Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-09-01
DEMOCRATIC PREPARATIONS.


For what choice have we, if We would
institute a change There are but three
rartics within the limits Of the nation
They are composed of Union men, Dem
ocrats aud Rebels The first require
neither description nor defence. They
stand for TIE Constitution, the Union and
the laws--pure aud simple. They would
respect the one, maintain the other, and
defend the whole. Their entire creed
and all their objects tend to this. The
latter faction oppose these ends BY civil
war, and announce, with the red language
of blood, that where the Jaw, the Consti-
tuition or the Union bars their will, the
barrier must be oyerthrown. The other
organization ? 1t Includes undoubtedly,
many true, loyal and patriotic cititizcns
But their judgments have been betrayed
by their partialities AMI yelling private
opinion to organized speech. their inhu
cncc goes in the channel prescribed by
sclf-appoin;cd leaders. The latter rules
those caucuses aud conventions whose do
ings bind the whole. And what dc they
say 1t is known what they have said,
taught and done for years. Times change,
and men and measures with them. What
will these leaders say, counsel and do
now? The Democratic. National Com
mittec tells us very clearly what they viii
do at Chicago, and what they would do
in the country if they had the power
This committee met at Saratoga on
the ODD, Hon Thomas b. Florence.
Chairman. aud " with marked unarimi-
t. determined to promote citifrd harmony
in the deliberations of tie Chicago Con-
vention.' This determination prudent
Whether it is feasible Or not, considering
all the wide differences Which exist be-
tween the war and peace factions Of the
party; between those who would put
down the rebellion and those who would
but conciliatc Il, is matter open to some
speculation, until the practical issue is
reached and decided.
But this Is not ail; The comnittee
could not transact the business Of the
Convention 1t went as far in that di
rection as il had the power. and solicited
the National Committee. Of which Mr.
August Belmont Is chairman, to unite in
inviting Governor Seymour, of New York
to call the Convention to order, and
Bishop Hopkins, of Vermont, to open
the proceedings with prayer. These Sc
lcc,ions are indications. Governor Sey
mour's opinions arc krown. lie has been
at variance with the government ever
since the rebellion broke out, land was
charged with melting and protecting that
terrible riot in New York. the bloody re-
card Of which is fresh in all our memories
Bishop Hopkins publications. have been
circulated for political use and instruc-
don, Ike campaign documents; and.
though they treat more Of the pc ligrce OF
Ham and his relations to Japhet than Oh
instant party topics, are not less political
in their indroc. bearings. Both of these
proposed oificcrs-all thus far named
belong 10 the peace wing Of the party.
The committee however. took one step
farther, and suggested the policy and d.
roction Of the Convention; that " in or
der to restore national integrity, consti-
tutonaI liberty and Individual rights, the
Chicago Convention devote its energies to
the adoption Of such measures as will best
secure the defeat q Mr. Lincoln This
is the cream CT the whole. and thorough
ly democratic. 1t accords well in scope
and patriotic purpose With the first dcci,
sion, . to promote entire harmony"
But are not both very paltry matters
when we are arguing tie life Of the ma
ton and striving to secure its safety :?
Not word here Of that which effects
every individual and all Of the States
not syllable touching the pcri!s which
environ the times; not an utterarce OF
sympathy or wislon IN these most grave
com plications, bus the old, bald party
spirit, resolving to promote entire parti-
san harmony, and to adopt such meas
urcs as will best secure the deieat Of Mr
Lincoln.
We have no right, perhaps, certainly
no spirit, to crticisc too closely the prep
arations of q rival organization. There
will be time, need and occasion enough
for that when those proceedings have as
stunned shape ahd the Convention has adj
iourned which eonvcnes Under such dis
advantages. But we see what we shall
have to meet in the ensuing campaign,
and what issue viii be presented Id the
election. We are henceforth compelled
to fight not only thc.Rcbels, and their
anxiety for peace on grounds Of their own
prescribing, Tut also this accord with
their wishes and this forcshadowed readi
ness to conccdc their demands. 1t is
imposed by both that the prolonged
struggle (why SO prolonged y has weak
cned the courage and broken the strength
of Union men. 1t is thought that peace
is now so attractive that any sacrifice
will be made for its sake, even that Which
stultifes the past an sacrifices the future.
Is this so?
1t will require OUR best excrtions to
overcome both and held the nation true
to its course--a course which colnprc-
bends and destroys in one all the germs
of discord and all the seeds of strife, but
which, vigorously pursued. will prevent
future war; while patched-up peace,
that yielded everything to peace, on such
grounds as are intimated by the Saratoga
committee, and likely to be approved by
the Chicago Convention. would get no
gain for all of our sacrifices, and give no
guarantee to tho future against. similar
evils. Nay, stich an adjustment would
be bid for any aggricvcd section to sub
nit its grievances to the sword rathcr
than the law. and 50 plunge us into per-
petnally-rccurring anarchy. The war
hesitates at Richmond. Atlanta and Char
lesion. While it does so discouragement
grows, which is studio,isly cultivated. 1t
is as important to the Democracy as
to the Rebels that these places should not
fall. II they do, the peace plan at Chi
cago will be as Intellectual as was that at
Charleston. and VIC shall finally touch
every end that is neodful for assured ma
tional honor and prosperity. ila' 9@ =