Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-08-21
Forney on the Partisan Democracy Of
Ohio and New York.

;. Forney on the Partisan Democracy
Ohio and New York.
e J.W. Forney, of the Philadelphia Pres
a than whom the Democratic party has ha
# no more able defender, and who enjoye
: the confidence of Senator Douglas in
greater degree, perhaps, than any Otht
o man, thus comments upon the action
: the partisan Democracy of Ohio and Ne
f York:
1.-The action of the Ohio and New Yor
e State Democratic Conventions virtual
: settles the political position of the lOya
States. The Republican organizations @
these States rendered to the Convention
representing the Democratic party, a com
promise in the shape of Union ticket
They presented as a mutual platform thi
simple principle Loyalty to the Uniol
confidence in the Administrations
an unqualified support of its war measures
, In both States they controlled maj2rit..
Of the votes; in both States it was in thei
power, under ordinary events, to maintail
possession of the Government, and to plact
their friends in nearly every department
of the Government. And yet, anxious t.
conciliate the Democratic sentiment, and
to recognize the devotion and self-sacrifct
of the Democratic masses, they generous.
ly rendered them one half of the offices tc
be filed. Nothing could have been fairer.
The platform was one which no patriot
could have refused to occupy; the interests
at stake were those involved in the destiny
of our beloved country, and certainly no
citizen was anxious to revive the platforms
of Cincinnati Chicago or Baltimore, or to
discuss any Obstruse or obsolete principle
therein declared, when his only duty was
one to his country. What do We care a.
bout popular Sovereignty or Congressional
Intervention, when the National Sover-
eighty is threatened; and the peace of the
country destroyed by the intervention of
the sword? So far as the mere personnel
of the positions are concerned, there are
able and honest men enough in both par
ties to execute their duties properly
There are men who would have gladly ac-
cepted the united sufrages of both parties.
The proposition was feasible one, and
it would have been accepted by the masses
of the country with enthusiasm. Why,
then, has it been rejected?
The New York Democratic Convention,
in declining to unite, say that it is "due
to the Federal Government to hold out
terms of peace and accommodation to dissev-
cred States, assuring them of their rights
under the Constitution. The Ohio Con-
vention, among other things, recommends
a National Convention for restoring and
preserving the Union, and condemns the
Presidents ''late attempt to suspend the
writ of habeas corpus" These two prop
ositions embrace the whole platform of the
Northern Peace Party, and on these prop
ositions the Democratic organizations of
the North have placed themselves and
gone before the country. And yet they
mean nothing more than divided North
now, and divided Union in a year or
two to come. These gentlemen forget that
for the North to "hold out terms of &C.
commOdation to discovered States" is to
accept the cup of humiliation and disgrace.
What terms can be offered? What CON-
promise can be made? Why did not these
Conventions, in laying down their plat
forms, 60 more into details? Has the
South not been assured of all their rights |
under the Constitution ?" In fact, what
has the Government been doing for the
past year but giving these very assuran- (
ces? The Republican leaders covered
themselves all over with such pledges. /
Mr.. Seward in his Senatorial speech-Mr. /
Cameron repeatedly as Senator-and in
fact every representative Republican, with
out even excepting such radical men as
Mr.. Lovejoy in the House or Mr.. Sumner
in the Senate, Joined in the declarations IF
the Secretary of State and the Secretary of
War. The President in his inaugural
gave the South the most abundant assu-
RANGES of his kindness to the South, and
his respect for their rights. The first du-
ty the Administration assumed was an at
tempt to negotiate "terms of accommoda.
lion" and they were carried forward with
and good faith by the Presi-
lent and his Cabinet, until the unprovoked
assault upon Fort Sumter assured the ma
ton that the onl y ''terms of accommoda-
lion" the South entertained we're the can
non of Fort Moultrie and Morris Island.
In spirit of naughty disdain they told
he North that the only terms they would
accept would be complete surrender on
he part of the North, the evacuation of
he capital, the disgrace and humiliation
# the Republic.
Are these the "terms of accommodation"
which the New York Democracy propose ?
There can be no other. The South are in
,arnest, and they have proved their earn
,stness at Charleston and Manassas. We [
nay assure them of every possible right {
he Constitution b.stows, and they would
most certainly hold the bearer of the "as-
a prisoner Of war, and 60 on
building their entrenchments within a
mornings march of Washington City.
Their ultimatum is complete and final [
separation, and in view of this there can
1e mo terms of accommodation which
Eill not assume the accomplishment of
separation as part of the treaty. Is that ,
he meaning of the Democratic Conven- I
ion of New York? The proposition of
he Ohio Convention is equally wicked, for {
not only endorses the accommodation" :
cheme of New York, but makes an issue {
lirectly on the Administration, and insists [
hat the Democracy of that State shall
ondcmn the Presidents "late attempt to ,
uspend the writ of habeas corpus" 1
If the Democracy of Ohio condemns one /;