New-York tribune., 1868-10-20
ADDRESS

ADDRESS
,s D-4ecras ni0 keep step 10 the maSic Of Union.
PrIIOw-C CITIZENS We are of those who, when the
liza Of the Union assailed, were designated War
pemccrats because we insisted that the Union must
hs saved even at the cost of blood. We could not
~ other than War Democrats, when war was waged
far the avOwed puprose of dividing and virtually
dcstroying our country. We were Union Democrats
hen 90 be so subjected the reproach OF loving
and ohorishing Slavery. We were still Union Demo-
Gratis whom TO be so exposed 10 obloQuy seeking
the violent subversion of Slavery The principles Of
teferson Madison. and Jackson, were and ours
hey have been freshly and nObly illustrated in conn
ell by our amented Dickinson, Douglas, and Brough;
and ia the field by Philip Kearney, John sedgwck,
Jsaac l. Stevens and their compatriots We will not
speak in praise of the living; but there is no man
worship in the proud tear that we give to the mem
ory of our patriot dead.
Secession was an appeal from the ballot 10 the bull
let 1t was an attempt to establish by forco dogmas
which had been charged upon the Democratic Party
by ita enemies necessarily resulting Iom ITS prin-
cipes but which that party had always dlSchlmed,
and had in sustaining Gen. JacksOn's resistance 10
Notification, practically repudiated Having then
shown that Democracy is not Notification, we have
In our day been called 10 prove that 1t IS not Dis
uniou. We regard the demonstration rs conclusive.
Whom the struggle Of our fathers for redress Of
grievances had resulted In the recognition of their
Independence. that large minority of the American
People who had mistakenly but conscientiously ad-
hered TO the British Crown forever abandoned THE
Lost Cause" They ceased to be Brtons OF ROyalists
and became republican Americans. 1.-The Right Di-
vine of Kings to govern wrong was thenceforth no
part of their creed. They melted into the mass Of
their oountrymen attached themselves to one or the
other of the parties into which those countrymen
were soon divided and had thenceforth no distinct
existence AS wise and good citizens they could
do no otherwise They had no longer valid reason
for remaining distinctiyely Tories. and they acted
accordingly.
Such should have been the course of our misguided
countTymen, who plunged or were drawn into the
Southern Rebellion. That Rebellion having been
put down, they should have been foremost III seek
ing to consgn its bitter memories TO oblivion. n
grea. majority of them have tit 10 take very
different course Even in Statesythat adhered to the
Union. ike Kentucky aad Maryland. they have
chosen to band together and dictate platforms and
candidates to the only party they deem worthy OF
their favor OF support In States further South not
content with monopOlizng power they insist on re-
yiyinR dogmas and aegravating distinctions which
have no rQhtful relation to existing conditions While
Slavery existed it neither practicable nor safe
In treat even Free Blacks in Slave States as entitled
To the rights of men, To educate them receive their
Testimony against Whites and allow them 10 keep
and bear arms, to aggravate the dangers OF a
condition alreadylfur of peril. Sensible men might
regret and even condemn the necessity on' NOT the
Regulation which simply recognized and coniormed
to IT..
Bat the war having resulted in tile overthrow
of slsyery every act conceived in and inlpeled by
tbe splrit of the defunct institution was wanton
s,,aut ON the triumphant Union. lt said 70 the VIC
tors You had power Ito free the slaves; but We
have power TO makeStheir freedom curse 10 them"
IL WA new war waged against the Republic IN the
person of the weakest and humblest Of her loyal
shildrsn II inaugurated oppression aud social
snstchy at the South, while it necessarily revived
dissatisfaction and bitterness at the North.
We long observed this in silence, but not without
regret We hoped that il would pass away with the
notification of unexpected defeat the pangs Of
ksenly felt disappointment, the chagnn oi lish-
raised expectations suddenly blasted Instead Of
this matters have steadily tended from bad 10 worse
until theyculmnated in the late Democratic National
Conventon in the nomination for President OF can
idso whose course throughout the War was IN strik-
ing contrast to that of Gen. Dix and Democrats Oh
h,s scbool; with nominee for Nice-President VINO
owed his selection wholly 70 his fresh dchDers'e
recommendation that the next President shonld un-
dert.ke 70 subvert existing State Governments and
nuilify acts Of Congress by naked force without
even pretense of legislative OF judicial authority
for 40 doing There is precedent Tor so reckless
proposition from an exalted source to enthrone an
arcy and light afresh the fires of civil war; even be-
fore the houses have been rebuilt which our late wal
laid in ashes.
We have waited patiently for the correction o.
arrors which if left uncorrected must prove fatal To
their indorsers We have waited III vain. Even the
late signal manifestations of public sentiment which
the blind can scarcely misresd, have wrought nc
amendment The machinery OF the Democratic
Party. a. now organized. is welded by men who ap-
proved Gen. Blairs letter ito BrOdhead, conformed
30 Rebel dictation in the adjustment of then plat
form. and justify the murders at Camilla. They
profier us no alternative but this Either confess
that We were wrong IN resisting Secession and DIS
union. or support Gen. Grant for President We de-
eide to stand by the Union, and vote for Grant.
Yours truly. HIRAM WALBRIDGE,
On behalfof many Hof Democrats