Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-10-22
Gen. Dix's Views Of the Chicago Platform and
MeCleIlan's Letter Of Acceptance.
Something every Loyal Democrat should
Read


Gen. JNo A. DIX, gallant soldier and
patriotic Democratic Statesman, has recently
given his views of the Chicago platform and
Gen. MCCLELLAN's position as defined in his
letter of acceptance. Having been invited
to address the people of Philadelphia, Gen.
DIX writes letter stating that his military
duties absorb his time to such an extent as
to render it impossible to comply. He then
proceeds to give his views in regard to the
canvass. Every loyal Democrat ought to
read what he says. Here is lie part relating
directly to the pending issue:
There is but one question before the cOun-
try in the present canvass. Shall we prose
cute the war with undated vigor until the
rebel forces lay down their arms or shall we,
to use the language of the Chicago Conven-
ton, make " immediate efforts" for "ces-
sation of hostilities, with view to an ulti-
mate convention Of all the States" &C.?
Believing that the latter measure, for
whatever purpose adopted, would lead inev-
itably to a recognition of the independence
of the insurgent States, and believing, more
over, that true policy, as well as true mercy,
always demands in the unhappy exigencies of
war, a steady and unwavering application of
all the means and all the energies at COM
mand until the object of the war is accom-
plished, shall oppose the measure in every
form in which opposition is likely to be effec-
tive.
General Mcclellan, tne candidate of the
Chicago Convention, by force of his position,
must be deemed to approve all the declara-
tions with which he was presented to the
II, a.,
Unfortunately, he IS silent on tie only question in
regard to ,ohich the people cared he should speak.
He does not say whether he is in favor of a
cessation of hostilities-the measure an
nounced by those who nominated him as the
basis of action in case of his election-or
whether he is oppose to it. He does not meet
tie question Nth manly trdnkneSs, as / am con-
fident he would have done if he had taken
counsel of his own instincts instead of y'ela
Ing W the suDLIe suggestions OF polltIclans.-
The Chicago COnaUe1tiOa presented distinct issue
TO tie people. as tic nominee Of the COnUe'ation
he aOas bound TO accept or repasdiate IL. He has
done neither; and whatever inference may be
drawn from his silence either the War Demo-
Gratis or the Peace Democrats must be de-
ceived.
In calling for a cessation of hostilities the
members of the Chicago Convention have, in
my judgment, totally misrepresented the
feelings and opinions of the great body of
Democracy. The policy proclaimed in its
name makes it-so far as such declaration
can-what it never has been before, peace
party in war, degrading it from the eminence
on which it has stood in every other national
conflict. In this injustice to the country, and
to a great party identified with all that is
honorable in our history, can have no part
only mourn over the reproach which has
been brought upon it by its leaders, and cher
ish the hope that it may hereafter, under the
auspices of better counsellors, resume its an
cient effective and beneficent influence in the
administration of the Government.