Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1864-09-09
VOLUME 81. NO. 43,


I oi hnding The issues ready-n2 le by the
events Of the var bad passed. Il vas not
made until after q scene of excit~reot and
turmoil. which has but one precedent even
IN the annals Of democratic conventions.
For dsys the result has seemed 10 sway
hithsr and thither. Ike the surges OF the
mob ~hieh has choked the streets Of Chica-
60 Whether u vas expedient that the re-
suit should point towards peace or war. to-
wards the honor OF our country or is eier-
nal Degradation. was a question wh ich vas
debated With unparalleled fury. and the
decision. taken As a whole. is unique in po-
lifical history.
In IL resolutions and by Its leading speak
ers the convention declared is opposition
10 the var aud Us reAdiness 90 eornprosn ise
With armed trSitors IL has nominated q man
whose sole claims % such adistinction grow
oot Of his participation in the conduct Of
this very var. The convention tienoanees
arrests by military authority and elamor.
Tor the rights of States the candidate. "a
that general Who b. ssch arrests once Actual-
y suppressed the government Of so.er-
eign State" The convention declares in
favor Of the q immediate cesssfion Of hos
uliies and for compromise Afterwar,l the
candidate ia a report pgblshed only one
year ago SAYS. - believe that a necessary
- preliminary 10 The re-estabIishment Of the
q" Cnion Is the entire defeat or sirtaaI de,-
% trsetion Of the organized military power
LOT the confeleraies, "A preliminary
which. a. the convention delights in assur-
ing the country. has not vet been accom-
Piished- The convention did indeed omit
TO argue. What its varioss leading members
are never tired of insisting upon. that COM
Pulsory military service - q. contrary 10 the
genius Of our institsiions Its rvtiornee
sPon this POint ~as jadiciOas. seeing thai IL
selected a. its candidate the frst man Of
note who proposed to IN our armies BY
draft.
We call this result unique for II plat
form and candidate have any political sig
nIhcance whatever they cannot stand togeth-
er. The ruling idea Of the platform -
peace and adhesion 10 It's methods of action.
a. whatever risk Of national shame the can
di'lAte has no standing before the country
except IN a military sharacter. and has de-
iener against tie heaviest charges rests up
on has asserted real and ability IN sxeeu-
ting the system Of measures which che plat
form rvsOluteiy condemns a. Ne are TO
suppose that the platform represents a set
lied conviction. the convention should have
scorned such a candidafe.-as the ultra
peace men for ;beir part dad IN COED set
terms. II the deience made for the candi-
date Is sound and sincere. be should spit
upon sach platform.
Ia our gudgmeut. however. the explana-
ton Of these incOnsisivbcies - easy. It's
bootless to weigh the probabilities whether
the convention and the party which IL repre-
scnis ar more or less Inclined 20 = Disgrace
fol peace tbAn might At hrst appear For
three morihs past the party has itself been
unable % answer thai question ofquestions.
Which lies Al the very threshold o. al polit-
zeal discussion Which y not entirely unmean-
ing. and has waited for time aud events 90
supply q With az answer. To this very day
different sections Of The party cannot agree
upon The ans~er. tn real position OF the
party A. party. BY rvicrcnce - -hich alone
the inoohercnce ofiis action can be- explain
cd. is one Of political Indifference a. to fhe
honor or disgrsce between which tbc nation
nov has Its chotce. The one sentiment Of
positive charactcr. on Which alone th- par
~ is agreed. b. 30 eager craving for party
success
The convention "a indiHerent A. O., tbs
dishonor of peace Purchased by compro-
mise uith srn.el traitors it "a indigersnt
- the probability Of fnal scparatioa a. the
result Of the military surrender -hich it
proposes The essential snd fundar.entat
q1esfions of pubiic policy Nh b must de-
termine our seal or sOs for COR wIlole fu-
tore history. ii vas ready 20 decide one
-ay or the other. or % postpone or % eyade.
acDoriing a. one course OF the other prom
ised best ior the Succession o. political pow
er. Add My sbould 80 -osd~r 81 thi.
readiness % surrender every vital question
and consideratioa. ior the Nitainmef q
mere party suooes.; The convention -as
made Up snd governed By ths class of men
~horn. for q generation past. tbe country
has been ready on every occasion 10 for-tt
sn Proisssions Of prinoiple. srd ell n be-
hssts Of honor or jHsii-e or sound patriot
i.rn. a. the dictafion ofthose southern ailics
~ho disteussi the sroi.s q ofboe. l. the
coantry wiling thar al his crisis of its his-
tory the oid indihrreace 20 its highe.t m