The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-09


"Tell him." says the President, "When NJ
starts to put 1t through not to be wrih 'g or tele
graphing back here, but put it through. w
fear that one Of the great causes of delay in tn'
prosecution Of the war has been that the volIn
teer officers have spent their time in writing and
telegra2hing back to the capital, instead o
quitting it through"
The Politie.al Conventions-IThe Peoples
Convention the Forlorn Hope OF the
Republic.
The Democratic Convention, in their desire to
please both sides, have failed to present plat
form satisfactory to the public. Although de-
claring in favor of vigorous prosecution of the
war, to please Ben. Wood and other secession
allies in the North they have put forward
record that is repudiated by the Union men Of
their own party. All who have not become
tinctured with the States rights or secession
doctrine denounce the ninth resolution as I'M
Under the doctrines of that resolution the scces-
sion organs can actually stir up mob in New
York-One that would cause an enormous loss
of life and property, as well as seriously embar-
rass the administration, should it be done in
concert with an attack upon Washington by the
rebel army, and the military authorities Of the
city would stand with their hands tied as far as
arresting the really guilty parties or suppressing
the mutinOus article. 1t needs no argument to
prove the fallacy of such doctrines. They
might do well enough in times of peace;
but We are now engaged in war,
and it is better that few individuals
for the time being should be prevented from
carrying the liberty of speech and the press to
extremes than that our whole national struc-
ture should be overthrow and the liberties of
millions subverted.
The democracy having failed to meet the
issues of the day or to present to the public a
practical platform, we are left the only alter
native of looking to the conventions hereafter
to be held for satisfactory and practical issues
The democratic politicians, although making
great ado about following the measures OF
Jackson, have shown that they are not equal to
the exigencies of the times, and are no more
worthy Of public confidence than the republi
cans. Neither do we anticipate anything prac-
teal from the theoretical Chicago platform and
,hoddy republicans. The rottcnness of the re
publican Military Board at Albany and the i'm
becility at Washington have already destroyed
Ill confidence in the public that they will prove
he party for the present trying hour of the
nation. Like the democrats, they will doubtless
consider their party first and make the country
secondary; in fact we may say that their past cor
ruptions have settled their platform in advance.
We are forced, therefore, to look to the Peoples
Union Convention, which is to assemble at SYRIA
;use on the 10th, as our forlorn hope. Of the
complexion of this Convention or its objects We
nave but little knowledge, further than that
he call was signed by democrats, republicans
md Americans, inviting the cooperation of all
lovers of the Union who are in favor of speedi-
" suppressing the wicked rebellion now men
acing our capital and threatening the existence
of the nation. Delegates are being elected
rom all important points in the State; but
whether it is to be made machine to ratify the
action of the democrats or republicans, or q
really patriotic gathering, rising above party and
'epudiating the shoddy politicians on all sides
we are not advised.
There is an excellent opening for them, not
only for making themselves the rallying point
or the people, but the means of demolishing
the corrupt clqnes of all parties, and furnishing
m issue that will enable all loyal citizens to
,ote to suppress the rebellion, strengthen and
uphold the government, free from the interfe-
renee Of party politicians and party prejudices
1t appears to be the determination of the party
managers to bewilder and befog the public
mind as much as possible, and thus prevent
fair and candid expression Of public opinion
1t the ballet box upon the only question-Union
OF dsunion-which we are called upon to meet,
and the administration, through our army and
navy, is attempting to decide. The war is upon
u.s. it is an existing fact, as the slain at the Big
3cthel, Bull run and Wilson's creek engage
ments fully testify. A wicked and traitorous
conspiracy exists. The rebel army is menacing
the capital with its tens of thousands. Shall the
oval North lay quietly upon its back, and per-
nit the destruction of our constitution and
human freedom the world over, or deal with it
IS becomes men having sacred trust reposed
in them and righteous cause to defendt The
leaders of the rebellion declare that the North
shall feel Southern steel and pay the expense of
their own subjugation." But one conclusion
can be drawn from this, and that is, either the
administration must suppress the rebellion or
the South will conquer the North; and it is for
the people of the Free States to decide which
that shall be. The democratic politicians have
shown that they do not comprehend the issue,
and are spending their energies on distractions.
We expect nothing better of the republicans,
whose corruptions have become by-word. We
are therefore compelled to look to the Peoples
Convention as the forlorn hope in this trying
hour of our nation. 1t remains for the leading
spirits of that gathering to say whether their
deliberations shall prove q general whitewash-
ing of the politicians, or whether they will pre-
sent platform that will enable the public to
demolish all parties and their shoddy politi-