Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-09-27
TO THE WAR DEMOCRATS OF THE UNITED
S1ATR5 49, .fef

6TATRS. " stsn
A Convention OF men Of various political issues
assembled at Cleveland on the 3lst day Of May
last, for the purpose OF disohargng from the
suppression OF the Rebellion the infraotion OF the
rights Of both individuals and States which at
tended IT, The presence Of large number OF
War Democrats unexpectedly contributed to my
nomination by the Convention for the Vice Pres-
dency, preceded by that Of John @, Fremont for
President. .,,.
Tho principles which dictated my acceptance
Of the nomination, approved themselves at the
time 10 very general regard, and hsve since, in
my opinion, lost none Of their original virtue or
vigor Their practical assertion was required,
it was thought, by the success with which per-
sonal liberty had been assaulted and the extremi-
ties to which constitutional freedom had been
reduced. Not the leRst inducsment, however,
was the consideration that the redress OF grie-
vances in the manner proposed could not inter-
rupt but would entirely consort With = yigoT-
Gus prosecution ef the war. 1t, certainly, was
not contemplated that fhs success Of the candi-
dates should in any degree impair or endAnger
that most important part Of the Platform which
resolved "that the Rebellion must be suppressed
By force Of arms aud Without .oompromSe"
Instead OF the Democratic party, 81 was then
hoped and expected, cooperating at this point
they houted the war, ut Chicago, and pronoun-
oed for unconditional peace. When, "to exhaust
the resources Of craftsmanship" and to allow
''Ihe spirit Of Cancellation and compromise to
prevail" Gen. Mcclellan virtually asserts that
| there shou be IN cessation OF hostilties," he
is in agreement with the Convention which nom-
mated him. When, however, be proposes, 10 the
alternative of war, that the rebelous States shall
be restored to precisely their fOrinsr conditio
in the Union, with precisely the same political
representations ms when they departed from il,
he rejects Convention Of States, on which An
the peaceab.e means, tho Chicago Convention
evidently relied for recUustruotug the Union out
Of States physically debi,ated and politically
shOin. While. therefore, Gen. Mcclellan re-
Bolyes upon impossible Union as it was,
through VAT, the Convention resolves upon an
Impossible Union as it should be. through peace.
That the candidate does not stand erect upon his
platform, though admitting question whether,
If elected, ho would negotiate peace, permits
none, that il elected, he could not effectively
prosecute tue war
Tie success Of the Chicago nominees would
theriore at the best bat place iu power q party
of divided counsels, of uncertain policy, and Of
indscsiTe action. Clearly such an event would
be OF the farthest from "a suppression Of the Re-
bellion by force Of arms aud without compro-
mise.
The Baltimore platform, however objeetiona-
at other points, is unimpeachabe at this and
while it fails to vindicate personal rights, and
tno ilbuhn VI EEtb CpHtCu huu tub ATtbbf " uOeb
mot fail to refer the reestablshment of oonstltu-
tioHal liberty aud the restoration OF the Union
TO the arbitrsment Of arms, in which, aud in
which alone, the national safety is to be found.
We stand within view Of o rebellion suppressed
within hail Of o country reunited and saved.
War lifts the curtain and diecloses the prospect.
War has given to us Atlanta, and war offers to
us Richmond.
Shall we exchange the proifered victory for a
af hnaffltffaa ~ No I An MA founht a
the beginning Wo should 6ght to the end and
when Rebellion shall have laid down It's arms
may we peacefully reconstruct whatever the war
for the Union shall be found 10 have spared -
"LHy down your arms" then, as il was at the
commencement, 30 it is now, oil that is deman-
ded by loyal Americans Of their rebelliouH
brothers.
would certainly prefer that the American
people could be brought TO a vote on the several
propositions peculiar to the Cleveland platform.
The right Of asylum--ths one term polioy--the
direct vote Of the people for their national chief
magistraie---the Monroe dootrine--the conhning
exclusively to the representatives OF the people
: in Congress the re construction OF States-and
the amendment Of the Federal Constitution to
prohibit Slayery-are principles Of primary
magnitude and Importance But before all these
is our Country. 1t is menaeed by Rebellion
Loyal armies alone protect it. Should those
armies retreat, aud ourprotection be withdrawn
or should they advance, aud our safety be es-
tablshed Shall there be peace through the
concessions Of politicians, or peace through the
action Of war I That is the question.
Peace and division, or war and The Union.---
Other alternative there is none. And, as still
am of the mind that once led me to the field with
the soldiers Of tie Republic, cannot now hold
a position which, by dividing, haEArds the sues
cess Of all those who whStever their differences
ut other poiss, agree, as upon the question Of
frit consequence, that the restoration Of the
Union cannot DO effected without the uninter-
rupted continuation cf the var, UM9
|, therefore, Withdraw my name from the
Cleveland ticket. ...
Very truly yours,
JOHN CocHRANE.