Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1865-09-01
From the Ohio State Journal, Aug. 24th.
STATUS OF THE DElIOCATIC PART

For the DraVeSt woman IN 1enDeSSeel
-<<%S
From the Ohio State Journal, Aug oath.
STATUS OF THE DENIOCATIC PARTY.
There is appointed 10 be held in this city to-
day. Convention of what calls itself the DEM
Ocratic Party. We deem the occasion oppor-
tune for looking iEtO the characteristics of that
party, to see wherein it differs from the other
portions of the community that do not attach
themselves to that organization or sympathise
in their action. We propose this, 10 the end
that, in case that party shall be found distin-
guished above the others for the wisdom of it's
principles or the purity of it's actions, its pre-
cepts and practice may seem model for 9TH
ere to emulate its excellence
No one will question the fairness of judging
the Democratic party now, by the action of its
recognized leaders in past days. Indeed it is
the boast of that party that it is governed by prin
ciples, and that its principles are immutable.-
Let us then look at some of the antecedents of
this Democratic party, that we mayIbetter Judge
of its pretensiOns and its quality. We grant
for the purposes of the present inquiry, that
what the Democratic party was twenty, ten, or
five years ago, it is the same to-day. Men
change-principLes, never.
We go back then, TO the early months of the
year 1861, and enquire for the democratic par
ty; Where was the democratic party about the
middle Of April, 1862 Fully one half of the
party had sloughed off from the remaining half,
and from its duty TO the nation, and was active
ly occupied in setting up pretended govern
ment Of its own, in defiance of the nation-
al authority, in utter disregard of constitutional
provisions. and in contempt of the voluntary
oaths resting upon their souls. They seized
the forts arsenals, magazines, navy yards, mints
and custom-hOuses IN their vicinage aud dis
played strange aud hostile ensign over their
stolen acquisitions. They fired upon the flag of
their country as it approached citadel with
provisions for its garrison. They omitted no
act in their power to perpetuate, TO manifest
their deep hatred of the institutions and gov
ernment of the country. These were Southern
democrats, and they bore sway in every State
that was involved IN secession.
And now, we demand, in what respect did
Northern democrats differ from those in the
South? True, they did not take up arms to
overthrow the government; but they were
throughout the long and bloody contest the al
lies and abettors of the rebels who did
Southern Democrats fired upon and murder
ed our volunteer soldiers in the streets of Balti
more, while on their way TO the defense of the
National Capital; aud Northern Democrats said,
''Well, the volunteers had no right to INVADE
a sister Statel"
On the 23d of January, 1861, when the spirit
oftreason was running wanton through the land.
there was an assemblage of Ohio Democracy at
Columbus, TO "Send greeting from 100000 DEM
ocratic voters of Ohio, TO their brethren North
and South" thus pledging the whole body of
Democracy to sustain the treasonable designs of
the Southern leaders.
When the National Capitol was beleagured
and the President called for $4,000 volunteers to
prevent its falling into rebel hands, Northern
Democrats cavilled at the measure the number
was extravagant-and besides, the President
had no authority TO inaugurate war measures;
that was the prerOgative of Congress.
When the magnitude of the rebellion had be-
gun to develop itself, and measures were pro-
posed in Congress for its suppression, these
measures met a uniform and indiscriminate op-
position from the Northern Democrats.
While President Lincoln and his Cabinet
were spending anxious days and sleepless nights
in devising means for the salvation of the coun-
try from ruin at the hands of Southern Demo-
crats in arms for its overthrow, Northern Dem
Ocrats made it their pastime to traverse the
land, to propagate discomfort, traduce the gov
ernment misrepresent its acts and its motives,
and contribute all in their power to the aid and
support Of the insurgents.
When these Northern Democrats, having de-
voted themselves to stirring up of mutiny, had
gone to very verge of the "Overt act Of treason
and the government was forced to lay its strong
hand upon them to stay their course the very
Welkln rang Wlbl J0elT CIV OF "GyTdDl! cDln
coin Bastilel'' "despOtisml'
When Congress asked the people to loan the
government money to defray the expenses of
the war, Northern Democrats were alarmed at
the creation of national debt:
When Congress proposed TO levy excise du-
ties TO save the credit Of the nation and defFay
portion of the expenses of the war as it pro-
Rressed then came the same democratic cry of
OnerOUs tG6dttoR!
When volunteers were called to suppress the
rebellion inaugurated by Southern Democrats,
we were told that this was an abolition war
waged against "our Southern bretbren;" let the
abolitionists fight it out themselves. Perchance
when they are gone to "subugate" our South
ern brethren, Ve may clutch the helm of State,
and turn the tables upon them.
Aud when the Legislature proposed that
those citizens of the State who for the time
went to the field for the maintenance ofthe ma
tionality should be allowed to cast their votes
as citizen soldiers the Democrats could not find
it in their conscience TO do such thing. They
were for TleTast allowing soldiers to vote, sure.
The government required large sums of mon
ey to suppress the Democratic rebellion. How
should it be rsised-by taxation, or by loan2-
The latter mode was adopted; and as an in
ducement for people to take the loan. it was
stipulated that the bonds received of the gov
eminent for money advanced, should be exempt
from taxation by general or State governments.
lis it SO, that the Democrats were so unpatriotic
as to withhold their money from the govern
1nent in this extremity Or how il it that we
now find it a tenet in the Democratic platform,
that these bonds shall be taxed notwithstanding
7he agreement to the contrary
Is 1t not very eWarkable-that the only men
Hn Congress whose votes gave encouragement
and aid to the rebels, were Democrats?
That the votes against all the measures vital
fOr the re-establishment of the national author
lty were Democratic votes
The only persons from the North who have
been found in the rebel army, and taken priso-
ners are Democrats.
That the only parties who lament over the
downfall of slavery, are DemOcrats2
That the only party that now opposes the
complete prostratiOn of the rebellion, and meas
nres to prevent its recurrence is the Democrat
ic party?
That every person who lsbOred to discourage
enlistments, was DemocratY
That every person who interposed objection
60 our citizens exercising the elective franchise
because they had volunteered 10 defend the
country and its flag, was DemOcrat2
Wemight extend the indictment TO an indefi-
mite length, but enough has been adduced to
show the complete iderfitv subsistipg between
Southern Rebels and Northern Democrats: and
that consequently, all the fruits of the victories
achieved by the gallant Volunteers of the Re-
public would be wasted and thrown away. ifhv
any means we now suffer these (r;ends of ,ob
els and allies of traitors to succeed Ia novver
Should such calamity befaIl our country
which Heaven forefendl-One of two tbinos
may he set down rs certain: Either that tbe
faith of the nation would 60 TO dishonor hy the
SepudiatiOn of The war debt or that the debt of
the rebels will be supcradded to that contracted
nv the poveru mont for fo;n tho