The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1864-09-22
General sgcCleiIan's Acceptance.

an uncondltlOnal peace. 90 does not ne
understand it. His Interpretation of the
platform is the on " one which can be Civ
en- By fair construction OF its language.
Passing over the first and most impor-
tant resolution Of the series. and taking
merely the clause of the second, upon
which abolitionists base their charge that
the Dmocratic party is pledged thereby to
disunion if the Confederatcs refuse or
reject reconstruction, it will be seen that
thus disconnected, its fair Interpretation is
the opposite Of what they allegc. We ap-
pend the clause:
Justice, humanity, liberty and the
public welfare demand that immediate
efforts be made for cessation of hostili-
ties, with a view to an ultimate convention
of the States, or other peaceable means,
to the end that at the earliest practicable
moment peace may be restored on the basis
of the union of the Federal States"
\ Convention ofthe States is demanded.
For what purpose? That at the earliest
practicable moment peace may be restored.
On what terms? The brsis of the Federal
States. Does demand by one or two lit
igant parties for settlement upon specific
terms, if rejected, commit the part y making
the demand to dismissal of his clam?-
Docs rot rather the plain and unequivocal
statement of the terms clearly Indicate
that they will not be abandoned? We say
without hcsitancy that the portion of the
platform sc have quoted. separately con-
sidered, prohibits the Democratic party
from making any peace which does not
embrace the restoration Of the Union
1t declares the terms GTon which peace
NAV be made, and these cannot be changed
OF violated without violation OF the sol
einnly expressed purpose of the party.
Gea. Mcclellan has thus construed the
platform. and his declaration Of purpose is
in entire harmony with its letter and spirit.
Clearly expressing his determination to
preserve the Union in its integrity, he
commcnds the spirit of conciliation and
compromise which hpcrvadcs the resolutions.
By these he says ''thc Cni i)nwas originally
formed. To restore and preserve it, the
same spirit must prevail in our councils
and the hearts of the people" and again:
so soon rs it is clear, or even probable
that our adversaries are ready for peace
upon the basis OF the Union, We should
exhaust all the resources Of craftsmanship
practiced by civilized nations and taught
by the traditions Of the American people,
consistent with the honor and interest o.
the country. TO secure such peace, re-
establish the Union and guarantee for the
future the constitutional rights Of every
State
Til. IS true Democracy. Ii is The spirit
which has always animated the Democratic
party is the spirit which directed the
councils of Clay. and Webster, and crit
tendcn. and other leaders only less noble
than they in the Wing party. when the
fierce PASSIONS of the sections threatened
collision ana bloolshci 1t is the opposite
ofthe .blood-ctiing spirit which provoked
the war and clamors for It's continuance to
enforce vindict.ve and fanatical policies
Nct less marked are the issues presented
by Me' lcllan to the present Administration
relative to other declarations of principle
in the platform. and thus by him endors-
ed.
Il should seek in the Constitution of
the United States and the laws framed in
accordance Herewith the rule of my duty,
and the limitations Of Executive power,
endcavor to restore economy in public
expenditure re-cstablish the supremacy
OF law, and by the operation OF more
vigorous nationality, resume our position
among the nations of the earth.
probation of the paper money, and the
burdens thereby imposed on labor and cap
Ital, show the necessity of a return to a
sound financial system; while the rights
of citizens and the rights OF States, and
the binding authority of law over Presi-
dent. army and people, are subjects of not
less vital importance in war than in peace "
After three years of war, as desperate
and extended "a the world has known,
threatening the national life. and with its
varied changes driving the administration
into measures as vacillatng and conlradic-
tory as they were corrupt, impolitic and
unconstitutional, Mcclellan, the most
prominent and responsible officer at the
commencement of the contest, points back
10 lIlc ulcdSUlcS, civil tHu military, which
he urged as the means of success, and ap-
pcals to the history of the war to vindicatc
his military skill and statesmanship His
letter of acceptance is essentially a re
affirmation of the PRINCIPLES and politics
which he pressed upon the attention of Mr.
Liucoln in his letter from Harrison
Landing, July 7th, 1864.
So has he vindicatcd himself SO is
our cause mado good The comprehensive,
presclence which enabled him to realize
the magnitude of the contest, and the
measures proper for its conduct was De-
mocrocy. We had sat, not at the feet Of
Gamallel. but OF patriarchs and law Civ
ers as pure and with perceptions as fan
reaching and accurate as those of the ven
cradle Hebrew. From these he drew the
inspiration guiding his judgment The
national Convention saw in his correct ap
preclation of Democracy, and his capacity
practically to apply its prinei oles, one
worthy to bear its standard lie accepts