The Portland daily press., 1864-09-19
Monday Morning, Sept. 10, 1864.
The Chicago Convention.
Appeal of ,he National Union Committee
TO the people of the Uailed States.
HEADQUARTERS
NATIONAL UNION COMMITTEES

New York, Sept. 9, 1866.
The great Rebellion, which Tor more tnan
three years has wrapped the nation in the
flames OF civil war, draws near its crisis. Its
armies have been beaten, its territory has been
conquered, the forts and posts which 1t treach-
erously seized have been occupied and held by
the soldiers OF the Republic, its foreign allies
have been detached from its support, and its
hostile arm, paralyzed by exhaustion and dis
couraged by defeat, is upheld solely by the
hope of political victories TO be achieved by
its allies In the Presidential election OF Nov.
ember next.
Ii the people in that election sustain tie
government, II they reassert its just authority
and resifirm their purpose TO maintain 1t by
war SO long as war assails it, the rebellion will
speedily end. Ii they falter in this determine
ton or leave any room for doubt ON this vital
point, the rebels will take fresh courage and
prolong the contest. Every utteranca OF their
organs and their agents afiirms and confirms
this position. Every rebel in arms-and every
rebel In office-every rebel organ Ia the rebel
States or in foreign lands--every hatred of
democratic freedom and the rights of man,
longs aud labors for the overthrow OF the ad-
ministration and the expulsion of Abraham
Lincoln from the Presidential chair.
In the Northern and Western States this
hostility has beeD embodied and organized in
the acts and declarations of the Chicago Con-
vention. That Convention gives silent ap-
proyal OF the rebellion itself, and an open con-
demnation OF the war waged for its suppress
ion. Without 3 word OF censure for the con-
spirators who plotted Ihe nations death, it
brands with unsparing denunciation the pa
trtots and heroes who defend its life. While
Ii passes in utter silence the gigantic usurpa-
tions of Jefferson Davis and his confederate
traitors-while 1t Cyerlooks entirely, and thus,
by Just and necessary inference, approves their
abrogalion OF political rights and personal
liberties over all that portion of the United
States in which they have been able thus far
10 sustain their usqrped authority, i pours
out its wrath, without stint or measure, upon
every act BY which the Constitutional Presi-
dent OF the United States has sought to defend
and protect the life and liberties the nation,
whose executive power is placed in his hands.
That Convention had no words Of exulta-
tion Tor our victories: no thanks and honors
for the soldiers and sailors who have SIZED
their blood to achieve them. While it denoun-
ces our government for neglect of duty to-
ward onr ..fellow-citizens, who are now and
long have been, prisoners OF war in suffer-
ing condition." il has not even syllable of
censure for those rebel authorities who, with
more than savage cruelty. and In utter disre-
gard OF every dictate OF humanity, as well as
ofevery usage Of civilized warfare, have delib-
erately and with systematic purpose inflicted
upon these prisoners all the tortures ofexpos-
ure. of neglect and starvation. and have offer
ed premiums for their murder to The brutal
guards 10 whose grim custody they were con-
signed. And, on the very eve of the most
aiorius victories that haYe ever crowned our
erms--after three years Of bloody, costly and
successful war, when three-fourths OF the ter
ritory originally held by the rebels has passed
into our hands at the very moment when the
rebellion itself is tottering to its fall, and the
flag of our country Is rapidly advancing to
It's old supremacy, the party represented at
CHICAGO demands Ln3t "immediate Efforts be
made for a cessation Of hostilitiesn-a step
which would instantly arrest our oonqnerine
armies and snatch from them the glorles OF d
final triumph, repeal the blockade and throw
the whole rebel frontier open to the supple:
they SO sorely need, secure the recognition o
. foreign powers, and either accomplish theii
Independence or give them the ability TO hgh
for ID ipnr years longer.
We appeal 10 the people OF the unite'
States-loyers Of the Union and friends o
Pr Prsedom-against the consummation OF the
foul crime against both which the acts and de
claratons of the Chicago Convention involve
We invoke them not to sanction these princl
pies and sentiments by electing the candl
dates put forward TO represent them. W.
implore them, as they love their country, &
they seek the renewed integrity of It's terrific
~, as they desire the peaceful protection o
lis flag, aud the blessings OF its free institu
tions and its equal laws for themselves an,
their posterity, not 10 arrest the blow Thicl
is Just ready 10 descend upon the rebeilio
nov totLering to its fall not to give the n
bells time TO renew their strength for fires
conflicts not to aid those who would al
them in overthrowing our governmsnt, i
destroying our Union, in pluaging into
chaos Of anarchy The great communities I
slick the Constitution makes one great an
q orious Nation, and 10 thus extingaishing, d
q aly and forever, the hopes OF all who hay
Faith In Freedom and the Rights OF Man.
We cali upon the People to bear in min
that. by whatever sophislries they may cloa
their purposes, the Chicago Convention neitl
er condemns tho action OF the Richmond rel
els. nor proposes TO expe! thell against the
viii or by any exercise OF force, from Ii
seats of power which they have usurped.
ali essential respects the action that the Coz
ventiop took accords with the ends that u
rebess seek. Both desire cessation OF, no
tiities. Both denounce, with unsparing b
.e,ness. the Government of the United STATE
ard both alike seek its overthrow. Both
mand that the attempt to conquer an armt
rebellion By force OF arms shall be abandon
ed. And both demand that, when the Go
ernment of the United States shall have pas
ed into the bands OF men opposed to an arr
ed defence of the Government against reb'
lion, The war shall end by peaeeigl conieren'
Of these allied powers. What more than II
could the rebels ask or need for consumm
iion OF all their plans? We call upon .
people to bsaE 10 mind that, il they elect Il
candidate OF the Chicago Convention, th,
arrest the Government in the executions
It's plans and purposes on the very eve
their fulflment, and one-third of a year b
fore any new administration can take pla,
The interval will be one of hope and con
aenae for tie rebels, and of exulta,ion
,s.efr -il,es 10 the loyal states. In the We
eFn States arui6d pfeparations haze a.reac
been made by the disciples and advocates
accession, to follow the example OF the Sou
and sever the West from the Federal Uni
The success of the Chicago programme
November will be the signal for carryi
these designs into execution; aud the lou
bs March will dawn upon anew Western G
federacy, aiming at independence, defying
power Of the national arms, aud cooperat
with the slave power Of the Southern Sta
in blotting from existence the free Repu
of the Western world.
We call upon the People to crush al II
schemes, and to brand their authois and al
with their lasting reprobation, We call u
them TO support the Government, to quell
rebellion, to defend and preserve the Uni
We call upon them to stand by the Preside
A. - arnfa a