The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1886-04-29
BLOODY shirt PAPERS!
NUMBER XVI.

Possibly, in writing of the events of a
quarter of a century ago, one may be in
error as to the bearings of some points of
history upon some other points. 1t is of
course difficult for even the closest OBJ
server to so stamp passing events in
his memory as to have a complete
and faultless record there. Yet scenes
which present aspects of horror, or por-
tray great woe are apt to become some
what firmly fixed in the memory. Many
young man-and some older ones too
went into the army merely upon the in
spiration and enthusiasm of the moment,
without attempting to discern the politi-
ical bearings of the situation The life
of the Nation had been assailed, that was
enough. Let the enemy be put down
first, argue the question afterwards, was
the idea. Our friends and neighbors
were being shot down; let that be stop
ped, and we could argue the questions
that led to the shooting, afterwards.
There was not a great amount of arguing
politics during the active service of the
soldier; he had more important business
on hand; the Democratic party had said
to the people of this country, ''if you will
permit us to remain in power, and retain
the institution of slavery, we will permit
the Government to live" The people
spurned this monstrous proposition. and
the Democratic party Immediately start
ed out as murderer and pillager, in an
attempt to destroy the Government. We
CO. hn
brains and controlling element among
Democratic statesmen went that way.
The strength of the party lay in the
South, then as nOW.CWhere Democracy
was strongest. treason was most rampant.
In this exciting time many of the bet
ter men of the Democratic party stepped
out of the ranks and joined forces with
the Republicans, forming what was tenn
porarily known as the Union party. 1t
was easy to determine mans standing
in those days. A loyal Union man was
in favor of putting down the Rebellion
at the mouth of the cannon and point of
the bayonet. The man who objected to
the putting down of the Rebellion was
Rebel sympathizer, known as Copper
head" This latter class were always in
suited when any imputation was cast
upon their loyalty. The man of to-day
who took this position then will indig-
nantly resent any insinuations that he
was not loyal man then. The Democ-
racy have control of Government to-day
which would not have been in existence
if Democracy could have had it's way
twenty-five years ago; therefore the
Democrat loves to maintain that he was
always loyal.
During the heat of the conflict Demo
Gratis in Jackson County were passing
resolutions demanding peace" which
meant, simply. surrender to the Rebels.
We may publish some of these resolu-
tions in the near future, for the benefit of
our young readers, and in order that their
knowledge of history may be correct. The
history of Jackson County politics about
that time, presents some stirring scenes.
In looking over the record, we find one
letter which gives perhaps as clear
an idea of the Copperhead portion-and
the greater portion by far-of the Demo
cratic party, as could be written. 1t was
written to a member of the 1st Ohio
Heavy Artillery. We omit names:
abolition reign, 3 years, 1 month, and
Is days. Mr.. = 1 thought 1 would
write you few lines to-day, to let you
know that l was not dead yet | want to
know what you are fighting for 1 an
swer emphatically that you are fighting