The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-23
THE NEW YORK PRESS.
EDITORIAL OPINIONS OF THE LEADING
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The Union soldiers and The Political
Campaign.

The Union Soldiers and The POlittc"i
Campaign
From the Times.
One of the chief controlling forces in the poll
tics of the country for many future years will
be that of the great army of volunteer soldiers
who bore our flag in the late gigantic contest,
and carried through TO triumphant conclusion
the war for the Union. The report of the
Secretary of War made in December last showed
that at the close of the Rebellion, or in May OF
last year. there were over ten hundred thousand
men in the Union armies; and besides these,
there were probably half as many mere who
had seen service, for a greater or longer period
of time, but who had been mustered out because
of the expiration Of their term of enlistment or
for other reasons.
All of this enormous force of volunteer sol
ders are now back among u.s. and scattered
through the country as peaceful citizens. They
are voters, almost TO a man. They are nearly
all young men, of vigorous character, and
with intelligent convictions, their dispositions
sObered by the scenes they have gone through,
and their ideas enlarged by the experiences OF
the field and the uarcn. They nave an immense
influence in all communities, but especially in
the rural localities. The choicest young men
of the village or district patriotically enlisted in
eager interest by their relatives and neighbors.
On their return, each one OF them became
centre of influence and power and will so con-
tinue for the remainder OF life. There is not
State or county, city or hamlet in the
entire North but has more or less of these dis
banded volunteers, officers and soldiers in their
midst, and in numerous places they can con-
troll, by their direct and indirect influence, the
whole course OF public affairs.
The radicals have counted upon getting this
controlling political power on the side of their
measures and schemes. Having confronted the
Southerners on the field of battle, having suf-
foroA dc or1Hl nft tha Il
lion, having the most patriotic feelings, and the
most decided convictions, it seemed as though
IL meht be easy to operate upon them by the
memories OF the past, and to keep alive in their
hearts those passions which inlamed them in
the day of battle. If they could be got, as a
body, on the side of the radicals, the triumph of
the latter Ill future elections would be secured,
and their power in the country would be made
permanent for at least generation.
But there are signs that in this case they have
counted without their host. The large number
of delegates to the Philadelphia Convention of
officers who bore distinguished part in the
war; but who have now returned to civil lite,
was the first important sign we had that the in
teligence of the volunteer army was prepared
to play an intelligent and independent part in
national politics. From the Western and the
Eastern and the Central States we had members
OF the highest military distinction, and there
was hardly delegation from any quarter but
had In 1t leading men who, at the beginning of
last year, were battling for the flag OF the nation
in the States of the South.
II is absurd, not to say wicked, base, and un-
grateful, Tor the radicals TO designate such men
as "Copperheads." 1t is ridiculous to accuse
them OF want of devotion to the liberties OF
their country. 1t is preposterous to say that
they are now lowering their flag before Rebels
or that they are selling the glory of their past
history for mess of pottage. The epithets
which the Tribune and kindred ORGANS heap
upon the members OF a Convention in which
there is SO large an infusion of such an element,
are foolish as well as outrageous. But instead
fnf, lnt1- -plNi tln y,ly
show our volunteer soldiers what kind of men
they are who are now seeking to rule and ruin
the country.
But this is not the only indication of the
course of sentiment and action among the Off
GERS and soldiers of the army of the Union.
There have been two important meetings of
officers OF conservative politics within the last
few DAYS the latest OF which was held at Wash
ington. The attendance was large and dlstn-
guished, and preliminary preparations were
made for holding, in short time, a National
Convention of the Union officers Of the late war
who are in favor OF the policy OF President
johnson. gentleman who was present at
one oil these meetings, and who has the most
extensive acquaintance IN the circles of which
we speak, says that the assemblage was OF the
most pOrlant and significant character, and
gives it as his opinion that it will soon be seen
that at least nne-tenths of the brave men who
lately led our armies are in favor Of the con-
serVatives' policy of the Administration, and
will be found supporting President johnson as
warmly in the political campaign as they sup
ported his predecessor on the field of battle, By
this we can judge Of the course of the rank ane
file; for as the feeling of officer and soldier
was one on the field, so now it is one when both
have returned to the position OF citizens.
We believe that to-day the great body of pa
tIiotic citizens who last year wore the army
blue are now united in sentiment with the con
servative Union party OF the nation. They dc
not desire that the splendid herOism they dis
played against the Rebel soldiers should bC
followed by such mean and contemplate wal
as the radicals are now waging against thu
Southern people. They fought their foes like
men, but when these foes succumbed the,
would treat them like men and citizens, anC
with a magnanlmity worthy Of the victors. |
is a mistake TO suppose that our soldiers ar
hlled with revenge and malice against thos
who were arrayed on the other side, Oh th
contrary, they are anxious TO stretch forth tn
hand Of fellowship, and ask tnem to join il
promoting the prosperity OF the country an
securing the freedom and glory OF these Unite
States. The vast importance and influence
such feeling upon the politics OF the countr
will soon make itself apparent in manner thf
but few expect.
The European Peace Preliminaries--Inl
perial Expansion of Prussia
From the Herald.