The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-12-20
A DEn0cnArIc PoLITIcAL

Hon, VIZ. PREsros, Of Ksasucky, Demo
cratic Minister to Spain belbre the war, who
became Confederate General Preston after
the war began, il out in letter instruchng
his Democratic brethren a. TO their duty, and
possibly bidding for the Govesnor'hip OF
Kentucky. He thinks the Democracy has
acted somewhat stability in not taking for
its candidates for Office what be deems fair
share of rebels. A Confederate General
should be taken as candidate for Governor,
urges General Preston, whence it is fair to
assume that General Preston modesty SOLE
ly prevented his suggesting himself. He ar
CUES thus with his brethren:
''If the people accept their own pardon
under the amnesty by the sacrifice OF tner
chiefs and trusted comrades and leaders, then
indeed are our misfortunes irremeoiaoie, ana
onr dishonor unfathomable. When Vir-
pin;an looks in the face Of Lee, or South
Carolinian in that of Hampton, or a Ken
tuckian in the countenance of Breckinrldge,
and can say to himself, i regained my rights
by deserving and denouncing yours then, in
sooth, is our degradation perfect"
He shows the unity Of Kentucky Democ-
racy in faith and sufferings; he shows that 1t
owes its strength largely to the rebel ele-
ment, and with happy suayity of manner
and consciousness OF truth he makes his
Confederate uniform the colors of the entire
Kentucky Democracy, and speaks OF those
sore-headed Union men who became rebel
lied, and, he says, COINED our ranks" Thus
he states III
"Without doubt, after the close Of the war,
the Southern element was the most energetic
power in reviving the exanimate Democracy
of the State. Large numbers Of the party
were forced, by choice ortyranny, to abandon
their homes and resist in arms the annihlla-
ton Of rights ever held sacred by the De-
mocracy. Others, sympathizing with the
cause, submitted and endured insults and in-
iuries at home, without offering active resist
ance to the usurpations oftheir rights. Some,
BETRAYED. duped, and indignant at the treach-
ery by which their slaves and harvests were
swept away, although originally Union men,
,oined our ranks. ("
His services in behalf Of rebellion ennis
nently fit him, be is sure, for Democratic Of.
fees; would be a certain way to preferment
in Kentucky, which won't tolerate any 10y.
atty at all; and his soul grows wroth within
him as be contemplates the Radical scheme
of keeping him from his Governorship on
account Of his having been Rebel General.
He thinks this latter his highest claim to the
chair Of State, SO he indignantly counsels his
reconstructed brethren thus:
''It we wish to compact our party upon a
foundation that will make Kentucky an im>
pregnable bulwark to the rights of freemen,
and against sectional aggression, no such
timid distrust Of the people should-be shown.
If the October elections terrify politicians
into useless concessions, it does rot affect the
body of the party. They only
utter louder cry of defiance against the
Radicals instead Of bowling before them and
propitiating them by declaring that they will
forever dlsfranehise or exclude from Office
all who served in the armies of the confed.
eracy.i
Gen. Preston should at once be taken into
favor by the Copperiohnson rebels Of Ken>
lucky.