Daily Kennebec journal., 1875-08-26

ina. party III lne NOrtn WHICH Was dCtlnk
in concert with jeff Davis to destroy the
government We do not state the case
too strongly. The copperhead party was
the ally of JeffDayis, the foe ofthc Union,
the enemy OF the national flag, an efficient
agent in the prolongation of the war and
the sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of
lives and vast sums that went to swell the
national debt to its huge proportions.
Let us see what the rebels themselves
said upon that matter. In 1864 Alexan-
der II. Stephens wrote to leading men,
bers of the Georgia legislature concerning
the democratic party as follows
"The action of the Chicago convention, so far
as its platform Of principles goes, presents, as
have said on another occasion, q ray of light
which under Providence, may prove the dawn Of
day to this long and cherries night, the first ray
of light have seen from the North since the wal
began. This cheers the heart and towards il
could almostexclsim: Hail holy light, offspring
of Heaven, first born of the ETERNAL co-eternal
beam. May express thee unbalanced. since God
is light Indeed could have quite so exclaimed
but for the sad reflection that whether it shall
bring healing in its beams or be lost in dark and
omnous eclipse ere its good work be done de,
pends 80 much upon the actions Of others who
may not regard it and view it as do. So at best
it is but ray, . small and tremulous ray, enough
only to gladden. the heart and quicken the hope.
That was the sentiment of the Vice
President OF the Rebel Confederacy. the
man who stood next to Jefferson Davis
in its councils and administration. Mr..
Stephens. in letter to Thos. ] Semmes.
in speaking Of the Chicago Convention
and its desire for convention of States,
said:
"There is no prospect Of such proposition be-
ing rendered, unless Mcclellan should be elected
He cannot be elected without carrying sufficient
number of the States, which, if united with those
Of the Confederacy, would make majority of the
States. In such q convention then, so formed
have we not strong reasons to hope and expect
that resolution could be passed, denying the
stitutonal power of the Government, under the
compact Of 1887, to coerce Statei The Chicago
platform virtually does this already. Are there
not strong reasons, at least, to induce us to hope
and believe that they might? If that could be
done it would end the war. 1t would recognize
As the fundamental principle Of American institu-
tons the ultimate, absolute sovereignty of the
several States. This fully coyers our indepcnd-
ence-as fully as wish ever to see it covered.
s* sat*
Won will a1a0 allow mo IN hot n ipok
the election of Mcclellan as matter of vast inn
portance to us in every view Of the case, and
hence thought it judicious, patriotic and wise, to
do everything that could be properly done to aid
in his election. Whatever may be his individual
opinion, he is the candidate of the State Rights
party of the North, in opposition to the eentrasts
and con'olidationists, whose hobby now is aboli-
tionism. 4 have thought from the beginning, that
our true policy was to build up and strengthen
such party at the North by all means IN our
power" ssr- +f@gtsKt8 -tts Z
And so we might continue toquote from
other prominent rebels to prove that they
the democratic party. with
which General Roberts was in full fellow
ship, as their ally against the United States
government. Let us see what was thought
upon this point ON the Union side. g Mr..
Lincoln in 1864 said: 7sfs wo+B
81 do not think it is personal vanity or ambi-
ton, though l am not free from these nfrmities
but cannot but feel that the veal or woe Of this
great nation will be decided in November. There
is no programme offered by any wing of the dem
ocratic party but that must result in the perma.
nent destruction Of the Union" '-i i-A'+
In q letter to Hon. L. b. Washburne.
dated Aug l6, 1864, General Grant thus
refers to Confederate hopes of a demo-
cratic triumph in the North;
"a have no doubt but that the enemy are ex-
ceedngly anxious 10 hold out until after the Pres
idental election. They. have many hopes fiom
its effects They hope for counter revolution
they hope for the election Of peace candidate
in fact like Mcawber. they hope for something
to turn up. Our peace friends, If they expect
peace from separation, are much mistaken. 1t
would be but the beginning of war, with thou
sands of Northern men joining the South, because
of our disgrace in allowing separation. To have
peace on any TERMS the South would demand a
restoration Of their slaves already freed. They
would demand indemnity for losses sustained, and
they would demand treaty that would make the
North slave hunters for the South They would
demand pay or the RESTORATION of every slave es-
Gaping to the North"
' All the leading Union Generals agreed
in the opinion that p democratic triumph
in 1864, would be the success Of the Con-
federacy. Thus from prominent men on
both sides in the contest we have it estab-
llished that democracy and rebellion was
one in purpose, spd;that purpose was po
less than the overthrow of this govern
ment--the permanent disruption of the
Union.
If it was ''patriotic" in General Roberts