The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-09-14
lEfom the Keokuk Journal.
pDens~aH a

The undersigned, Democrats Of Lee County,
Iowa, acting upon the principle that it is not
only the privilege, but the d..ty, Of every man,
in ordinary political contests, to support the
party to which he belongs, when right, and to
condemn it when wrong, do not hesitate in the
present perilous crisis to arraign for It's errors
the State Convention held at Des Moines on the
29th of August last, and to protest against the
platform by which that body has sought to bind
the Democratic party Of Iowa. II error of &C
tion is at any time legitimate subject Of re-
proof, more particularly is it SO, at . time like
this, and in reference to measures upon which
the fate Of our Republic is suspended. 1
Among the time honored principles of the
Democratic party, fervent and unyielding at
tacli,nent to the Union has ever been placed
prominently in the foreground. # ere9.
In the face of the present atrocious attempt
Of the Disunionists of the Southern States to
overthrow the Government, this feeling of love
for the Union. on the part of the Northern
Democracy, and their dissemination to main
tain it At all hazards. should be manifested in
no doubtful or equivocaI manner. This is not
done, as we most religiously believe, by the ac-
ton of the Convention of the 29th ult II not
in open sympathy with the leaders in rebellion,
the platform adopted by the convention s At
least Of doubtful loyalty. If this were not ap.
parent from the terms Of the resolutions them.
selves, it is rendered clearly so by the construc-
tion placed upon them by those who framed
them and who were the principal and most &C.
tive agent in. securing their adoption. They
not only fail to express that open. frank,
patriotic and unqualified support of the Govern
mert which AL loyal. eitizens owe to its author
ity in this hour of the nations peril" )" hut, both
in spirit and letter, do they misrepresent the
feelings, and falsify the position OF the honest
ard patriotic masses of the Democracy Of Iowa.
Every effort to secure tho adoption of platform
declaring it to be the unqualified and unaltera
BILE purpose OF the party to stand by the Gov
ernment of our Fathers, was i,ersstently and
uncompromisingly rejected.
The direct tendency Of this acton of the Con
vention must inevitably be to strengthen the
| hopes and arouse the determination OF the
Rebels in the prosecution of their war against
| the Government; to render more fierce and pro-
tracted the bloody struggle which they have in
augurated, and thus aggravate, to very great
extent. the evils which now brood like night
mare over our once happy country.
| Under these circumstances the course OF
every truly loyal and patriotic Democrat seems
to US to be clear and upmistskable. I. is to dis
card both the platform and the nominees of the
Convention Of the 29sh Of August and cast ou,
suffrages, in such q manner as shall indicate oul
character for loyalty to the institutions unde,
| which we live, and st the same time do no vio
lence to a single prineiple. which has hitherto
been the guide to our political action.
/ an the language Of 4 distinguished Democrat
who. was member rpf that Convention ane
Chairman of its Committee on Resolutions,
"We can all vote for the nominees OF the Uniol
Convention without any sacrifice of principle
They have had experience, are prompt, efficien
and energetic, and are loyal and true to the Con
stitution and the flag OF their country. In tn
words-almost the last--of that immortal states
man whom We revered, while living, and who's
teachings. now that he is laid in his grave, "
do not forget" Wien we shall Aaue a COUNT.
and government for our chileirea to lie in ,eae
and haRp"ess, 1t shall be tune for each of us to =,
ftrT to onr party banners according to our conv;,
4 tiors of right and dutu, Let him marked a
no trne patriot rho ,ciA not abandon all such issm