the
first to propose humiliating terms to the con-
queror.
Under the reign of Alexander the Great, who
succeeded his father on the throne, that mon.
arch demanded that eight or ten of the Athe-
MAN orators who had been most active against
him should be delivered up, and at the head
of the list stood the name of Demosthenes.
In this dilemma PhOcian, one of the cOnserva-
tive leaders of that day, and who had given
the people better councils in the hour of adver-
sity, was called upon by them for his opinion,
when he rose and said that the persons whom
Alexander demanded had brought the State
into such miserable plight that they deserved
to be surrendered, and for his own part he
should be very happy to die for the Common
wealth." But afterwards it was on his own
application that the lives of the orators were
spared.
Thus it will be seen that the heads of these
cowardly skulkers were saved by the very men
against whom they tried to excite the fury of
the Athenian populace, branding them with all
kind of opprobrious epithets, but who, when
the real danger came, proved themselves to be
the true patriots.
SO it is in our unhappy country at the pres
ent time. am afraid the period will shortly
come when even the eloquence of Seymour,
and other Democratic champions. will not be
able to save the worthless lives of the blatant
abolition leaders from the fury of an indignant,
betrayed and exasperated people.
But the smile goes still farther. l under
stand CnaC the InemUtISo VI Iut Loyal League VI
this city, in imitation of their brethren of In
dianapolis, Indiana, have authorized r. P.
Lewis, one of their members, and captain in
the Home Guard, or State Militia, to declare
that the report that any of the members of the
LOYAL League intend to volunteer, to be a base,
malicious story, totally unfounded in truth. 1t
is said to be the duty of all true patriots to
stay at home and hol an Office, and, if posi-
BILE, employ alagr lver-the team to be
furnished by the men:. Those members
of the SUPERFICIAL a on party who shall be
unable to obtain cam in this way, are to
stand as sentinels on the watch tower of Lib
erty. DEMOCRAT.
ST.. PAUL, Sept. II, 1864.