Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-10-01
CONVENTION OF WAR DEMOCRATS.
ADDRESS AND RESOLUTIONS.
70 CoLuMBus, o., Sept. as.

at bali past two O'Clock the Conyen.
ton was called to order. In response
to a general invitation. Col. Burke and
VIM. Fitzgerald of your city, made
capital speeches in favorof an active
prosecution of the war, denouncipg in
strong terms pesee men. Three cheers
were given to the Army Of the Cum
befland, BY gentlemen Of The conven-
ton. % -
s71 when Col. Burke had completed bis
speech Committee on sd5sess report.
ed The following, which was adePsvd
without single dissenting voice:
ADDRESS OF rHE WAR DEMOCRATS.
t'To The Democracy Of Ohio:
- "FELLow CITrzEEs: Having met
for the purpose, among other things,
to adopt such measures as the exigeu-
cies of the occasion demand for the
welfare of our common country, we
feel it duty which we cannot ignore
nor thrust aside, to address you briefly,
but plainly and truthfuily, upon the
momentous question of the day, and,
if possible, to stay the mad and furious
torrent of fanaticism which seems to be
sweeping, with utmost irresistible
force, over the face of our once happy
country. We have fallen upon troub-
lous times. Passion and prejudice seem
TO rule the hour. Reason snd judg-
ment have been dethroned and fansti-
cism and ultraism sway the scepter un-
disturbed, over the public mind. Our
country, our Government, that blessed
inheritance descended TO us from our
forelathers, is to all but the hopeful, in
the very last throes Of expiring nature.
In whatever direction the eye is turned
the horizon of our national existence is
overcast with portentlous clouds, which
human wisdom and human sagscity
seem totally inadequate TO penetrate or
brush away. We are not apologists
for mistakes and errors of the Ad,
ministratiou in the prosecution Of the
war, nor do we approve Of, or sanction,
factious opposition which is being
brought to bear against legitimate as
well as doubtful powers Of the Govern
ment, to put down rebellion, suppress
iDsurrection, and enforce obedience to
the constitutional laws of the land, and
when we are asked to sanction and ap-
prove, by the exercise OF most
solemn and most important privilege,
the elective franchise, to approve, to
use no harder term, the course Of mis-
guided opposition which. from the very
beginning has studiously and persistent
ly opposed every effort put forth to
save the life of the nation, we do most
earnestly, yet most calmly and deiber-
ately enter our solemn protest against
II and call upon and earnestly entreat
all candid men 10 re feet before voting
for the very embodiment of this oppo-
silion. You, as well as we, are called
upon by an imperative voice Of con-
Fention, to vote for G. L. Vallandig- |
ham for Governor of the State OF Ohio. |
We admit this call comes TO us clothed
with power and prestige of party lines
and party fealty; iT comes to us laden |
with associations Of former years, but
all these cannot be made to avail a |
festher's weight when our country, our
kindred, and the future OF this Repub-
lie are at stake. Believing as we do |
that the action of the convention in |
nominating Mr.. V. was great mistake,
and one which, if approved and sane
toned by TIRE people at the polls, will
seriously endanger the perpetuity of
our Government, we have felt and
now feel it our duty to withhold from
him our support, and thus clear our
skirts Of all completely with the
agency by which it is brought about.
And in so doing, we stand by the
doctrines advocated by Douglas, by
every Democratic member Of Con-
gress from Ohio, and by the entire
Democracy of tbelzorth, except Mr..
Vallandigham-and Small faction prior
to Mr.. VS. nomination for Governor.
In no wise do we affiliate or approve
OF the doctrines Of abolitionism or ia
naticisr1 of any kind But self re-
spect as well as duty to you requires
that we should state briefly aud can
didly the reasons why we are thus
compelled to withhold our votes from
Mr.. Vallandighsm, and which, per-
haps, in ordinary times. we might pass
by in silence, even if unable to ap-
prove, for the reason that such views,
although entertained by cand idates,
would never find an opportunity to be
made effective, and could not influence,
the conduct of people of other States,
not then. as now, in rebellion. 1st, We
cannot support Mr.. ", because. in his
speech in Congress. February 2e,
1861, he said: at is in vain to tell me
that States cannot secede. States
have seeded. In three months their
agents and commissioners will return
from Europe with recognition by
Great Britain and France and other
powers of the Continent" {Record,
page, .76.b Again: Secession has
been tried aud has proved a speedy
and terrible success. The practicabiiity
Of doing it, and the way to do it, baye
been established" Record, page 81 J
Again: "1f apy one or more Of the
States of this Union should secede for
reasons Of the suficiency Of which. be-
fore God and the Great Tribunal Of
history they alone may judge, much
as ! should dePlOre it, I never would,