American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-04-05

paigns of Sherman and Grant, respective
ly, had not yet reached satisfactory results.
And as the situation was growing more
critical, want of cohesiveness was begin
ing to develop itself in the Republican
party. One Convention was called at
Buffalo, another at Cincinnati; both af-
ter Mr.. Lincoln's denomination EN-
boldened by this state of things Copper
heads had became more violent and bitter
than they had formerly been.
Men of position in the party-men of
talent-were found bold in their denun-
Citations of the government. Time can
never erase from our memory, the immi-
nent dangers that seemed to threaten us.
we are now in the majority" said they,
we believe this war for the Union to be
hopeless, and therefore unjustifable-we
dare YOU to make another draft-hence-
forth no Democrat can be forced into the
army-before thirty days we will have a
secret organization in every election dis
trict in the loyal States, to unite in resist
ing the draft, and every other federal man
date; and we defy you and your army! !"
Such was the language of the leaders Of
that once Democratic-bu now aristo-
cratic-party. 1t was known that they
were led by bad men-men whose whole
sympathy was with the rebels--men who
could admire the high executive qualities
of Jefferson Davis, and would become ex-
tetic in contemplation of the high militia
ry genus of Gen. Lee but who would
blush at the craftsmanship Of President
Lincoln, or the military sagacity Of Sher.
man or Grant
You have carried on this inhuman
war four years, and have accomplished
nothng-the prosecution of this war Sc
cures the independence of the South
they can resist our armies for ten years to
come, while we cannot carry it on, on our
part, another year, and even in that short
time it will bankrupt the country" Men
with these songs in their mouths could
be found on every corner 1t was not
known how extensive their mischief might
extend. Heavy taxes were necessary to
keep up the credit-heavy drafts were
necessary to keep up the army-a Presi-
dential election was approaching. Let
the individual opinions of Gen. McClel-
Ian be what they mighl, his associations,
his surroundings were such that most 10y
al men believed that his election would
secure the independence of the South
the humiliation of the North. A ces-
sation of hostilities would have been
granted preparatory to negotiation. The
rebels would have asked that our armies
be withdrawn from their territory before
they would have deigned to treat for
DGtCc anu lIlo ObNC hbllC -tlC lSilltOil
which we had wrestled from them, at such
cost of blood and treasure, once given up,
and scarcely the Republican party could
have been induced to attempt its recon
quest. Looking then at the situation, in
this light which by the BY was the light
of reason-is it any wonder that Mr..
Greeley felt deep soicitude for such ac-
ton on the part of the Government as
would insure confidence, and as a conse-
quence, victory both at the ballott-box and
in the field Possibly that letter may
have assisted in awakening Mr.. Lincoln
to the great danger which threatened him
and the country. One thing is certain,
that great change took place before the
close of the campaign-thOse who thro'
September and the forepart of October
were found in every nook and corner de-
nouncing the government in unmeasured
terms-laboring constantly to destroy con-
fidence in its finance and its arms-were
considerably improved by the first of No
vember, and have been improving ever
since, till some of them have favored the
policy of arming .he negro, Especially
when standing in need of substieute).
But we have said more than we intend
ed. We can easily see why the friends"
of Mr.. Greeley could not justify such a
letter, if written now, being written last
summer we think changes the matter ma
terially.
Soldiers Orphans.