There is an exceedingly fine opening now for . . .

. . . the politicians of the Jeff. Davis and Jimmy Buchanan school in the free and boarder States to organize a new political party or galvanize the old Democratic concern. The Democratic party may be past resurrection. Two thirds of the Democratic States and all the leaders having revolted because defeated in a Presidential election, it may be difficult now to galvanize the tail of the animal, which is all that is left in the Union. It may be cheaper and easier to make a new party with a new name. – But which ever course is pursued, an issue, a plank, has already been made ready to their hands, which, of course, will be accepted – They will go before the country upon the single issue, we presume, of a restoration of slavery to the District of Columbia and the National Capital, at least so we hope. Let us have no nonsense – no blathering about the Constitution, meaning slavery. The Republicans have abolished slavery in the District, as they had a right to do under the Constitution. They have thrown down the glove – take it up if you dare. The first step has been taken. The nation has washed its hands of slavery, so far as the District is concerned. Secession sympathizers and time-serving politicians can put that in their pipes and smoke it. Congress has resolved to aid the loyal boarder States, whenever they determine to get rid of slavery. There is another issue for you. Whenever the rebellion shall assume that stubborn and determined character as to render it probable that no other measure will put it down, negro slavery will be destroyed in America and the union saved without the negro. Ruminate upon that, gentlemen politicians. Here are issue enough and of the kind you have always courted. Organize your party and meet them. If considerations of patriotism are of no weight and you have no magnanimity, make up our issue and we will meet you at the ballot box, while we tender the cartridge-box to your co-laborers down in Dixie.

Mr. Vallandigham will go on with his resurrection.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 19, 1862