Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-08-15
The Action of the Democracy.

ii
The action of the New York and Ohio
State Democratic Conventions virtually set
ties the political position of the loyal States.
The Republican organizations of these States
rendered to the Conventions representing
the Democratic party, a compromise in the
shape Of IA Union ticket They presented
as mutual platform this simple principle: /:
Loyalty to the Union, confidence in the
Administration, and an unqualified sup
port OF its war measures. In both States
they controlled a majority of the votes in
both States it was in their power, under
ordinary events, to maintain possession of
the Government, and to place their friends
IN nearly every department of government.
And yet, anxious to conciliate the Democrat
lc sentiment, and to recognize the devotion
and selt-sacrifce of the Democratic masses.
they generously rendered them one-half Of
the Offices to be filled. Nothing could have
been farer. 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 GER
tainly no citizen was anxious to revive the
platforms of Cincinnati, Chicago, or Balti-
more, or to discuss any abstruse or obsolete
principle therein declared, when his only
duty was one to his country. What do we
care about Popular Sovereignty or Congress
ional Intervention, when the National Sow
ereignty 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 enoughin both parties to execute
their duties properly. There are men who
would have gladly accepted the united suf.
frages 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 re-
jected?
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 discovered
States assuring them of all their rights
under the Constitution. The Ohio Con-
yention, among other things, recommends
National Convention for restoring and pre-
serving the Union, and condemns the Presi-
dents late attempt to suspend the writ of
hdJeas corpus. These two propositions
embrace the whole platform of the Northern
Peace Party, and on these propositions the
Democratic organizations of the North have
placed themselves and gone before the coun-
try. And yet they mean nothingm more than
divided North now, and divided Union
in year or two to come. These gentlemen
forget that for the North TO hold out terms
Of accommodation to discovered States, is
to accept the cup of humiliation and disgrace.
What terms can be offered? What compro
mise can be made? Why did not these Con
ventions, in laying down their platforms, 20
more into details? Has the South not been
assured Of all their rights under the Con
stitution p In fact, what has the Govern
ment been doing for the past year but Civ
ing these very assurancesf The Republican
leaders have covered themselves all over with
such pledges. Mr. Seward in his Senator
ial speech-Mr. Cameron repeatedly as SEN
ator.--and, in fact, every representative Re-
publican, without even excepting such rad
ical men as Mr. Lovejoy in the House, or
MIR. Summer in the Senate, Joined in the de-
carations of the Secretary Of State and the
Secretary of War. The President in his
inaugural gave the South the most abun-
dant assurances of his kindness to the South.
and his respect for their rights. The first
duty the Administration assumed was an at
tempt to negotiate terms of accommoda-
ton, and they were carried forwa d with
earnestness and good faith by the President
and his Cabinet, until the unprovoked assault
upon Fort Sumter assured the nation that
the only "terms of accommodation" the
South entertained were the cannon of Fort
Moultrie and Morris Island. In spirit of
naughty disdaip they told the North that
the only terms they could accept would be