I thought that Copperheads were pro-slavery, Demoncrats in the North. How conservative is that?
At the time, it was universally considered the conservative position. IMO, it was so only because of a misunderstanding of what true American conservatism means, but there is no doubting that the abolitionists were radicals intent on overturning the established system. In that one aspect, anyway.
The idea that a copperhead aka “peace democrat” would be part of the underground railroad is a sick joke meant to whitewash that fact that northern democrats never did switch parties like the modern liberals try and push with the the myth of the southern strategy...
The movie is dishonest. In the book the lead character is concerned about race and race mixing. He doesn’t like the war and he thinks Lincoln is wrong, but race is very much on his mind, and that’s reflected in his language. In the movie it’s all about the Constitution, and they even make him part of the Underground Railroad. I’d have respected the film makers more if they hadn’t tried to fudge this.