Year: 1864

Translated from the Memorial Diplomatiqus1


The various demonstrations made by
the Democrats and friends of peace in the !
North have induced those who do not
study American affairs with the attention
to believe that the great revolution which
is devouring the republic of Washington
will work its own solution, and that both
North and South, aghast at the ruins and
headed up every way around them, at the
sea of blood which their arms will either
become conscious of the fact that war is
not an element Of the union, and casting
aside their arms will either become recon-
ciled by mutual concessions or settled
down in peace, side by side, as Free and
independent States.


The recent elections have destroyed |
this illusion. For the first time, we might
say in whole year, public sentiment in
the United States has assumed such
form as to enable us to understand its
purport. We can now see clearly into
the plans Of the Government, and ascer.
tain how they are viewed by the people.
/ The idea has been hitherto entertained !
that the Democratic party desired peace,
This error has been strengthened by the
attacks which its organs and orators made
and are still making every day upon the
Federal Administration, and By the gen.
era tone othostity which peryades the
language Of its leaders. The late cleo
tions, while they show the weakness of
the party, also bring to light the fact
which we have long since known, that
there is little difference between Democrats
and radicals as to the propricty of carry
ing OIL the war.


lu the midst of the tempest which each
day carries off some element Of Ameri
can liberty, the Democrats are it is true.
the only persons who protest against the
usurpatious Of Government, against the
violence oil military authority, and against
the encroachments of the central power
upon that OF the States and from this
circumstance they are the only CONSTITUTE
onal party in the North but they have
not been able to resist that blind devotion
to the Union which induces Americans to
value it more than liberty; they have
failed to appreciate the spirst Of that Con-


stitution Of which they arc the only and
last defenders.


Not one Of the leaders Of the Democratic
party, even Of those who have been most
energetic in their attacks upon the policy
OF the Administration, rot even Nallandig-


ham or Governor Seymour, has ever de-
clared that he was in favor of peace with
: the South at the price of separation.
= Judge Woodward, who was the recent


candidate for Governor Of Pennsylvania,


NJ h,n L.. ,lo ,,.o1 70 tIn


same post in Ohio ; Mr.. Seymour, Gov
ernor OF the State Of New York, and all
the other heads of the Democratic party,
: are as strongly in favor of the Union, as
? Mr.. Lincoln The only difference be-


tween Radicals and Democrats is that the
former wish lol Union through war, and
that the latter wish to OBTAIN it by con-
B, ciIia,ion, if possible, and if not, by carry
f ing on the war in regular and humane
nay in accordance with the spirit Of the
age.


/ Union, Uuion, tni ni,,rUh fire and sword
or Union by prayer and Ca. ,,amise, but
Union at any cost. Union, even at thu
price of an ocean of blood, at the price OF
of public credit Union, in fact, at any
price even that Of liberty such is the
open or secret thought of every Amer.
ican OF the North, be he Radical, Peace
Democrat, Wac Democrat, Copperhead
Old Line Wing. The insane desire for
Union turns the heads of all. A prey to
this hallucilalion, the Americans do not
perceive that while they are running,
after some detached portions of the Rep
ublic, those which were still united begin
10 and tb1t thoir ottm in
favor Of the Union are so many gems of
disunion, from which, instead Of two con-
federacies, three or four will probably
crise.


National va nifty has taken such hold
upon the people Of the North that it has
destroyed their moral sense. They sac
rfce every thing to the pride of being
able TO say that their power extends over
half continent, and that they are equal
to any nation in the world.


Rather, say they, let our institutions
and whole generation perish, than re-
nouuce this glorious idea The Anglo
Saxon is certainly the most independent
of all men, but his pride is greater than
his love of independence, and he would
not hesitate to sacrifice liberty to vanity.
One of the great men of the French Rev
olution said : "Let the Colonies perish
sooner than principle" The Ameri-
cans reverse tho expression and say -
"Sooner let liberty perish than lose an
inch OF territory" In their opinion the
glorious Union takes precedence OF every
thing.


There is then, in fact, little difference
between the Democrats Of the North and
the most extreme Radicals; they are all
agreed upon this capital point, that the
independence Of the South can not be
recognized. All want the Union, and if
they differ as to their plans for obtaining
it, it is because their interests arc not
identical. The possession of power is the
real point in dispute between these two
parties; the real profound difference be-
tween them lies in the fact that the one
is in the possession of the Government