What we thought: 150 years ago
By From the editorial archives of Sauk Valley Media
Monday, May 20, 2013

The Gazette
May 16, 1863

Bishop dared to do his patriotic duty

Disloyalty rebuked

Bishop Symit, the Roman Catholic bishop of Dubuque, a week ago last Sunday afternoon openly denounced the secret order of the Knights of the Golden Circle.

In his character as a confessor, he had learned of its existence there, and that its object was evil towards our government. He at once exposed it, and told his hearers that those of them who had been duped into joining this conspiracy should come forth from it immediately.

He gave all such members of his church two weeks to leave it. All who then continued in it, would be excommunicated. The bishop then appealed to his hearers to stand by the government, and not to be led by the wicked politicians in any schemes for its overthrow.

Dubuque is the headquarters of the Knights in Iowa, and this blow from a quarter whence they little expected it, is a crushing one on their schemes of wickedness.

All honor to the bishop who dares to do his duty and openly rebuke the doings of this treasonable organization.

Serves him right

[Clement] Vallandigham, the great Copperhead mogul, has been sentenced to the Tortugas for two years by Gen. Burnside. He can there talk treason to lizards and tadpoles to his heart’s content.

The sentence is a just one, and all loyal men will endorse Gen. Burnside for it; but it shows he has little respect for the natural inhabitants of that pleasant locality.

Good bye, Val; our love to your future comrades.

P.S. – The Philadelphia Inquirer of the 14th says that the president has changed the sentence by sending Vallandigham south during the war. Conscientious Lincoln.

The original Copperhead

The first Copperhead, without doubt, made his appearance in the Garden of Eden.

The first, however, that made his appearance in this country was Benedict Arnold.

On the 20th of October, 1780, while the war of the Revolution was progressing, he issued a “proclamation to the citizens and soldiers of the United States,” appealing to them to turn against Washington, Hancock and their compatriots, just as certain politicians are now appealing to the people to turn against the government.

Meagher bows out

Gen. Thomas Francis Meagher, the renowned Irish orator and gallant commander of the Irish Brigade, has tendered his resignation. The brigade has been so reduced by repeated conflicts in the Army of the Potomac that it now numbers less than one thousand men, and the general does not wish to risk the lives of the remaining few by asking them to follow where he may choose to lead.

He does not, however, withdraw from the service, but offers himself to the government in another capacity.

Stonewall’s death

Late Richmond papers confirm the reports of the death of [Confederate Gen.] Stonewall Jackson. He died on Sunday last, from the effects of the amputation of his left arm, and pneumonia.

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