The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-06-22
Cite Uribuuf.
EUMOR IN POLITICS.

The opinions of Mr.. ValIandigham ar
only important as being those OF the mos
malignant of copperheads during the war
who would gladly have seen the govern
ment overthrow and the supremacy OF
slavery assured Six years having elapsed
since the surrender at Appomattox, Mr..
Vallandigham was ascertaired that the
Union has been maintained and slavery
abolished, and he suspects that the coun-
try has no present intention of undolng
the work of the war as embodied In the
settlements. He has, therefore, ISSUED a
manifesto. which his friends of the Mo-
bile Register, and others of the same
sympathy, will ruefully ponder. 1t is an
exceedingly lively and discursive docu-
ment, which might be summarized In this
manner.
Whereas the Democratic party is composed of those
who durin the late active passive sup
porters the rebelion and whereas it is reasonable
that the opinions OF there persons I'M
changed; and whereas rational liberation does not
require that any booy should not continue to hold
those resolved that being ofopin-
ion that the wicked and unconstitutional
assault upon constitutional rights and the settlement
tyraunical usurpaton, we cordially invited all Re.
publicans to unite with us in accepting the amend
ments valid, and in restoring to power.
Mr.. Vallandigham proceeds to resolve
that the late amendments have enlarged
and to pledge the Democratic party to
1.-THE enforcement of the Constitution as it
now is, so as to secure equal rights to all
persons without distinction of race. color
and condition, and then protests against
the legislation Of Congress to secure those
rights-a protest which, from Mr.. Vallan
digham, is like the resolutions of his
friends during the rebellion, which APP
proved the war and denounced all meas
ures for carrying it on Finally, he re-
solves that the Republican party is no
longer the Republican party nor the Union
party, but merely an administrationparty.
But the happily relrains from resolving
that the Democratic is really the kepub-
lican party, leaving that great truth to
the imagination Of he reader.
The manifesto of MIR. Vallandigham is
feeler. The utter absurdity and hope
lessness of the Democratic position are
apparent even TO him. and he therefore
proposes this humorous Acknowledgement
of the facts of the situation. But he does
not save himself, nor can be save his par
ty. For the case is very simple. The
country will maintain the settlements.
The Southern wing Of the Democratic
party denounces them. The Northern
wing agrees that they are unlawful and
IL L. L - L,
dUbIultldDlS, DlI DessS Tue EOubilSiu III JILL
ers to keep quiet to ride over the elect
ion. The Republican party, which made
the settlements, is unit In their main
tenance Why, then, should the country
choose the party which contains all the
elements of hostility to the amendments
ard which either declares it or keeps ST.
lerce merely to obtain power? The
question of the campaign Of 1872 will be,
which is the greater risk for the country
the re-opening of the issues Of recon-
stiuction, or the continued ascendency of
the Republican party? For, even il the
Democratic Convention should declare
It's acquiescence, the country knows ex-
actly the elements of the party, an tha.
four years ago Its Convention promo god
he settlements unconstitutional, re2vlu
tionaIy and void. -Harper's Weekly.