Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-09-16
USION NATIONAL TICKET.
FOR PRESIDENT,
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
roR VICE PRESIDENT,
ANDREW JOHNSON.
The Chicago Platform and General Nc.
CleIlan.

In his discourse last week in the Town
Hall. Hon. Paul Dillingham; said well and
truly, that no matter in what terms Gen.
Mcclellan might accept the nomination of
the Chicago Convention, he could not, prac-
hod7y, get off from the platform they had
made for him. If elected, the men who
nominated him would be too powerful for
any resistance he could make, if he wished
to make any.
1t is said by one who probably knows,
that the interview between Gen. Mcclellan
and the Committee of the Convention, which
formally notified him Of his nomination, was
long and exciting, owing to apparent differ
ences Of opinion on the war and peace ques-
tions, hut that il ended tremendously and to
the satisfaction of all. As Gov. Seymour
of New York was the chairman of that com
mittee it is safe to say that he was sure of
Gen McClellan's course that if elected he
would conform to the wishes of the conven-
tion-n short to the wishes of the ultra
pro-slavery democracy, North and South. A
breach is already announced among those
who Joined to nominate him, Wood, Valan-
digham and others saying that he does not
place himself on the platform and they call
for new nomination. This breach may
amount To something of importance but
we rather u.ink that when these mal-con-
tents cln>iler the matter more carefully,
they will c ncirde they were too hasty-
that cunsidei ing all circumstances they could
not have exIec'ed him to be more explicit
without rnining all their prospects at
blow, ard - they will fall again into line.
A scrutiny ~ zen. McClellan's letter, IN
few points. viii show that it is not so far DIS
cOrdant vii. the platform, practically, as at
FIRST sight it may seem. In fact, he assumes
near the close of his letter that his views
and those Of the convention are the same
The men who composed the convention had
given him litcir views in their resolutions
lie gave t.rm his in his letter, and says he
believe. ''-ev agree and therefore he accepts
the nomination. What more could they
ask!
The cav ntion said it was for the Union,
4" with serving fidelity So says Gen.
Mcclellan. not once only. but with slight
change, oi words, half dozen times. No
body I'M, open rebels are bold enough to say
they are ST the disruption Of the Union, al
tbougi. many of the democracy, as they call
ihem.riv.-. would be satisfied to have the
Union g anged to a mere confederation. For
that Ter, many of them assert, with JEFF.
Dari-, that it is nothing more than that
now /, is doubtful whether Gen. McClel-
Ian lie not Of this number. lie says
- The preservation Of our Union was the sole
svowed object for which the war was commenced
II SHOULD have been conducted for that object
only. AEd IN accordance with those principles
which took occasion to declare when in active
-srNcs."
t'cn Mcclellan seems to forget who began
tire war. The war began to destroy the
Uniun, with scizing the forts, mInts, arms,
e'ifs. armories and aayy-yards of the Union,
and with reducing by bonbardmcnt fort
which WINS held by United States force.
Tie government and loyal people of the ma
tion took up arms to save the Union. No
other object has been aimed at or avowed,
and when Gen. Mcclellan implies the con-
trary, he knows better. BE attacks with a
by-blow the government Of bis country,
while the convention attacked 1t openly.
His language is courtly and the conventions
language is rufhanly, but the meaning is the
same.
Like the Convention he has no rebuke for
the rebels. A stranger to our country could
hardly infer from his language that there
were any. Cancellation, compromise with
" our present adyersaries, are enjoined as
the all important things. Not word of
encouragement to the brave men in arms to |
stand boldly and to fight bravely for their
country comes from his lips. The convention
had none and he has none. Not word to |
encourage his countrymen to fill up the
ranks of our armies with Grant and Sher-
man and Sheridan not word of congratu-
lation over the glorious victories of Mobile
and Atlanta came out of bis mouth, though
the sound of the cannon which doomed forth
the joy Of loyal people, had hardly died
in bis ear. The Convention had no response
to such sounds, and he has none either. How
could he, If be hao the warm heart of a
Union soldier within him, help adverting to
those grand events-events which create
JssnAtion throughout both continents? The
BEST that be can say is that I" as soon as it is
clear or even probable, that our present ad-
versaries are ready for peace, we are to ex-
hsust all the resources Of craftsmanship"
(bow much that sounds like Horatio Sey-
aour J Ito secure such peace, re-establish
Ahe Union and guarantee for the future the
constitutional rights Of every State"
Gen. Mcclellan once said be had conferred
with Judge Woodward, copperhead candi-
date tor Governor Of Penn, and found they
agreed in their views, and be strongly favored
his election. But Judge Woodward believes
that the United States Government has no
power to compel the military service Of its cit
liens to defend its existence-that that power
resides not in the U. S. Government but in
the Statee-that the States only are sover-
oign. The Chicago Convention men and
Gen. Mcclellan probably agree with Judge
Woodward; and the wise Craftsmanship"
which Gov. Seymour and G. B. Mcclellan
ak about, would be expected to busy itself /
It once with giving additional force to the J
State rights doctrine-the doctrine on I