Year: 1864

What the Soldiers think OF the War,


the Union and Father Abraham.


FoRr ToTToE, Aug 30th, 1864.


Editors InteEEigeneer:


While out on picket line of the defences
of Washington, D. c., and rejecting upon
the political and military condition of opr
beloved but sorely tried country, conclu-
ded to.giVe you the result of my erratic re-
fections on the momentuous subject.
have come to the conclusion that there are
three parties and I'll make an attempt to
classify and define: First, there is the true
Union abolitionists, who consider slavery
wrong, not only politically but morally
Secondly, the political sbolitionist, who
considers it necessary to abolish slavery
because it was aud is the cause of the war
and its continuance, and because there can
be no permanent peace on a firm basis
with this cause of dissention that makes
the interests of the North and South dia-
metrically opposite. But this party is of
various shades of intensity and disoWns the
(bug- besr) name Of abolitionist; and the
third party are the "Peace on any terms"
towards, who cover eowardice and unwil-
lingness to sustain the government whose
benefits they enjoy, with treason. In short





calledl copperheads and ESQ called) aboli-
zionist are the two prominent parties, whose
antagonism is like the powers of darkness
and light. Our third party stands between,
and are not strong enough either numer-
ically or politically to make much stir as
party, bat form quite bone of contention
between the copperheads and abolitioni5ts.
However, the latter went straight for
ward in the line OF duty aud reuominated
our good old standard bearer Father Abra-
ham, knowing every truly loyal man would
give him his unqualified support; knowing
his sterling integrity and his msnifestly
pure patriotic desire for the welfare and
honor of the nation. But the ''cops" seem
to have considerable difficulty in getting
up a platform and man that will embody
enough of poltroonery and treason for
themselves, and sufficient loyalty to draw
on and hook in the "political abolitionists," J"
which party both the other parties so in
tensely desire to absorb. Now this middle
party are, many OF them, las it is called)
ION the fence;;" but it is to be hoped that
love of country, and their country's honor
and the remains of the blood of our faith
ers left in their veins, may enable them to
decide on the course most conducive to
their country's welfare permanently not
q false, hollow and delusive peace with the
cause of the war remaining; no compro-
mise with slavery, no time for it to die out.
This has been tried once and failed.
First, because the African race are very
prolific, and secondly, because negro sla-
very not only renders the interests OF the
North and South diametrically opposite
hut begets arrogance and indolence IN the
white race. Now to steer between the
Charybydis and Scylla of compensation to
Union slayehoIders, Gf there can be any
such,) after their loyalty has been well
authenticated, and coufiscation of all prop
erty of those who by their treason have
forfeited all rights under this government,
1 firmly believe in confscation of all the
property of traitors, and compensation to
loyal men proper and right. Old Uncle
Abe has the majority, where they know him
best, in the defences about Washington.
Mcclellan come next; he is the beau ideal
of the summer soldiers and sunshine pat
riots. He did indeed accomplish mastery
retreats, and took such good care of his
men that they lived snugly on the fat of the
land, while guarding openly around trail
tors property. He is evidently ambitious,
but not the man for the emergency.


Fremont is spoken of also2 He seems
to have been egotistic and ambitious, and
ready to step on any platform las well as
McClellan) for the remote possibility, not
probability, of place and power. Fremont
seems not to have realized that he was the
wedge with which the scoops" sought to
absorb the middle party, and split the
Union party proper. 1t seems to me the
ttcops," alias Peace. on-any- are
not very consistent in getting arms and
men ready for war, after crying out against
military, civil oppression, irving to disPlace
an honest Statesman for military General
1t is to be hoped that the truly loyal at
home will have the nations honor and per
manent prosperity at heart sufficient to go
up to the polls camly, ,uu6erstandinglyia and
cast their vote for their country's good,
both for the present aud future. Depend
upon it, the hope of the south Is peace
on.any-terms President, followed by re-
cognition of this independence, followed by
boundry lines cutting off our sea coast I'm :
mediately after which cotton trade win
England, and slave trade to and from Al
rica, would recommence. Well some might
saw. "Whst have to do with that Z" just
this God is Furnishing, as is his wont,
this nation, in time or during its temporal
existence, for national sins, and aCe are all
resnousible for our fellow mans sins just
40 far as our influence extends over him.
Rut if we re-elect Abraham Lincoln, expe-
rience will hold the helm of the ship ot
state, and guide her into the port of PsrMG'
nent peace and prosperity. Honorably
after the prostration of the baseless hopes
of the deluded seceders, they will return to
re allegiance, and there will be comprO-
mise which then will be concessions on
both sides. The pen and tongue are more
mighty than the sword and must finally
settle this frsternal quarrel; but perhaps


the time is not yet, perhaps both sides mus
suffer more. Bot feel ssnguine of Lin
coins re. election, and speedy peace on
firm basis and an honorable one. l desire


and think every truly loyal patriot does


none other.


Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain