The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-09-17
AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE.


ELLow-coUNTRYMEN let US lake coun-
sci together. A political convention held at
Chicago offers to the SURFACES OF the American
people platform which ANONYMOUSLY ard
wickedly betrays to our common enemy the
sacred cause for which the North has been
contendiDg for four heroic years. This plat
form falls upon the country, not during Pc
riod OF gloom, as ii We were driven by General
Lee to the extremity OF surrender, but at the
brightest period Of the war; at u time when,
instead of falling at the feet of the enemy, the
enemy Is falling ut ours; at q time when our
arms never had such luster OF victories
achived, aud OF victories expected. In the
midst OF the great military aud naval move
menis OF Grant, Sherman, and Farragut-three
hard gauntled men, whose blows are making
the enemy reel in all parts Of the iield-a body
of conspirators leap up at Chicago, summon
ing The North to lay down its arms proclaim
ing to the rebellion that we cannot conquer it,
and giving to Jefferson Davis this message -
Sir, though you are already beaten, aud all
the world knows 1t. yet, If you can only hide
In winter quarters till next March, we, your
Northern allies, hoping then to be in posses
sion OF the government, will declare the strug-
gle drawn battle. victory on neither side, and
will give you an equal chance with loyal states
in the settlement"
Such is the baseness which great party in
the North are asked TO ratify with their votes
next November. We believe that the patriot
ism of a large portion of the Democratic party
is of too genuine a stuff to be cajoled by such
a devilisplot Those earnest War Democrats
who, from Fort Sumter till now, have not
grown weary IN giving themselves and their
substance to the Union cause, are not TO be de-
ceived by abe cunning strategy of the peace
men at Chicago. I'VE accept the platform
adopted by the Convention" says The New
York Daily News 1.-THE organ of Vallandigham,
Ben. and Fernando Wood "as great tri-
umph Of the peace party" This is true. But
what does it prove? 1t proves that from the
Democratic party the genuine men have fallen
away In such numbers rs to leave the few ma
lignant peace-plotters a majority in the man
agement That platform, the work of evil
minded men, writes defeat in advance upon
the banners ofthat party. Men who love their
country, whether Democrats or not, the mo-
ment they comprehend the full reasonable sig
Diilcance OF this Chicago flag OF truce, will re-
buke aud reject it with indignant scorn. Al
ready we are told that Mr.. Mcclellan has been
counseed by some of the better minded of his
admirers not to write his name in endorse
ment OF such an Insult TO bis country. There
are good men throughout the North, who have
thoughtand still think that Mr.. Mcclellan has
opinion which We have never shsred-but we
can heartily say that any man who, for any Of
fee under the skies, viii accept such plat
form as this, deserves to be branded in history
as the basest son OF his fatherland
To Republicans and War. Democrats-to all
staunch friends of the Union cause, by what
ever political name they are called-to all
good citizens who have heretofore cheeriuily
sustained tine Government la its efforts 10
,toa ai.< a,,I
solemn appeal to heal all past divisions, and
ia spite OF the apathy and lukewarmness OF
the past few months, now to close the ranks,
and henceiorward to march shoulder to
shoulder to the great struggle OF November
next. Let such alterations as now exist be
straightway forgotten. Ii the Baltimore Con-
vention was held too early, it is too late now
to remedy that misfortune. Ii the Presiden-
tial candidate was not the best that might
have been named, it is too late now to change
our line Of battle In the face of the enemy
Our friends know that we strenously urged,
in May last, a postponement till fall of the
political campaign; nor was our first choice
he distinguished name at the head of the
ticket and the Government But We solemn
~ believe that the one and undivided duty of
all loyal men is now to unite cordially, stren-
uously, enthusiastically TO give victory 10 the
platform and candidates of Baltimore, and
OVefWneiinlug uticat 10 the platform ana
candidates OF Chicago. Between the two,
the choice is between patriotism and treason,
between Slavery and Liberty, between a
country aud no country, between Jefferson
Davis and Abraham Lincoln. Choose We
this day whom ye will serve."
The prospect of victory Is brilliant. II a
fortnight ago Mr.. Lincoln's reelection seemed
doubtful, the case is now changed. The out
rageous character of the Chicago platform,
and the sunshiny effect of our late victories
by land and sea, have re- kindled the old en-
thusiasm in loyal breasts. We summon all
our friends to hard work. Organize. The
cause demands every man's best service. Let
every loyalist with tongue Ia his head go TO
every doubtful man in his neighDorhood, and
reason the case with him earnestly and can
didly. Ali men who will listen TO reason can
be made to see the turpitude of the Chicago
scheme for tha overthrow of the Republic.
Nor are ministers in their pulpits to be ex-
empt from this needed service Let them
take it and early opportunity to make known
the Christian duties Of a citizen to bis country
in such crisis as this. IL any pew holder is
afraid of politics 10 the pulpit, and stays away
on that account let not the minister be out
witted by this poor stratagem, but immediate
ly visit him at his store or house-in no case
letting any man find q corner or refuge from
the searching argument and appeal. II every
good citizen shall do his duty for the next two
months, there will then follow long years OF
Peace and Liberty, in which to reflect on the
sweetness Of having served ones country at
time when she most needed service. God save