The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-02-17
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Te.IiHle QNtt6 OettuH1s OF ulOEo 63aCL4y
speaking, they indicate a systematic
attempt to establish the dominance of
a combination never before possible in
this country in all its parts. generally
known, and well described, by the sin
gle term "copperhead-ism.' Thisterm
as understood and applied means in
brief acknowledgement rebellion against
the United States and hostility to AL
who support and enforce its authority.
1t means now about what "toryism"
meant at the close of the revolution. II
describes a combination of the yarious
elements of hostility TO the government,
which having been beaten in the field
of their own choice, now seek to COM
pass by u sinister work of deception
aud defamation the results next best
to those they proposed but failed to ac-
complish by war. To this combination
is added an element OF comparative
honesty and loyalty; for few menof
good intentions are roped into it by the
plausible professions of the copper
head leaders, without understanding
their Interior purposes or approaching
the uses that are to be made Of them.
To some extent this state of things is
common to every State in the Union,
though modified by latitude and locali-
ty. In the lately revolving States, the
genuine and hearty loyalty to the Uni
ted States which many persisted In be-
lieying would show itself once the yoke
were lifted, has scarcely been manifest
ed. We nre compelled to accept the
unweleome truth that the real spirit of
the people there is practically unchang-
ed by theSoverthrow OF their armies.
1t comes ont in holder display daily rs
it is famed into new life by "a hope in
spired by the leaders, returned from
thearny to politics, who encourage the
belief that the victory lost on the field
may vet be retrieved in tue FORUM
Similar manifestations are found here,
but in the far South, this species OF re-
belIion is bold and undisguised, because
popular, while here 1t Is just the re-
verse. Here 1t is deemed advisable 10
make professions OF loyalty to the
Union, while warning on those who
were its friends and defenders whilst
these same copperheads were fighting
lis armies in front and rear. Such pro-
fessions ought TO deceive no one.
We find that the cOpperhead party OF
West Virginia Is composed First, OF
persons who spent n term in the rebel
army or in bushwhacking service, and
now return to resume their places at
the bar, to edit conservative news
papers, aud to repossess other places OF
honor and trust, until they are elected,
delegates and Senators, Governors and
Congressman. Second, ofthose who
simply aYowed their rebel sentiments,
voted for the ordnance ofsecession, and
stayed ut home and fought against the
Union cause in flank and rear. Third,
or few tolerRbly honest, loyal men
who seek To restore the era Of peace and
good feeling and labor under the delu-
sion that Il can be done by apolicy Of
concession, to those who destroyed that
era OF good feeling and whose policy is
now as II has always been, one of eff
fronteFy and aggression. And, fourth,
IL is composed OF men whose actions are
not controlled by any fixed principles
save The selfish instinct OF personal ag-
grnndizenent or advancement, who
suppose they may ride to success on
this disaGected movement.
The first object OF this combination is
10 carrythe Spring elections. so as TO
secure the minor offices throughout the
State, especially the supervisors and
inspectors of elections. With this van
tIige ground, they propose to make a
concerted effort next summer to so far
divide and demoralize the Union senE-
lnent OF the State as TO elect their tick
cts next October for members OF Con-
gress, members of the Legislature and
state officers, and TO defeat, of course
the constitutional amendment.
That this Is the programme admits oil
no question. Considered in connection
with the past, or even with duo regard
to present surroundings, It cannot be
considered very modest one; but mod
esty is never down on the bills of the
men engaged in this enterprise. The
nudacity ofthe project Is indeed regard
ed by them, as an element of success,
and perhaps II Is, They have nothing
TO lose and everything 70 gain; and
there is nothing likethe genius OF de
ciston, whether you're right or wrong
We wish the leaders OF the Union party
fully appreciated this fact or always
acted up to that Appreciation.
Surprising the success OF this pro.
gramme posslble-and we cannot sup
pose SO except for tho sake of illustra
tion-we should presentth most extra
ordinary spectacle OF a party which
unitcdiy and tiercely opposed the crea;
tion OF the new State OF West Virginia
holding its offices from highest to low.
est, aud welding its influence and pat.
ronage against all who advocated it
creation and advocated aud fought fol
the integrity. of the Government with,
out which its existence was impossible
Remembering the state of things TIM
existed in Virginia befor,
the war when a party composed o
these same men and animated by thu
same purposes was in power, we car
readily understand how uncomfortable
even yet, they would soon make it her
for loyal West yirginians, and how
these men would use their power, no
tenderly, as 1t is used now, but with l
lnerciless purpose to revenge them
selves and crush every man who stoot
in the way OF their success in undoinE
all the work of the last four years, and
dcstIoying what has been bought will
the most precious blood of our loyal
people. AFa