The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-09-27

before they would be permitted to
invade the South. 1t was thus that
they, and not Southern orators alone,
"hred the Southern heart" and in
duced the masses of the Southern
people to acquiesce in the seces-
sion measures Of 1861. They had
been taught that Northern demo-
Gratis would be their allies, and they
would not heed the men of their own
section who refused to accept that
theory.
But IN 1860, Notwithstanding that
secession and war would be the OBJ
Vlous results of the success of the
republican party, we cannot forget
that the leaders of the Northern de-
mocracy divided their party into
two factions; that they would per-
NIT no compromise between these,
but labored necessarily to widen the
breach, and that, too, when the
certainty of producing republican
success and its disastrous conse-
quences stared them in the face.
We cannot forget how fercely the
leaders of both these factions de-
nounced all who strove to bring
about compromises and consolida-
tions nor how earnestly they belittled
and abused such as predicted the d.
sasters to the country which must
follow as the consequence of the
disruption of the party. But we
confess that we did not then believe
that these men were the execrable
mlscreants which time has since
proved them to be.
Having stimulated the South to Sc
cede in the event Of Mr.. Lincoln's e,ec-
tion, instead Of coming bravely for
word after that event occurred and seek
ing to prevent the war, they only labor
ed to delay preparations for carrying it
on effectively until the entire South was
fully committed to it. Then they sud-
denly changed fronts and sought to re-
tain their popularity by avowing loyalty
to the Union. Yet, even after this,
they continued to hinder the prosecu-
ton of the war and did very much to
aid in prolonging for four years and
three months contest which ought not
to have continued half that time. Why
| Gid they pursue this course? Let the
facts answer that question. Most of
| the prominent democratic leaders of
that day, and who are still controlling
spirits in the democratic organization,
grew wealthy in consequence of the
war! And the great owner and direc-
! tor of the policy Of that. party, Mr..
August Belmont, has amassed countless
millions Of wealth because of the ma
tion's calamity!
Were these men actuated by sordid
motives when, from 1857 till 1861, they
were laboring to bring about the war?
Possibly not, but when the war began
we found them prepared to take advan-
tage of the opportunities it offered for
amassing wealth, and we have, there
fore, the right to believe that they an
ticipated this occurrence. AS against
themselves, we are willing to give them
the benefit Of the doubt and acquit
them Of treason; but when the integrity
and safety Of the nation Is involved, we
cannot but regard it as the height of
folly to restore them to power and again
entrust to their keeping the destinies of
a people they have deceived, betra yed
and labored to irretrievably ruin.
They claim that their party has re-
formed. But suppose we admit it; is
it not still our imperative duty to de-
mand that they shall prove their refor-
nation, beyond all doubt Or dispute, be-
fore we again place them in positions
of power?