Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-11-25
FLOR the Journal.l
The Great Victory.

The Great Victory.
MEsSRs EDITORs:-I was unable to
attend the Union celebration last Fri
day; and, although thus deprived the
pleasure of adding my individual trib-
ute to the joyful shouts of loyal voices,
yet, cannOt let the occasion entirely
pass without saying a word in my own
way, on our late great victory. y
We glory in the spirit that has called
forth so many of our fellOw-citiZens and
of our kindred, to sustain the American
flag, and to uphold American nationali-
ty even to the extremity of laying down
their lives upon the red field of battle, in
defence of our Government. We rejoice
at every victory won by the national
forces over the armed enemy, and it is
proper that we should rejoice. But the
late victory at the ballot-box, by the
American people, puts check upon the
insolent boasting Of domestic traitors,
and of foreign foes. 1t was bloOdless
triumph, it is true, but none the less
great. 1t shows to the world that vast
majority of the people of the great free
States say to Abraham Lincoln "well
done, thou good and faithful servant"
1t shows to the world that the great
heart of the nation is with its Govern
ment in this day of peril, and is deter
mined to put down the shareholders re-
bellion, in spite of foreign helpers and
domestic traitors. The consequences of
the late political victory will he of en-
during advantage, and firmly believe,
will secure the salvation of the country,
with its free institutions.
Whatever | may have uttered on the
stump, or in private, during the late.
canvass, in regard to the parties and the
questions upon which the American
people were to decide, l would re- assert
to-day. Never before, in the history OF
nations was such u terrible conflict
known as that which is now going on
in these United States. Never before
did such conflict take place among
men, so pregnant with veal or woe to
the interests of civilization and human
ity. The elements of this stupendous
war were many years IN gathering but,
during nearly four years past, blood
stained fields and desolated hearthstones
have told Of deadly strife between armed
hosts. Indeed, it has been a matter of
deep establishment to me, to know that
any citizen of the loyal States could or
would fail to see the true character of
the two parties in this conflict.
cone party is led by perured traitors
Of the South, who, according to their
own declarations, took up arms in be-
half of slavery. They fired the first
shot at the Union flag, in behalf of sla-
very, and thereby fired the Southern
heart" las they said in behalf of slavery.
They went out from the Union, and re-
pudiated the federal constitution in be-
half OF slavery. They trailed the Union
emblem in the dust, and their great men
upon it in the streets, as y tri
umph in behalf Of slavery. They organ
lied "Confederacy," and in its name
invited the pirates of the world to prey
upon the commerce of thu United States,
in behalf of slavery. They formed a new
strange flag, and under it aimed their
cannon and led their armies against the
aul horities and the soldiers the Union,
in behalf Of slavery. These slave-beget-
ting. siave-breeding and slave-driving
traitors, with the ignorant" white trash"
of their section, and also Northern SYM
and aristocrats of England
aud France, who are aiding the rebel
lion, all taken together constitute but
one party, and that is the traitors party
which to-day is making war upon the
iag, the Government and the very eX-
lstence Of the American Republic.
On the other hand, we have the Union
party, which stands the Government,
and carries the ila9 Of the nation. 1t
began no strife. IL has made war upon
no party nor section. 1t has simply in
sisted that the will of the majority, con-
expressed III a fair election,
shall be respected. 1t only stands by the
institutions Of the country, determined
to maintain and preserve American ma
and to put down insurrection
and treason, at all hazards. This the
Union party is doing for the great good
Of our own age-for the great good of
the advancement OF order,
law, liberty and virtue, and
FOR the best interests of humanity in
general.
I have promised so much in order TO
come to my main thought namely:
that, in view of these facts, it is very
strange that any native citizen Of the
free States can be a sympathiZer with
the traitors party. But, worst and
citizen" can be found aiding such a
,)arty--that any refugee from European
or any native OF foreign
land, who has found home and citi-
zenship here, can, by voice or vote, aid
the enemies Of this government, is most
In the name OF God
and humanity, how can this be: It is
a spectacle sad enough to make angels
weep and devils laugh. But ! know
tilat those who occupy this bad position
DO 80 by mistake, because they are mis-
led by the holy name OF Democracy
which has been assumed by wicked
leaders, know that paid hirelings,
spies and partisans OF the traitors in
ariuS have stolen the name "Democra-
cy' and attempted to ciothc themselves
with it,, attributes, like harlots in the
habiliments Of virtue, in order 10 mis-
lead :he people. They have, to some
degree, succeeded. These false leaders
are the Wretches who are chiefly 10
blame for beguiling the simple minded
into !; path that leads only 10 ruin
Should any large proportion OF oar
''ai!UDted citiZens' continue to be thus
nisiri, it will be very bad for them in
tiIe future Of this country. 1t is true
tllat thousands of them have battled
nobly for the nations cause, and many
have died, and will yet die, defending
the nations flag, and glory will encircle
their memory forever. as it will the
But no man, native or adopted, should
day longer in the ranks Of Il
bogus Democratic party which has been,
and is now. only the handmade to
slavery and treason.
The time is coming when he, to be
poor or rich, native or adopted, vino has
opposed the Union party, which carries
the Nations flag in this war, will be
held in the same light as the tories Of
the Revolution are now held, and the
disgrace will descend from the parent to
the child. Now, since the late election
shows that a large majority of the peo-
pie have decided in favor of the Admin
and its measures for the sup
preston of the rebellion, it is clearly
the duty Of every man who calls himself
q " Democrat" not only to cheerfully
acquiesca in that decision, but to come
pressed will of the majority. He who