The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1862-05-20
THE DEMOCRATIC ADDRESS
vaIlandigham's Plan OF Reconstruction.

a A brief telegraphc abstract Of the Address
Of the Democratic Members Of Congress tC
the people of the United States was given il
former edition. The entire document ap.
> pears in the National Inteiligencsr.
The opening passsge sets forth the why and
wherefore Of the appeal in the following
terms:
"The perilous condition Of our country de-
mands that Wa should reason together. Party
organization. restricted within property. -
Without il the best government would soon
: d generate into the worst Of tyrannies, In
dsspotism the chief use Of powder is in crush.
ing out party opposition. In our own coun.
try the experience OF the las. II months
proves more than any lesson in history, the
necessity Of party organization. The present
Administration was chosen by parry, and in
all civil acts a appointments has recognised
and still does, its feslty and obligations 10 that
party. There must and will be an opposition.
The public safety and good demand it,
Shall il be a new organization or an old one
The Democratic party wa founded mere than
sixty years ago. 1t has never been disbauded.
To day it numbers one million five hundred
thousand electors in the States still loyal to
the Union. Its recent numerous victories in
municipal elections in the Western and Mid
die States prove it's vitality. Within the last
ten months it has held State conventions and
nominated full Democratc tickets in every
free State in the Union. OF no other party
opposed to Republicanism can the same be
said"
The Address then puts the question: "Shall
the Democratic party be now disbanded 7" and
answers it BY citing its platforms and quoting
Jeferson's first inaugral. 1t is contended that
neither the ancient principles, the policy, nor
the past history Of the Democratic party re.
qure nor would justify its disbsndment.-
Then comes the declaration Of the next as fol.
lows:
"ls thore sDything 10 tho present crisis
which demands it! The more immediate i.
sne is to maintain the Constitution as it is,
aud TO restore the Union as 1t was.
"To maintain tile Constitution is to respect
the rights of the States, and the liberties Of
the citizen. 1t is to adhear faithfully to the I
very principles aud policy which the Demo
cratic party hAs PrOfcssed for more than half
Gentry. Let its history, and the results,
from the beginning, prove whether it has
practised them. We appeal proudly to the
record.
The first step towards restoration of the
Union as it was is to maintain the Consttu
ton as il is. S, long as it was maintained in
fact. and not threatened with infraction in
spirit and in letter, actual or imminent, the
Union was unbrokeu.
ITO restore the Union, il is essential, first,
to give assurance to every State aud to the
people Of every section that their rights aud
liberties and property will be secured within
the Unicn under the Constitution. What as
surance so doubly sure as the restoration to
power cf that ancient, organized, consolidated
Democratic party, which for sixty years did
secure the property, rights and liberties OF the
States and Of the people; and thus did main
tain the Constitution aud pre,erye the Union,
and with them the multiplied cssngs which
distinguished above all other nations'
ITO restore the Union is to crush out sec
tionasm North and South. To begin the
great work of restoration though the ballot.
box is to kill abolition. The bitter waters Of
secession flowed first and are fed still from the
uuclean fountain of aboliiionsrn. That fCun
tain must be dried up. Armies may break
down the power Of the Confederate govern
ment Of The South; but the work Of restora
tion can only he carried on through poltical
organization AMI ballot in the North and
West. In tLis great work We cordially invite
the co operation Of all men every party who
are opposed 10 the fall spirit of abolition, and
who, 10 sincerity, desire The Constitution as it
is and the Union as it was. Let the dead
past bury it's dead. Rally, lovers ofthe Union
the Constitution and of Liberty to the stand.
ard OF the Democratic party, alr sdy in the
H,4lI nd Ill # vi hat ri ia
the natural and president enemy Of abolition.
Upon this qutstio its record rs a national or.
gsnization, however it may have been at times
with particular men or 10 particular States, is
clear and unquestionable."
II is declared that tue Union can never be
restored as it was unless Congress relinquishes
interference with slavery; and that mo other
Union, except the unity Of despotism, can bo
maintained in this country; and this last (ssy I
the signers) we will resist, as our sacred hon
ors" Nevertheless, the address, denies hat the
Democratic party is opposed to granting aid
and support to the Federal Government in
tbe prosecution Of tie war against rebellion,
but argues that it has right TO crit ciss pub.
lie measures and public men. The Address
concludes as follows:
"UpquestionabIy the Constitution gives arm
pie power to the several departments Of the
Government to cary on war, strictly subject TO
its provisions, and in case Of civil war, with
perfact security to citizens Of the loyal States
Every act necessary for the safety and eff
cheney Of the government. and for complete
aud most vigorous trial Of it's strength, is yet
wholly consistent with the observance Of every
provision Of that instrument, and Of the laws
in pursuance OF it, il the sole motives of thos
10 power were tho suppression Of the "rebell-
ion," and no moro. And yet the history Of
the Administration for the twelve months
pact has been and continues to be history
Of repeated usurpations Of power and Of VIC
latious Of the constitution, and Of the public
and private rights of tho citizens. For the
proof we appeal 10 facts too recent to need
recital here, and too fagrant and beinous for
the calm narrative which we propose. Simi.
lar acts we're done aud a like policy pursued
10 the threatened war with France in the time
Of John Adams, and with the same ultimate
purpose. But in two or three years the pco.
pie forced them into an honorable peace with
France. rebuked the exccsses and abuses of