The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-08-10
"ThG Duty of Democrats"


ton will convince anybody that, as that Is
the main ingredient in the composition OF
that party, the amount displayed is not out
of proportion.
There is another thing that will forclbly
strike the readers of these leaders, and that
is the convenient memories these copper
head editors have.
They are SO completely forgetful and OBJ
livious of all the experience of the past few
years They have forgotten that it was the
democratic party that conceived the trea-
sonable design of destroying the Union, aud
took the initiatory steps in that unholy plot
under the approval, or at least suferance
of democratic President-that democrat
ic Vice President who was also candidate
for President, was one of the chief leaders
in the reasonable conspiracy for the disso-
ton and tile obstruction of the Free Govern
meut under which we live. They forget
that democracy declared that there was no
power under the constitution to prevent the
dissolution of the Union and the destruction
of the Government, and therefore advised
and would, if it had had the power, COM
PEELED the administration to adopt the mas
terly inactivity policy on purpose to allow
the rebellion and secessionists to carry out
their plans Of destruction unobstructed and
unimpeded. They forget that throughout
the four years struggle for the preservation
of the Union and the Constitution, the DEM
ocratic party was arrayed on the side of the
rebels-ihat so far as sympathy, encourage
ment and good wishes could avail, the reb-
els had that aid from the democratic party
And they evidently forget that throughout
the four years struggle for the preservation
of the Government handed down to us by
Washington, jefferson and their illustrious
associates of Revolutionary memory, the
democratic party found fault with every
measure of the administration adopted for
the suppression of the rebellion, and did its
best to prevent the loyal people of the coun-
try responding to the call of the President
for means to suppress the rebellion. They
forget, that throughout the four years strug-
gle for the life of the nation, the democrat
ic party persistently declared that the rebels
could not be conquered, and that if they
could be, they ought not to be, and we had
no right TO conquer them. All these things
and hundred more, these democratic edi-
tors forget, i'll discussing the duty of the
democratic party i'll the present crisis of the
country. We would suggest that the first
duty of the democratic party in considera-
ton of its manifold sins and transgressious,
is to put OH sackclotE aud ashes, and con-
fess and repent Of its great wickedness. If
there were loyal democrats, and thank God
there were many. whose love of country was
greater than their love Of party, and who
saw and appreciated the necessities and du-
ties of the occasion, no thanks to the party.
They were loyal in spite of the teaching of
the party, and were denounced as renne-
gades from the party.
The editor of Marquette Erpress one Of
the leading organs of the party in the State;
in discussing this question says;
''The duty of the democrats politically, is
the duty of the democratic party proper. In
the present crisis, when the opposition par
ty is losing its foothoId, and standing with
the people of the country, it is emphatically
the duty Of democrats and the democratic
party, to show that degree of magnanimity
and Cancellation toward that deluded, but
now satisfied portion Of the republican party,
which characterizes people organized into
party, for the sole purpose of promoting
sound doctrine and correct principles of gov.
eminent throughout the length and breadth
of the land. There are men who have con-
uected themselves with and trained jealous
ly in the republican ranks for mercenary
purposes, and because that party had the
control OF the state and federal governments,
with whom we have no sympathy whatever
There is another class of men, however. who
have helped swell the majority of that party,
from blind faith and belief III the false
hoods and lying pretences of the leaders
and bad faith OF political demagogues. The
last class of men now fully understand that
the protested unionism of leading republi-
caus, always did and does now mean and
intend disunion and nothing else but dis
union"
The writer Of the above is one Of those
democrats who are favored with peculiarly
convenient memory. While talking SO
glibly of the duty Of democrats and the
democratic party, at the present crisis,
when the opposition party is losing its foot
hold and standing with the people of the
country" evidently forgets what lie was
doing one year ago He forgets that he
was then urging the people resist the cal
of the government for more men to put the
finishing touch to the rebellion He forgets
that he copied and endorsed the infamous
article of the La Crosse Democrat, urging
some bold hand to assassinate President
Lincoln In case Of his reelection. He for
gets that when the news of the result of tht
PRESIDENTIAL canvass vas auncunced last
fall, he declared t,mt the only thing left wa.
an appeal 10 arms ami revolution. He for
gets also that he democratic party,
which he tl0lhs should show so much mag
nanimity and conciliaton' towards the de
Iluded but now satisfied portion Of the Re
publican party, is in miserable, hopeless,
minority in every Ioya! State Of the Union
1t is undoubtedly pleasant, if not prof
liable pastine, for tie democracy to indulge
IN this sort of thing, and pJag that they al,
the great, powerful party of the country, will