The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1874-10-29
The Opposition Reviewed.
From the Address of tae Union Republican
Committee.

i From the Address of the Union Republican
Committee.
You have seen the shortcomings of that
party in administration. It's fau Is in oppo-
sitiun have been still more glazing. Perhaps
they can be forgiven for allowing the ship of
State to drift SO near the rocks. But how
can they be forgiven their struggles to pre-
vent her from being snatched from that peril?
That charity, which delights to think no evil,
may excusetheir omission to lift the country;
upon the plea OF incompetency. But not
cy in their persistent efforts to prevent the
country from being lifted. The world does
not resent, but rather pities. the helpless
crew under whose seamanship Jesus sailed
they could not still the winds which threat
ened to sink tie ship. But if they had at
tempted to throw the Savior overheard when
he appeared to rebuke those impious winds,
the world would have known no pity for the
crew. And that Is the great Democratic
Cffense which still smells to heaven not
that they did nothing for the country, bu:
that they fercely opposed everything that
was done for the comfy 1t would rot be
quite true to say that the Democratic party
opposed the national effort to suppress the
rebellion that would have been high trea-
son 1T would be quite as far from the truth
n co thof thar pr0rootod oAosA /.
rebellion could not have lasted two years
had the Democratic party continued in that
patriotic purpose which Douglas for season
inspired. But Douglas died, and so did that
purpose
With sagacity, a steadfastLess, and q
clearness Of vision which, If employed in a
good cause, would be OF ir esimable value
the Democratic party found that covert
narrow, and devious way which lay between
loyalty and treason, and they pursued that
wsv from he middle of the year 1862 TO the
end of the war, always avoiding the rebuke
of their country's laws and also the reproach
of heir country's foes.
there may have been some excuse 1t NAV
have sprung from lack of faith and pot from
want of love. They professed TO believe the
rebellion invincblc, and, If they really be-
lieved SO, they could hardly be expected to
display much zeal in a struggle they believed
to be hopeless. The spirits are rare and very
choice who lead forlorn hope with anything
like gayety. But those who lead real
hope. no meter how forlorn, and do not
merely follow dread, are not apt to look
so dismal as these Democrats did when the
rebellion was finally crushed
Possibly, however. even that singular
detection was but the effect of modification
al their own misjudgment and want of pre-
vision. But when the rebellion was crushed
and they were invited to aid In removing
ITS ca use, AS well as cause for future rebel
Ions, by abolishing slavery. they refused to
DO that How can that refusal be excused
or forgiven The great act of emancipation.
while it is the grandest in history, is also
the least expensive. It cost nothing but a
vote, yet even this they refused to give. By
simply writing Eyes" upon their ballots, in.
s'ead of "no," they knew they could give
freedom to four millions of human beings.
They were sure of victory if they said eyes -
they could only hope for victo1y If they said
"no"-and yet they said "no." It was a
mere question of volition The question
was squarely put to them after thew had
been led shuddering clear through the Red
sea and stood dry on the other shore-atood
100, in that marvellous blaze which irradiates
the nineteenth century as it sinks into the
twentieth-tbey were plainly asked care
You willing the bond should be free ?'' and
they said mo-" When is that generation
coming, and whence is it coming, that shall
excuse or forgive that lmpious refusal +?
And when, in spite of Democratic resist
ance the bond had been made FREQ and Sc
cured against return to slavery BY an
amendment to the Federal Constitution,
this same opposition was asked once more.
May the freedmen become citizens and be
admitted to civil rights ?" And again the
answer was "no."
And when. in spite Of that resistance, the
freedmen had been made citizens the Democ.
racy was asked, MAY these citizens. though
they be- black, have the protection Of the
ballot which the law benignly grants to all
cltlzeps, however humble, of every other
color ~ And again the answer was MOI
And when the Kuklux, armed with brand
and bludgeon, hunted the new-made citizen
by night. hunted him through swamps and
pursued him to death when the local au
thorlties stood pow rless in the presence Of
organized murder and arson, and this oppo-
sitton was appealed to to lend the protection
of the national tribunals to the Victims of
such incarnate hate, they still Knocked at
such calamities and refused all relief
t. t.