New-York tribune., 1868-06-09


Rebellion, founded as it was on Slavery, which
is the perfection Of brute force, countenanced
too by that portion of the Northern people in
whom brute force and party passion predomi-
mated over intelligence and patriotism, and
enlisting in its behalf the politicians
who had enjoyed most personal ascendan-
cy in the Government itself. The Re-
bellion could safely count on all the
strength that brute force, party passion, and
personal ambition could lend to cause.
Against these influences the triumph of the
Union Armies was O victory not of brute force,
but of "bran force" of regiments, brigades,
and divisions of intelligent men, not in the
first stages of the war so skillfuly, faithfully,
or zealously led as the Rebel armies, but at all
times composed of men of humaner impulses
and more enlightened patriotism, the product
of free schools, free press, and universal
industry The Union armies assaied
the strOnghOlds of the Rebels, IN
which the latter were fighting on the defensive,
throughout the largest territory ever fought
over in one war, and in cause whose nature
was such that nothing was final victory for the
one side except the absolute extinction of the
other II is not remarkable that under such
Union Army should have exceeded those of the
Rebel forces. 1t could not be otherwise. Nor
does the fact that the Union cause arrayed III
its defense tho heaviest batalons, the best guns,
and the longest purse, argue that brute force
conquered, but on the contrary, that IN nation
of freemen the cause of liberty, of civilization,
and the rights of men, will gather to the de-
Tense of it's standards whether at the polls or
on the battlefield, the greatest number OF in
telligent men, and the greatest force of brain,
will, virtue, and wisdom.
Conscious that the Republican party, in nomi-
mating Gen. Grant, have not only sought to
obtain a good and trustworthy Chief Execu-
tive, but to pay tribute of national gratitude
to the Armies OF the Union in the person OF
their chief. the Copperhead press are running over
with ridicule of the war, jeers for its motives
and leaders, and sneers for the achievements
of all engaged in it. Such a course IL an adj
mission that the Republican nomination and
ticket do as Gen. Grant declares, express the
feelings of those who sustained the country
during its recent trials"
The rebuke of such ridcule, jeers, and sneers
can be administered by none so eifectually as
by the half a million or million veterans of the
be remembered that when, in the first national
campaign of the Republican party, in 1886, the
Democratic party heralded the threat that the
election of Fremont would be followed by the
secession of the Southern States, the effect OF
thus openly challenging the muscle and courage
of the North was to muster our able-bodled
young men into the ranks of the Wide-Awakes,
a semi-military organization, prophetic OF the
armies of the Union which followed the cleo
ton of Lincoln. Far more than the strength
which was given 10 the Republican cause by
the organization and turn n-Out of the Wide
Awakes in 1S56-G0 would now be derived from the
introduction into the present campaign OF grand
professions of the veterans of the War for the
Union, reassembling clothed in the faded and
worn army blue and under the torn and latter
ed ensigns which they bore through the bat
ties blast We shall do well TO revive the
recollections of the times that tried mems souls,
now so recent, and which some would not only
| forget but would ungratefuly erase from the
| page of history, as II IL moru important 10
| be on good terms with those who fought to
! destroy the Union than to remember those who
fought to preserve it. Let us also afford our
Union Armies an opportunity TO show what are
! the sentiments of those "who sustained the
Union in it's recent trials" Let the strong masses
of the Republican party, as well ms its orators
and politicians. he heard seen, and felt in this
campaign. If the Democratic party choose,
they may indeed initiate our tactics by like inn
! posing professions in the South, of those who
! figured in the anti-negro and asylum burning
riots in 1868, and the anti-draft demonstrations
in various parts of the North, in the Winter of
! 1854. That is their matter. But il this is TO
be campaign on behalf of a Government,
of the people, by the people, and for the peo-
"ple," We would like to see it so organized that
the most effective and patriotic element of the
people could take part in it,