The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1864-11-09
The War Democracy

The meeting Of War Democrats from al
over the loyal States. al Cooper Institute,
New York. Nov lst. Was great success
4 magnificent triumph u true loyalty over
old time party attachments. Speeches
were made by Gen Dix. Hon Francis B.
Cutting Judge Edwards Pierreponi, Gen.
Sickles, Gen. Hiram Waibridge, Hon Dana
Coddington and others. The resolutions
declare uneqnivocally for the war against
the Chicago Platform and in support OF the
Administration
The primary object OF this Convention,
as was evident from the great care taken 10
obtain representation 4 all the Stat In
the Union, was TO organize the loyal por-
ton Of the Democratic party so that after
the deiea. Of the disloyal Democrats and
their candidates on the Sth November the
loyal portion would step forward as the OIL
" existing Democratic party This was
clearly brought to view in the speech Of
General nix, from which We cut the follow
ing:
q. What course shall We q lad Vlduals.
pursue Al the approaching elec Jn.
z What measures shall We adopt 10 and
in restoring the Democratic Party u tie
confidence of the country
In regard 10 the first question. He have
no advice TO give. except that no Democrat
should support the nominees OF the Chlca-
90 Convention or the policy it has pro-
claimed, believing, a We DO, that such a
cooperation would place IL IN the same
relation TO the country a. that on which the
Federal Party stood. III the days OF is de
cline, as opponents 10 the war OF lol2.
When the existing war with its dangers,
its trials, its suffering. and Its eXcIemenls
shall have passed away, We believe that no
man can have any greater cause for regret
than that of having supported candidate
for the highest hOnOrs OF the Republic, who
is bound by the declarations put forth as the
basis Tor his action, 10 ask rebels with arms
in their hands 10 grant Us 80 cessation OF
| hOstilties."
/ In regard 10 the second question. We III
tend 10 Law the foundations to-day for re-
organization Of the Democratic Party, Oh
I the principles Of Jefferson and Jackson.
I We have not come together as War Demo
Gratis. but simply a Democrats. and a. al
I integral part of the Democracy Of The
/ Union. separating ourselves under a sense
OF imperiOus duty to the country IN liz great
extremity. from those through whose man
+ agement. lack OF sagacity and want OF dis
+ Interested patriotism, it has fallen into de
moralization and reproach. From thi'
/ depth it can never rise again under tbs
auspices OF those who have thus misled
and BETRAYED it, The conditions of its re
/ organization, which We regard as fnnda
mental are:
/ /. A prosecution Ot the war with all the
v9or that can be infused into it until III,
/ rebellion Is suppressed; not for the suhju
CATION of the Southern people. but for the
/ overthrow OF their leaders VINO reject al
COMPROMISES under the Constitution. aM1
who should be expelled from the country
T or compelled To submit to the authority o
4 the Government, and suffer the punishment
/ due 70 their crimes.
I ?. The support OF the state Govern
ments in all their rights undcr the COnsti
tuition. IA defined by Jefferson in his inau
gural address In lSol.
3. A scrupUlous abstinence from the cX
ercise OF all powers not clearly cOntrrre,
by law.
( 4. The selection o.. the ablest ANA best
I men lti RillCts anu an Nllt4 -
the degrading rule OF availability.
I :. An amendment Of the Constitution
OF Tie United States, which shall allow
every citizen to vote directly for President
and Vice President, instead OF the present
system Of voting by electoral colleges
which leaves him no alternative but to lost
his vote or to cast it for one of the candi
dates presented by party conventions.
6. An amendment OF the Constitution
which shall render the President ineligible
after one term OF service.
Z. A preservation Of the Union not as
q reconstruction, but as a continuance on
( the basis OF the Constitution. which We hold
to be in tull vigoF a a perpetal compact,
with none of its rights, duties powers OF
guarantees impaired or capable Of being
modified, except in the mode prescribed
by its own stipulatiOns-'