The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1885-11-08
An ABSURD REPUBLICAN CLAIM.

D,
To the Editor OF The Sunday Herald:
SIR: In last Sundays HERALD took occasion to
enter my protest against the claim OF the old
abolitionsts to special honors on account of the
abolition OF slavery In the United States, and now,
while my hand Ii In, wish to put myself on record
also touching the not less absurd pretension OF the
Republican press and most of the leaders OF that
party that 1t was their party that put down the
Rebellion and preserved the Union. Nothing is
further from the truth. True, the administration
during the war was In Republican hands; but 1t
encountered as much opposition to Its from
members OF that party az 1t did from dissenting
Democrats. There were many croakers OF both
parties, and here and there copperhead" whose
conduct was more or less embarrassing to the
administration; but as regards the determination
to conquer the Rebellion there was no division either
Of sentiment or action on the part OF the great body
OF the people OF ali parties Sofar the Democratic
party was concerned, Its leaders, with few excep.
ons, and the rank and file Of that party outside the
seeding States, were true to the Union cause and
as efficient In support OF the war as were any OF
their fellow-citzens, no matter OF what party. on
this point the following extract of a letter to me
from ex-President Buchanan s In point:
WHEATLAHD, September IS, 1861.
MY DEAR SIR: think can perceive In
the public mind more axed rcsolute. and deter
mined purpose than ever to prosecute the war to a
successful termination with all the men and means
In our power. Enlistments are now proceeding
much more rapidly than few weeks ago, and am
truly glad of It. The time has passed for offering
States. We well know that under existing clrcum-
stances they would accept OF nothing less than
recognition OF their Independence, which II is mpos-
sble that we should grant. There is time for all
things under the sum but surely this is not the
ment for paralyzing the arm OF the National Admin
istration by suicidal conflict among ourselves but
for bold, energetic, and united action. The Demo.
cratic party has ever been DEVOTED to the Consttu
tion and the Union, and rejoice that among the
many thousands who have rushed to their defense
In this the hour Of peril large majority belong TO
that time.hon0red party. From your friend, very
respectfully, JAMES BUCHANAN.
Mr.. Beecher spoke the exact truth when, In his
recent eulogy on Gen. Grant In Boston, he said:
Fort Sumter fell upOu the North like nrc upon
autumnal prairies Men came together In the pres
once OF this universal calamity with sudden fusion.
They forgot all separations OF politics. parties. or
even ofreligon. IL was connagration OF patriot
ism.
Look also at these names OF the Federal generals,
every one OF whom. am quite sure, was OF the
Democratic party when the war broke out: Grant,
Sherman Mcclellan. Hancock, Meade, Thomas,
Buell. DIX, RosecraDs, Logan, Stcdman, McClernand,
Ewing, Denver, Slckles, Hooker, Butler, Sheridan,
MCPHERSON, Mcdowell, Slocum, Merritt, Deyin, IN.
Y.,) Reynolds, fltz-John Porter, Newton, Augur,
George Crook, Mckenzie, Custer, and know not
how many more whose names cannot recall; "but
am assured" he says, twoihirds OF the general
oncers at least were Democrats
No, 1t was NO slnge party, but the lndomablc will
and united action OF the patriotic OF all parties, that
crushed the Rebellion aud saved the Union.
croakers and "copperheads were pOweriess In in-
nuence with the masses-ihe 'bone and slnew " Of
the country-and the latter, at least viii go down In
history deeply sullied with dishonor.
freely accord 10 the Republicans all the credit 10
which they are entitled equally with their political
opponents In the conduct OF the war; but their wrong
doing came after the Rebellion was subdued by their
unwlse, ill-imed and unreasonable measures OF re-
construction, followed up by their shameful " wav-
Ing OF the bloody shirt si IN the wind for partisan
effect. Very respectfully,
H0RArIo KING.