Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1865-03-31
Draw the Line.

tween whom there is the same difference as
between q gentleman and black gard The
one holds to his party opinions strongly and
positively, but he awards to others the same
sincerity 10 their views that be- claims for
himself, and admits that man may differ
from him in political faith and still be loyal
and patriotic. The other denounces all Dem.
Gratis as "Copperheads' aud TRAITORS and
sets down every one who does not go the full
length OF his ultraism as in sympathy with the
rebellion. Now between these two classes a
distinct line should be drawn. There is no
reason Why the most perfect respect and
friendship should not exist between persons
OF fopposte political opinions, If they will treat
each other decentIy and with respect Ifany
have not the sense or the manners to do this
they should be given to understand that their
first duty ia this matter is to reform their
ways
The above is from the Urbana Union,
and there is truth in every word of it.
One of the saddest aspects Of the times is
the rancor and bitterness which has exist
ed between neighbors and former friends,
merely in consequence of difference of
opinion on the absorbing topics which
have occupied the public mind for the last
four years, Denunciation, prescription,
hatred and malice have been visited upon
the heads of those who honestly and con.
scientiously differed in sentiment with the
adherents of the Administration. Men
who could not endorse the policy of the
party in power, have not only been de-
nounced as traitors and enemies to the
country, but they have been arrested, i'm
prisoned and prosecuted in all possible
ways-their property destroyed and their
lives threatened, and in some instances
ruthlessly taken. Lifetime associations Of
friends and neighbors have been broken
mp, and even the sacred ties of family and
kindred have been sundeied.
But the most melancholy and humilia-
ting feature of the case is, that prolessed
ministers Of the Gospel have done more
than any other class of men to produce
this state of things. Taking advantage
of their position, and shielding themselves
behind the privileges with which their Of
flee invests them, they have dared to ont
rage their vocation by setting aside and
repudiating the mild precepts Of the "Gos-
pei of Peace" and exhorting their hearers
to cherish aud cultivate sentiments of en-
Wy, hatred. malice and murder toward their
tellow-m"n The pulpit has been made II
political rostum, from which to hhrl an p
sthemas and denunciations against all men
who were disposed to peace-who earn
estly and honestly desired that our afflict
ed country might be saved from impend-
ing ealamities by some other means than
the "arbitrament of the sword"-And men
who ventured to differ with them were not
only denounced as TRAITORS" but visited
with the dignyfsd epithets Of "knaves and
fools" -Fa 4l.lG aa
We think, however, that better day
is dawning. If we are not mistaken in
the signs of the times, public sentiment.
in this respect. is even now undergoing a
salu:ary change-that old friends and
neighbors are beginning to see the folly
and madness of their past course-that
there is no reason, sense or dignity in the
unmsnly and proscriptive conduct alluded
to-snd, especially, that the cleyical gen
tlemen who have, for while past, been
wearing the ''livery Of heaven to serve the
devil in" will soon find their level, and