Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-09-08
THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.


Objectionable in some of its features that only
"sympathizers with the rebellion" can award it
liberation and respect. And those who built the
structure at Baltimore two months ago seem to have
been still more unfortunate in their political car
penterwork, for the sfplatform has already given
way in at least three places 1t will be remembered
that the sixth "plank" in the fabric was as fol-
lows:
Resolved, That we deem it essential to the general
welfare that harmony sha prevail in the national councils
and regard worthy Of public confidence and official
those only uho cordially endorse the principles pro-
claimed in these resotiogs and hch should characterize
the administration Of he Government"
1t was generally conceded at the time that this
declaration meant something, and was aimed at
somebody, but what 1t means and whom it was
aimed at no two classes OF journals agree in affirm
ing BY some Of cur contemporaries it was sup
posed to be palpable hit at Mr.. Chase for his
known want of identity Of opinion with the Pre-
sident in many matters Of theoretical policy as in
many measures Of practical administration. Others
saw and still see in it blow aimed at Messrs
Seward Blair, and Bates for their alleged want Of
entire sympathy with the policy and objects of the
radical portion Of the Republican party, which
ruled the Convention in It's declaration of prin~
ciples, if not in its choice Of Presidential candi
date. To this effect the New York Independent
wrote as follows soon after the Convention ad-
journed:
1--WE grant tho indlrecness Of the Baltimore resolution
concerning the Cabinet we grant, ii necessary its
msnlness; we believe in calling spade spade, and
BLAIR Blair But with all its we'll aimed aimlessness it
morally binds the President to make changes in his Cab
NET That resolution fired al too targets, Mr. Blair
and Mr. Se,0ard-those two St Sebastlans, pierced of
many arrows, and slowly dying of their wounds
Der Of the committee resolutions told that, though
euphemsms were put before the public, there no
sparing Of plain talk in the committee roomtha mince
meat made-of those two CSbinet ocersas the song
SAYS pretty dsh TO set before the President Anoer
m{mber of that committee said hope for the remoDat
Mr. Blair Immediately the the better for the
are 10 be be for Abraham Lincoln Oouid Suing sir
bats and gipe three cheers if three changes could be
nonneed In tOmorrO,os paper We simply state facts
To like purport the Washington Daily Chroni-
Gle, in its number of last July 1st, interpreted
this clause Of the platform against the continued
retention Of certain members of the present Cabi-
nent. It said !:
Chat there should be gapizaton Of the Cabinet
the National Convention has virtually declared aad Ac
almost unanimous sentiment Of the country aUouches;
and if such cation takes place The radical anti
iapesy sentiment Of the country IS entitled to emphatic
recognition"
Yet, in spite of this declaration, the Cabinet is
not organized"
Anotherof the declarations of the Baltimore
Convention was as follows:
Resoued That we approve the position taken by the
the people the United States never
Power TO overthrow by force supplant by fraud the
institutions of any Republican Government on the Western
Continent; and that they will view with extreme Jealousy
menacpg TO the peace and independence OF their own
country the efforts of any such Power to obtain new
foothods for Monsrcbca Governments sustained by for
eiQn military force, in proximity to the United
States"
In his letter accepting the nomination Mr..
Lincoln was particular to say that " the position
of the Government in relation to the action Of
France in Mexico, as assumed through the State
Department, and endorsed by the Convention,
among the measures and acts of the Executive,
will be faithfully maintained SO long as the state Of
facts shall leave that position pertinep and apple
cable" He refused to accept the declaration as
binding principle, and reduced it to floating
measure of Executive administration, dependent
on "t the state Of facts" which shall seem at
any time to render it more or less "pertinent
and applicable"
Another of the "planks" Of the platform was a.
follows :
q Resoiped, That approve the determination Of the
Government Of the United States compromise totu
reJes to offer any terms Of peace eIctpt such
be based upon unconditional surrender If their Hostility
and retnrn their first allegiance 10 the Constitution
and laps Of he United States aud that we call upon h
Government to maintain their position and to prosecute
the war with the utmost possible vgor to the complete
Of the rebellion in full reliance upon the self
sacrificing patriotism the heroic yaor, and the undynt
devotion Of tho American people to their country aud 1T
free institutions"
This plank Mr.. LINCOLN has fairly shivered BY
his Niagara manifesto, for in that rescript ht
offered 10 make " compromise with rebels" ant
he proposed terms Of peace in excess of Ga return
to their first allegiance to tho Constitution ane
laws of the United States" He offered to +" com
promise with rebels" when in that misive h
pledged himself to meet oby proposition embracing
the condition he specified with 'liberal terms OIL
other collateral and substantial points" He ex
ceeded the terms of peace prescribed by the Con
vention when he required the abandonment 0
slavery in addition to the restoration of the Union
but perhaps he found authority for this extra-con
stitutional demand in another resolution Of tn
b,dy.'
Il will thus be seen that the Baltimore platforr
x,rr 80 lod copditiop