Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1868-10-08
The Democratic Party During the
War.

Hon. Matt. Carpenter native OF YER
mont, and son-in-law Of Ex-Gov Dilling-
ham, in letter written TO Wisconsin
paper, explains and iustifcs his course in
political matters. From this letter we
quote the following:
My steady support of the Democratic
party prior to the war, was and is well
known. ! was educated 10 believe that
true Democracy, taught by jefferson, con
sisted in the greatest good to the greatest
number, without regard to nationality,
race or color. In this belief | supported
its candidates. II | was mistaken i'll this
then | was acting under a mistake of fact
which would authorize a Court of Equity
to relieve me from the consequence OF the
votes cast for that party. But however
this may have been. the war raised i'm
issue above party politics. 1t was then
evident that there could be but two
classes of American citizens, those who
supported and those who opposed the
Government At first it was my hope and
expectation that Democrats, under the
lead of Douglas, would cspousc the side
of the Government. aud uuitedly aid III
suppressing the rebellion. Tho first
speeches | made were III company with
out-and-out Democrats AT a flag raising
in Milwaukee. IN the sprng OF 1861, |
spoke from the same stand with Hon.
James 5. Brown, subsequently with Hon.
George T. Smith, at Elkhorn, and after
wards with Hon. II. l.. Palmer, at Fond
du Lac In these speeches we all nd
v0catcd the old Democratic doctrine OF
standing by the Government and sending
armies against rebels. These meeting,
were held for the purpose OF encouraging
cnlistments TO I'LL up our regiments.
Soon after the meeting AT Fond du Lac
however. there WAS meeting Of lev
Democrats IN Milwaukee. to which | wa
not invited, where Is | understand, |
was determined that some check must b
PLACED upon the popular currents whicl
seemed TO be moving in favor Of the gov
eminent, lest they should lead To sup
port uf Mr. Iincoln's administration, am
thus damage. the interests Of the demo
cratic party This was in 1862. At thi
meeting il was resolved to- call q Stat
Convention to show all the Democrat
what Democracy was, and TO call bac
those whose patriotic impulses had lie
them too far in advance This Convcr
ton met and adopted an address whic
disclosed the fact that no man could syn
pAthilr with the government and d,
nounr the rebellion without being g
Guided from the Democratic folds | la
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