Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1864-10-05
S H E E & III 0E
HON. JAMES GUTHRIE.
Address Delivered at New Albany,
Ind, sept. I5--The Meaning of the
Chicago Plat m--Peace on the Basis
of the Union.

of the Union.
FELLOW CITIZENS OF INDIANA: Ken
lucky bids you God speed in this great
work of saving the nation. / have been
in Chicago. L HEow the platform there
adopted by the assembled Democracy.
| assisted in making it. l know what it
means. 1t means peace. 1t means peace
upon the basis of the re-establisement of
the Union in all its integrity. Who
would give up the mouth of the DHssis-
ippi and the grave of jackson for u peace
whicn divided this this Union? Who
would give up the glorious Constitution
of our fathers for peace which separ-
ates this glorious Republic! Not the
Democratic and conservative masses now
arrayed under the standard Of that hero
statesman, George B. Mcclellan. No,
fellow citizens, it is an other party which
would thus disrupt this nation if its hide
Gus dogmas Of Abolitionism are not ac-
cepted by the people of the South. The
Chicago platform, and the letter of ac-
ceptance of Mcclellan mean that the
President of the United States, and every
official of the Government, either in the
civil or military department, shall be as
Cbedient to the Constitution as the hum
blest citizen or soldier. 1t is a peace
platform on the basis of the Union, the
Constitution and the laws. Who dares
be against such Il platform? Who dares
say we shall not have peace upon the
basis Of the integrity Of the Federal
Union? II the South is against such
peace if she refuse to accept the offer of
such peace If a frank, earnest, and
persistent effort 10 obtain these objects
should fail, then the responsibility for ul-
terror consequences will fall upon those
who remain in arms against the Union.
But the Union must be preserved At all
hazards. Such is the construction Of the
Chicago platform as given by Genera!
Mcclellan, the nominee Of the couycn-
ton. Such is the construction | place
upon it. Such is the construction placed
upon it by the Democratic and con scrva-
tive masses Of the country. We viii
never give up the Mississippi for jeff.
Davis and all his crew. | know him
well. The South are for peace. Offer
them peace upon this basis and they will
take it-yes take it with JOY, and return
to their allegiance. 1t is the principle Of
the Constitution that the majority shall
rule 1t is not for one man 10 say that
we shall not have peace. Who is it that
reverscs this principle of the Constitution,
and say that the majority shall not rule
Abraham Lincoln and his party he who
denied the people the right Of free speech
and the liberty of the press. This is the
| first time since Abraham Lincoln WAS
c!ectcd-the first time since he violated
the Chicago platform in 1S60-sincc he
violated the laws of Congress-sincc he
violated the Constitution, that the Demo
cratic party has had a chance 10 speak
and now it will speak until it saves this
great republic-this precious Constitution.
1t will speak at the ballot box, the great
and sacred forum from which every
American citizen may speak with power.
| have a right as a Kentuckian, to speak
of jeff. Davis and Abraham Lincoln.
They were both born in Kentucky, and
both have disgraced that noble common
wealth, and her principles of equal right;
and just laws. Both OF them take men
against their wills to fight their battles
Lincoln is doing this now-torcing men
to fight for the abolition of slavery, NO
for the restoration of the Understanding
men into your houses with bayonets to
hold in awe pcaceable loyal citizens. lie
has to-day scattered throughout the loya
States Of the North soldiers enough to
subiugate jeff Davis confedcracy, Il
dominate over a free people. am FOL
peace-for peace which will give Us
back the old Union under the Constitution
l was member of the peace Congress il
1861. In that Congress | was for peace
concession, and renewed guarantees tt
all the States | believed then, as now
| that the great waste of precious BLOOD
t which has taken place would not restore
, the Union.
, 1 ask that the seven border free and th'
seven border slave States might propose ;
! basis for the settlement of all difficulties
They could have proposed such basis a
would have been full, final and honora
5 BILE, and satisfactory settlement. But tn
, radicals in that Congress would not con
, sent to it. Neither the Abolitionists of tn
, North nor the Secessionists of the Soutl
> would consent to it. They would hav
5 nothing but blood. Well, have we nc
had blood to the hearts content of tn