Year: 1865

vexed Question. ii


The Paaro Times, sound Union newspaper,
condemns The onion men ofSsdq Franciscowho
refused to participate in the d4tHof March dem
onstration because some notorious Copperheads
had managed to make themselves prominent in
connection withit. That paper argues thatthose
who supported Mcclellan for President, but now
profess willingness to support the ticket and
Administration, should be admitted into the Un-
ion party without further question, and allowed
to vote at its primary meetings. The Times says


MANY may think il wise to exclude from the
polls all who voted for Mcclellan. We believe
the adoption of such policy would work DIS
aster to the Union party in many counties. In
asmuch many good Union men supported Nc
Clellan, we believe the proper test should consist
simply in sworn adhesion to the Government as
administered by t3c present Chief Magistrate
The object of the Union party is not TO perpetu-
ate by dogged stubbornness political organiza-
tions against the Administration. but rather to
strengthen our ranks of allegiance and become
again united.


This is the vexed question Of the present time
and it behooves Union men, and more especially
Union Central Committees, to ponder well before
fixing test which every voter at the primary
meeting is expected to accede to- or be deprived
of his vote. There is little doubt that some who
are Union at heart voted for Mcclellan, and there
is as little doubt that hundreds who did SO would
like to be Union men long enough to vote at
primary, choose delegates to their liking, and
far control Union Conventions as TO create dis
rbop -, tbc;r 1nl; ,bo
meeting test would permit them TO do In
our immediate section public opinion is much
divided among Union men on this point and we
trust that the County Central Committee will,
as is their duty. fix test to be imposed on all
doubtful persons who present themselves at the
primaries 10 claim q voice in the choice of dele
gates TO County Convention.


Individuality we consider it wrong TO allow
every one claiming to be Il Union man to vote
until he has satisfied the judges that he is such.
There are plenty Of men in the Union party to-
day who have been required to do the same
thing in past years it is precedent established
by all parties, and it remains to be decided
which will work the greatest injury strict test
which will debar some from voting al the prima-
rieS. lencnt which will permit full
pledged opponents to the Union cause TO exer-
else the voting privilege with the same freedom
that old and tried Union men are, and in the
end perhaps overthrow the organization There
are men claiming to have been always sound on
the Union question, who have etfrontery to seek
recognition at the hands of the party, while their
heart, still full Of treason and corruption
Knowing this we are induced TO coincide in the
opinion of the Nevada Ga-eU,, expressed in the
following:


For our part We will not consent that these
men, fresh from the traitorous counciis OF the
enemy. ,heir hearts foul with double trcacherv
and their hands crimson with loyal gore or black
with Confederate brides. shall come into the
Union organization, and be allowed voice in
the selection Of our candidates and the direction
of our policy. If they are now homes. and trust
worthy Union men they must know that their
past guilt is enormous and if they are sincere
in their poutcnce they Will humbly accept the
lowest position in the Cuiou ranks until they
have brought forth fruits meet for renentance
Let them vote and work with the Union marty if
they will. but let Us not dc6e the purity of the
party by admitting into its full communion the
political desperadoeS who that the Copper
head party is completely orerthrown. are willing
to join us for the sake of power and place.
Whenever we DO so the Union organization will
become hopelessly demoralized and will speedi-
ly split into selfish factions-a danger which
threatens it even now. If penitent Copperheads
desire to unite with the Union party by all means
let them do so humble workers in the cause
but not otherwi:e.