Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-06-06

to caucus of Democratic members, and even
the late Vice President of the Confederacy is
howled down if, with far'seeing patriotism,
he opposes Revolutionary designs Then,
fresh memories warned men that rebel in
arms was tier, as well as braver, than a
Northern Copperbead. Now, Northern Cop
perheads are marshalling all that is dangerous,
base or dishonorable, for a new assault upon
the Nations peace-the defeated, who are
still vindictive, the hungry Southern claim
ants and spoilsmen, the rsvenous wolves of
party at the North, the Communists, rioters
and tramps, who used the pistol in the coal
regions, and the torch at Pittsburgh-and yet
they expect that those who decorate the
graves of patriots dead, will lift no hand to
strike down traitors living.
On this day, partisanship should be dumb.
But patriotism should think, resolve and
speak. Any form of partisanship which
wars against the Constitution, and threatens
to subvert free institutions, is summoned this
day into the presence of the sacred dead, and
there branded as treason. Against it must
stand arrayed, not smother party, but the
whole body of liberty loving and law obeying
men and women Of this land. We dishonor
those who fought for law, if we fail to mark
as traitors those who resist law. 1t is not q
time to mince words. Could decorated graves
this day give up their dead, what words
would the Nations heroes have fer such men
as Mr.. Tilden vino instigates, and Mr.. Potter
who excuses the new rebellion? Would they
not say, "You are to-day what you were in
1862? ?" What the dead would say, every
living patriot, of whatever party, ought now
and henceforth to declare. by words and
deeds, of every man who threatens the peace
of the country and the supremacy of law.
Patriotic feeling may slumber, but is not
dead. Memories of the past may be blunted
by time or dimmed by partisanship; hopeful
and busy people may be far too unready to
realize that the Constitution and the law are
still menaced by old foes, scarcely disguised.
But it will not be well for those who count
upon assent or indifference of the people to
revolutionary schemes. The awaking will be
quicker than it was in 1861, and the wrath
more lasting and terrible. The instant it be-
comes clear to the people of the North that
new rebellion against law is preparing, there
will be a swift reckoning with all who have
part in it. Partisanship will be stripped off
as men would strip off pest-infected clothing.
The Nation will not daily with legal quibbles
as in 1861, nor wait to receive blow before
lifting hand. The patriotism of the Northern
Ctates knows its power now, and also its
danger. 1t eanger is only from the plotters
of treason at the North, who palter with
honor, and seek to hide their aims until re-
sistance is too late. But the stern loyalty of
these Northern States is stronger, because
wiser and more watchful, than il was ia 1860.
We have faith that it will speak in time, and
so speak that all men will hear. Bending
over graves in which lie the fathers, husbands
brothers and sons who went out to save the
country, and came not back, the loyalty of
the North will think to-day Of the danger
which draws Lear, of the duty to be done,
and of the many precious lives which might
have been saved, had duty been done more
promptly when rebellion first lifted the hand
against the Constitution and the law.-[New
York Tribune, May 80.