Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-09-09

portion of his life to the work of sup
pressing this rebellion, and who ha
learned to hate treason, keep this plat
form in his vest pocket, hat or memo
randum book. You who have beer
shocked over the barbarities OF rebels Al
Lawrence, Ft. Pillow, on the field o
Pea Ridge, at Manassas, on Belle Isle
in Texas, in Tennessee, Missouri, OF
wherever the friends of the Union have
been placed ut the mercy ofSouthern
rebels, read this platform and tell us il
there is word in it that would offend
the brutal instincts of the damnable vii
lains, who, after bayoneting ours soldiers
filled their eyes with powder, and ap.
piled the match. Search fora word that
inspires Il hatred of the worst of all
crimes. Had Jeff. Davis been given q
piece of blank paper, he could not have
prepared platform that would have
more delighted the Southern guerrillas
than does this. Read and say whether
you will endorse it:
Rcsolccd, That in the future, as in the
past, we will adhere with nswerving
fidelity to the Union under the Conati-
tuition as the only solid foundation ol
our strength, security and happiness as
q people and as the frame work
Of government equally conducive to the
welfare and prosperity Ofall the States,
both Northern and Southern.
Rcsoircd, That this convention does
a. " lnr hn of hn
American people, that after four years OF
failure to restore Union by the experi
ment of war, during which, under the
pretence of military necessity or warpO
er higher than the Constitution, the
Constitution itself has been disregardei
in every part, and public liberty and pri-
vate right alike trodden down and t. e
material prosperityo the country essen
TALLY mpaired-iustice, humanity, lib
erty and the public welfare demand that
immediate efforts he made for Il cessation
of hostiiitieS with view TO an ultimate
convention of the States or other peace
able means, to the end that at the earIi-
est practicable moment peace may be re-
stored ON the basis of Federal States
Rcs0ired, That the direct Interference
of the military authorities of the United
States in the recent elections held in Ken
lucky, Maryland, Missouri and Delaware
was Il shameful violation of the Constitu-
ton and repetition Of such acts in the
approaching elections will be held as rev.
Olutionary, and resisted with all the
means and power under oar control.
Reso'rei, That the aim and object of
the Democratic party is to preserve the
Federal Union and the rights of the
States unimpaircd, and they hereby de-
clare that they consider the administrat-
i've usurpation of ofeXtraordinary and dan
gerous powers not granted by the Con-
stitution the subVersion of the civil by
military law in States not III insurrec
ri0n; the arbitrary military arrest, inn
prisonment, trial and sentence OF Amer
lean citizens in States where civil law
exists in full force the suppression of
the freedom of speech and Of the press !;
the denial of the right OF asylum; the
open and avowed disregard OF state
test rights; the employment Of unusual
oaths; and interference with and de-
nial Of the right of the people 70 bear
arms in their defense, is calculated to
prevent Il restoration OF the Union and
the DerpetuatiOn orgovernmcnt o. deriving
itd lust powers from the consent OF the
governed
Rcsoire,{, That the shameful disregard
of the administration TO its duty in res
pect to our fellow citizens who now are,
and long have been, prisoners OF war in n
suffering condition, deserves the severe
est reprobation, on the score alike OF
public policy and common humanity.
Rcsnipod, That the sympathies Of. the
Democratic party are heartily and earn
estly extended to the soldiery Of our
army. who are, and have been, in the
field under the 1ag OF their country, and
in the event of its attaining power, they
will receive all the care, protection and
regard that the brave soldiers Of the re
public have so nobiy earned.