The Shasta courier., 1866-08-25
History.

come and gone. It has passed to its place
in the annals of history. Its projectors will
claim that it has been success. 1t was
called to break up the great Union party of
the nation. In that respect it is failure
That patriotic party has not been broken up;
on the contrary at no time since its forma-
ton, in l86l-62. has there been greater
unity of sentiment in its councils, or closer
afhliation in its elements, or more determin-
ed purpose in action, than now. There was
from the beginning diversity of opinions in
the party. There was radical and con-
servative wing and they never fully agreed
upon manv details of policy. They were a
unit in this only: that the rebellion must be
put down and the Union saved. But they
differed about the means. The radicals
were from the beginning urging immediate
emancipation They were grievously hurt
and disappointed when President Lincoln
countermanded the orders of Fremont, and
afterwards of Hunter, freeing the slaves in
their districts. Again, when Fremont was
removed from his command. and emanciapa-
ton was so long delayed On the other side,
the Conservatives were for holding on to
Mcclellan; and for guarding the private
property of rebels. especially slaves for re.
turning all fugitlves for constant offers of
peace. They were getting up caravans of
pilgrims to Richmond, carrying olive branch.
es, crying for an armistice and amnesty
They wanted to fight softly and win back
our r" erring sisters" Both sides were tug
ging at the President to get his ear, to have
a change in the Cabinet this way or that
On the matter of reconstruction, there was
a difference between President Lincoln and
Congress. He pocketed a bill passed by
Congress, and then carried out the provi-
sions of it by proclamation in the terms of
the BILL Wade and Davis, of the joint COM
mittee, said severe things of Mr. Lincoln,
tried to defeat his denomination, and even
kept up bitter opposition afterwards. By
a few. Fremont was put forward. But be
fore the election all was healed only here
and there a Union man bolted. When An
drew johnson first determined to break and
reconstruct the Union party, he carried a
large share of the party with him. His
veto of the first Freedmen's Bureau bill was
sustained, and many accompanied him on
his course with the Civil Rights bill, and
kept along till the Senate's amendments to
the Constitution had passed. Then, when
he opposed that most just, righteous. and
necessary measure-threw off all DISCUSSES,
and called the Union majority traitors reel
ed from the Federal to the Confederate camp
alternately, but slept in the latter-then,
even Raymond deserted him. Union men,
warned by the common danger. forgot and
buried out of sight their slight differences,
and closed up their ranks. kept their powder
drv. and an eve on the gun.
When the Philadelphia Convention was
first called the Democrats were shy-fnally
they concluded to go in and capture it
This they seemed likely to do, but Seward,
Weed and Raymond saw the danger and set
to work with great vigor, and effected
compromise. They would let all the rebels
in with Orr at their head. provided they
would be quiet and strictly follow the pro
gramme But Valandigham. Wood and
Pendleton-more odious to Union men than
the rebels, because while they bad murder
in their hearts, toward the Government, they
had not the pluck to fght--must stay out
If Seward, Weed and Raymond have crawl
ed on their bellies to Vallandlgham, Wood
and Pendeton. plead and expostuiated with
them then there are no snakes. And in the
very successful effort to keep them out they
oave them the Convention. Their disinter-
ested magnanimous, self sacrifice made
them the popular lions and lords of the hour.
By cowardly prudence the projectors of the
Convention have plunged themselves into
pusilIanimity They were so wise that they
became FOOLS They sheared their own
heads and scattered their strength among the
ph;listines. Weed gave Dix and Doolittle
each she'll and Vallandigham the oyster
Tbey have opened their china shop and go'
an elephant in it. Whether Weed had to
nromise Vallandgham, Wood & Co. any
nomination to Congress or not has not yet
transpired d-time will tell. If these men
think they have found crevice in the Union
narty large enough to let such Wooden
blades as Fernando or Ben in, let them try
Il. If they have entered wedge, it will
take something heavier than a Vailandig-
hammer to drive it far. The Union party is
unit, it is full of life and power and eager
for the fray-let the triple-headed monster
D..