North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1868-10-14
Patriot Generals.

| "sAAoS oeHcTuISs
In late grant turnout of Democratic
ex-soldiers and civilians at indianapolis
there were thousands Of "White Boys in
Blue. Many eminent Democratic heroes
were unable to attend. Their letters in
reply to invitations were received and
read. Rosccrans, Rosseau, McClernand
and many other officers wrote letters
deserving publication in types of gold.
We give below the admirable letter of
Gen. Buel. The English language con-
tains nothing excclling it. Read it and
then read it again put it in your scrap
book teach it to your children. 1t is q
history, a platform of principles, the cx-
hortation Of a patriot, the production of a
schclar-it is everything that is grand, and
massive in language, rich and noble in
political thought. We have read nothing
that equals it.
AIRDRiE, KY, Sept. Is. 1868.
My engagements will not permit me to;
accept your invitation to attend the demo-
cratic mass convention to be held at In
dianapolis, on the 23d inst; but l am
interested in its object and shall rejoice in
its success.
Eight years ago, the republican and
democratic parties contended for the
administration of the government in the
election of president. The first,
organized solely upon sectional issues,
APPEALED Tor support to passion and sectional
prcjudices. Its leaders taught that
dissolution of the union was preferable to
conditions which the constitution had
established and pledged themselves to
hold no intercourse in society, business,
or politics, with the principal class of
citizens in the opposite sccton,-an
attitude which could mean nothing but
disunion or sectional war. In its public
demonstrations it initiated a military
organization, and with threatening
motives, beating drums, and warikc tread,
it filled the air with the premonitory
mutterings of battlefield.
Opposed to this revolutionary spirit
stood the great democratic party. which
for an almost entire period of 60 years
had administered the government with a
wisdom and fidelity which were attcsted
by the general welfare. Unfortunately;
the sectional passions which had been
aroused disturbed its councils and divided
its strength; and its opponent, represent
ing minority Of the people, triumphed
at the polls. War came. The north and
south were arrayed in deadly conflict
against each other; but it was not among
the mass of the democratic party that the
idea of dissolution was entertained, for,
while more than one faitered of those in
the opposite party who had helped to stir
up the strife, thousands of democrats
instantly rushed to arms to preserve the
union and maintain the laws.
1t would be useless to revive these
memories at this time, for the purpose of
melting out in just proportion the re-
sponsibility of the conflict which ended
four years ago but in tracing the causes
and devising remedy for the evils which
now Cypress the nation, they are full of
fitness. Today, these parties again stand
opposed to each other in presidential
canvass. The characteristics which dis
tinguished them eight years ago are even
more marked now. The one, arrogant,
despotic, revolutionary reckless of con-
sttutional restrictions, of the respective
prerosativcs of the government, of the
rights of the states and the liberties of the
people; still by prohiSacy and wrong
augmcnting public debt already enor.
nous, and increasing the burthens upon
industry and trade by unnecessary and
taxation; the other, faithful as
always to the theory of our government
and the true interests of the people, stands
forth to remove oppression and restore the
constitution to its just authority. If there
is anything in our past history worth
cheering; if it is true that the liberties of
Il people are safer under inviolate consti-
tu'ional rules than under the arbitrary
dictaticn OF any government, still more
under an unlimited power arrosated by
one branch of it, then the people of this
country cannot too soon decree change
in the present management of it's affairs.
A return to the support Of democratic
principles, by those whom influences which
it is unnecessary here to describe have
reduced into an unnatural poll .ical
association with the radical party, will
effect this great object, in November; and
trust that the strength and enthusiasm
of your convention will add anoter to
the many encouraging Indications that
such will be the result.
With great respect, your obelient serv-
ant, d. c. BUELL..