Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1863-12-22
Democratic Platform for 1854.


better can be devised by the time tie
Union National Convention assemblies. |
We are satisfied, from the uumistakable
approval which has everywhere greeted
The message, that the Union men through
out the country regard it as the sign by
which they will conquer-"In hoe signo
vinces"
But our purpose, to-day, is to contem-
plate the Democratic platform for 1864.
What is it, or rather, what will it be?
We are convinced the substance of it is
contained in the following preamble and
resolution, which were recently submitted
to the House of Representatives by Fer
nando Wood, as follows:
WHEREAS, The President in his mes
sage delivered to this House on the 9th
inst, in his recommendation to the peo-
pie to assemble at their places of wor-
ship to give thanks to God for recent
victories, claims that the Union cause
has gained important and substantial adj
vantages; and
WHEREAS, In view of these triumphs,
it is no longer beneath our dignity nor
dangerous to our safety to evince a gem
erous magnanimity becoming a great
and powerful people, by offering to the
insurgents an opportunity to return to
the Union without imposing upon them
degrading or destructive conditions;
therefore,
ResoEred, that the President be re-
quested to appoint three Commissioners
who shall be empowered to open negoti-
atoms with the authorities at Richmond,
to the end that this bloody, destructive
and inhuman war shall cease, and the
Union be restored upon terms of equity,
fraternity and equality, under the Con-
stitution.
The resolution failed to pass because
the Union men voted against it. On the
motion, however, to lay it on the table,
ffty-nine Democrats and Border State
men voted in the negative, thereby COM
hitting themselves in favor of the pas
sage of the humiliating and Infamous
proposition. Of the fifty-nine who en-
dorsed the resolution, seven are Indiana
Democrsts-two of whom were elected
as War-Democrats, having represented
themselves in favor of aVigorous pros
ecution of the war during the Congress
ional canvass which resulted in their
election. This action on the part of
their Representatives in Congress, COM
mits the Democracy of this State to the
cowardly policy of sueing for peace at
the capital of the so-called Confederacy.
It is declaring that the Democracy OF
the loyal States are willing, in order to
stop "bloody, destructive, and inhu-
man war;" as Mr.. Woods resolution
terms it, to bow before JEFF. Davis and
plead with him to restore the Union upon
what he may regard as terms of equity,
fraternity, and equality under the Con-
stitution." Was ever q greater insult
offered TO the dignity and patriot
ism of free and intelligent people2
Many Democrats-or those claiming
to be such-repudiated Mr.. Vallandig-
ham after they discovered that he was
beaten in Ohio by over 100000 votes.
These may say that the Democracy do
not endorse the peace propositions Of
Fernando Wood, or recognize him as a
leader. But they do endorse both Wood
and his propositions, or else they repudi-
ate their own Representatives in Con.
gress, which they will not,do.
There is another fact which goes
to show that Wood is a recog
nized leader of the party. Hem
company with ]. C. Allen, of Illinois
and, if anything, viler Southern sym
pathizer-are placed at the head of the
congressional committee appointed BY
the Democratic members of Congress tc
aid the committee appointed by the las
Democratic National Convention, to Sc
lect the time and place of holding the
next Democratic National Convention
Senator Hendricks, the Great Mogul o.
Indiana Democrats, constitutes the tai
of the committee. Fernandy," as the
"boys" Familiarity call him, having Sc
much to do with selecting the time anG
place of holding the next Convention
will be equally prominent in determining
who it dominates, and what it announces
as Democratic doctrine
But this prominence given to Fernan-
do Wood, is not the only evidence thai
peace-dishonorable though it may be
is to be the war cry of the Democracy in
the coming Presidential canvass. TIL,
official organs of the party, in this and
other States, proclaim that as the true
doctrine, and denounce every Democrat
who manifests disposition to support
the Government in its efforts to suppress
the rebellion. But few days ago the
State Sentinel read Judge Perkins a Sc
we're lecture for daring to assert, in 6
published letter, that he was in favor o.
the war as prosecuted. The Judge was
given to understand that he was not au
thorized to speak for the Democracy, i
that was his opinion.
------r -
of notice only as it reflects the senti
ments and opinions of leading papers
aud men in its party, uses what influence
1t possesses to prevent Democrats from
enlisting. 1t decries the Administration
misrepresenting the object for which the
war is waged, and exaggerating the
strength and resources of the rebels. In
a recent number it justifes the prolonga.
ton of the struggle by the rebels, Gin
whose hearts" it asserts, "the fires oil
'76 live, as in our own" We COPY most
of the article, because it sustains the
/ viayvS vva hove +ol-on :. ..1 IL