American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-09-21
The Chicago Convention.

ton will satisfy every foreign and domes-
tic enemy of American Union and Liber-
ty. 1t declares that the Government of
the United States is guilty of resisting
rebellion, and that the American people
can not maintain the authority of their
laws. 1t has no word of righteous wrath
against the recreant citizens who have
plunged the country in the blood of civil
war, but lavishes its fury upon the consti-
tuted authorities which have steadily de-
Tended the Union. 1t has no censure for
any act of rebellion, but the war measures
taken by the Administration, under the
authority of the Constitution, are brandeu
as tyrannical and despotic. There is not a
word in it that can cheer any soldier or
sailor fighting for his country; not a syla
BILE that stirs the blood of patriot. 1t
is craven, abject, humilatirg. Itconfess-
es the defeat of the Union cause, and COW
ertly implores the mercy of Jefferson Da-
Wis and his crew.
And this at moment when stout old
Farragut is laundering at Mobile; when
the inexorable Grant clutches at the Wei
don Road, which, as an officer in his army
writes, it like touching the cubs of ii
gress;' when Early's Shenandoah inva-
sion is too late forsuccess; when Sherman
is closing around Atlanta; when Stateaf-
ter State is supplying its quota of fresh
soldiers; when gold steadily declines
when universal public confidence awak-
ening and when the rebels are plainly,
palpably struggling to hold out only long
enough to see if the election, by the ele-
vation of the Chicago candidate, will not
turn to their advantage.
Never again will this nation have Affair."
er chance of maintaining its constitution
al authority than it has now. For three
years it has, at every disadvantage, bat
tied against this formidable conspiracy,
and never was the conspiracy in so des-
perate strait. The country has it by
the throat. A little more force, closer
pressure, and the monster falls strangled,
dead forever. A little less force, a relax
ed hold, wavering purpose, and the sea-
ly folds of rebellion thrill with hope to
the extremity; it renews its strength, it
recruits its venom, and darts deadler
blow at the life of the country.
As the Chicago Platform declares the
war hopeless, its friends will of course
wish to see its position confirmed, Every
victory of Grant, of Farragut, and of
Sherman will therefore be unwelcome
Every brave man who enlists will be
grulged. The rise Of prices will be
hailed with delight; while universal dis
asters to our armies and navies, and the
victories of the rebel armies will be hail.
ed with exultation as conclusive proof of
the failure to restore the Union by the
experiment of war" There is not an
English lord or European aristocrat, not
sneerer at popular government and friend
of despotism in the world, who will not
applaud the Chicago Platform and hope
for the success of its candidate.
The political campaign is opened. 1t
will be short, sharp, and decisive, and the
most momentous the country has ever
known. If Mr. Lincoln is e-elected the
Union, the authority of the Government,
and the national honor will he maintain
ed Internationally; the rebellion, strain
ed and bafied on every side, will be sup
pressed; and the peace and prosperity of
the country be permanently re-established.
If General Mcclellan is elected there will
be an attempt to negotiate, to compromise,
to bargain with the rebels In the effort
it is not the disputed point, it is the dig
nifty and character of the Government
which will be compromised A treachcr-
GUS truce will be patched up and labeled
peace, and after staggering under its dis
honor and disgrace for a miserable while
the country will plunge forward again in
to the flaming gulf of war.
The issue is simple and sublime. 1t is
the life or the degradation of the nation.
1t is to show that Government of the
people is equal to every exigency-ready
for taxation, ready for military service,
ready for endurance, ready for forbearance
that it is as strong as any Government
in the world, and stronger-that in war it
is as powerful and resoute and orderly as
in peace it is industrious and prosperous.
There seems to us but one way in which
this can be shown, but one way in which
utter national humiliation can be avoided,
and that it is by the steady and strong
hand of war until the rebels confess the
authority of the Government. That is
the policy which is personi6ed in Abra
! ham Lincoln and Andrew johnson, and
which we shall most strenuously support,
for it is the cause of the peace and happi-
ness of the American people.-Hapers'
Weekly.