New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-25
TILE pEcEIrFuLNEss or HISTORY.


Is it possible that we have been mistaken
all tbs time as to who actually did take part
in the war on the side Of the Union and put
down tie Rebellion We have supposed all
along thar as it was a republican administra-
ton and Republican policy, 50 It was for the
most part Republican soldiers who fought in
the armies of the Union. But if Il
gushing orator named Gallagher, who
swung his arms aud pumped thunder the
other day in the Connecticut Democratic Con-
vention, is to be believed, it was not Republic
cans AT all but Democrats who put down the
Rebellion. This veracious thunder-pumper is
reported to have gwen rs the reason for the
Democratic defeat in 1865-when, the cleo
ton being held or the day the news
of the fall of Richmond was received,
the Republicans carried the State by
1000 majority-that so many Demo
Gratis were absent from the State II the Union
Army, the Republicans carried 1t by default
This is altogether fresh and new. Nothing so
startling in its originality has been uttered
since the campaign opened.
And so it was from the Democratic party
that the Connecticut regiments were recruitedP
And it was because OF their absence from
home that the Republicans were able to carry
the State so many years in succession 2
And the impression that has heretofore pre-
vailed concerning the election of 1865, that
the Connecticut Democrats were discouraged
by the news from Richmond and did not
come out to vote, is altogether wrong! Well,
well, this is queer. And this Mr. William w.
Eaton, who presided over the Connecticut
Convention the other day--there has been
prevailing delusion that he did not par
ticularly favor the war. or assist ma
terially in putting down the Rebellion. His
tory must be mirage after all. 1t presents
everything bottom-side up. Why, if any
dependence could be placed on history, we
should have TO believe that MIR. Eaton was
engaged in raising white flags and address
ing peace meetings and advising Democrats
not to enlist in the unholy crusade against
"our brethren of the South during the
war. And we seem to somehow vaguely re-
member a record of the thunder-pumping
Gallagher in that period as of IN opponent
of all war measures, and especially of
the draft. We recall-this must be be--a
man who gained the soubuquet of "Kil-'em
Dam-'em" Gallagher from the imprisoned
manner in which he advised Democrats to re-
sist Federal officers to the death.
So, so, this is is all a mistake. Mr. Eaton
and Mr.. Gallagher were in favor of q vigorous
prosecution of the war, and the Democrats of
Connecticut, influenced by their celebrations,
focked into the armies Of the Union at such
rate that in the last year of the war the Re-
pubicans were left in majority of IL 900
in the State! And here they are running q
Union General for President on the score of
his great services in putting down the Rebel
lion. How false all history is, to DO sure
And how slow the truth is IN coming to the
front. The delusion no doubt still fingers in
many minds that the persons who
set on foot the Rebellion founded
the Confederate Government, recruited
and differed its armies and fought its battles
were Democrats. This will presently be dis
PEELED. We shall learn very shortly that the
Rebellion was the work of the Repu bicans,
and that the Democrats vanquished them.
The campaign Is young yet, and the truthful
Gallagher has only just begun to pump thun-
der. Wait little, and We shall see what a
mira pe all history L.