Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1864-10-08

Inuon, anu because II eXeiudes ali posi-
bls honest belief that the Couvention
meant TO countenauce further resort to
any means, of any sort. which should
not be peaceable. Nay more-we assere,
as part of tie history of the platform,
that the resolution, as originally pre-
sented, did not contain the word peace
able, which was introduced in commit
tee, upon the special motion Of ex Gov
ernor Pratt, of Marylaud-an uacom-
promising peace man-and upon the ex-
pheit ground, as stated By that gentle
man when he proposed it. that in its
absence war might possibly be considered
as among the other means intended to
be suggested. The word 'peaceable.
was introduced then to exclude a con-
clasion in favor Of war, ia aay eontin-
gency, and the signifcalion Of the whole
phrase, IS modified aud adopted, is so
plain to that effect, that no intelligent
man IN the Convention could have un-
derstood il IN any other sense"
Bat we come now to the object intend
ed By the resolution to be accomplished.
This is, ito the end that at the earliest
practicable moment peace may be re-
stored on The basis of The Federal Union
Of The States. This is 3 peculiar phrase.
It was adopted and used ia a peculiar
sense BY Mr. Vallandigham and other
peace and extreme State-rights men, At
the commencement Of the war; il has
with him, as we shall show from some of
bis speeches, peculiar meaning, other
and different from the simple word
Union differing from that much as ''com
pact, with Mr.. Calhoun, offered from
Constitution In short, Federal Union
means "Coniederaey, in the sense in
which JEFF Davis understands that word
Commenting on this second resolution.
in a speech at Dayton, shortly after the
adjournment of the Chicago Convention
Cat which be was present as deleeatel
Mr. VallAndigham said:
1t declared as its sacred purpose,
not to Be surrendered, the re eoostrne-
ton Of the Union-the Federal Union of
the States-pointing out the stopping of
the var and q convention Of the States
as the constitutional, lawful, necessary.
and proper means Of accomplishing The
work, and it went not beyond What
should Be necessary hereafter what our
duty shall be ia one, two, OF three years.
Time viii be sur grand instructor, and
be teaches wisely and well, They who
are in public hte then, filing the high
places of responsibility and trust, win
discharge their 9uty, and YOU will de-
mand OF them that which they shall do
always having in view never to snrien-
der that one great object, the recon
struetion Of the federal Union-not ter
TitoTiGt tfsssfy, NH; Of despolism-but
tbs old federal Uniea, Union founded
on the principles Ct federation and com
pact befwfea seeerssgn aud Independent
States, delegaisas certain powers 10 their
coumon agent, AND Withholding from I,
those not delegated.
: Bas that great doctrine OF
State rights Il implied in the gfsiHg
sCords inserted ~ the last clause If hs
YssolHliOas relating TO peace on tie basis
If the FEpER4L UaioR. as distinonishsa
from AsT OTHER union or any comnu.
nityH
Nor is this the only witness we cite
To the Convention Mr.. Washington Hunt
offered the following resolution:
"Resolusd, That in the future. as in
the past, We will adhere with 5unswerv.
ing fidelity to the Union and constitution.
| and insist on maintaining fse National
/ unity as the only solid foundation Of our
strength, security, aad happiness Of our
i people, and as 8 framework Of govern
ment equally conducive TO the welfare
and prosperity Of all States, both North
ern and Southern"
The convention adopted all Of this
resolution, except the words we have
| italieised--''and insist on maintainine
the Natioaal unity This was struel
out; and the remaisder stands today tn.
first of the series Of resolutions whiet
form the Chicago Platform.
Now, what is shown by these signi6
cant facts? What was in the eonven
tons mind when it struck out fha
phrase in Mr. Hunts resolution7 Wha
does Mr.. Vallandigham tell us7 This
that If the Chicago candidates are elect
ed, the platform will require and author
ize them, not to maintain the presen
Union, the more perfect Union" decree,
and formed by the Constitution, but 3,
substitute in its place what is called
HFederal Union, not territorial unity
says Mr.. Vallandigham, which be regard
as "a unit of despotism, hut the col,
Federal Union the Confederation, tha
is 10 say, which was abandoned by th
adoption OF our Constitution, Eve, ID
people OF the United States, agreed {
''forEa a more perfect Union And b
adds, by way Of still further explanation
. that the Union he desires, and which th
Chicago resolution intends, and which !
declares to be the desire of the Amer
can people, is "a Union founded on th
, principles of federation and compact b
tween sovereign and independeu
States
What, then, is the clear aud unmistal
: able meaning of this resolution? Il
that, first there shall be no war; seconC
J there shall be convention OF States
I aud third, in that Convention the Unio,
shall be abolished and the old ConfedeI
: alton shall be substituted in its plac,
J With this concession it is hoped to COZ
: ciIiate JEFF. Davis; who would thus eai
! the chief point upon which be has insis
, ed, the independent sovereignty Of th
e States. Under that system noihin
f could prevent the rebel chiefs from ca
# rying out their plans for a separate en-
/ pire. For what was this Confederation
> which Mr.. Vafiandigham praises, al
o which the Chicago resolution would on
e more curse Us with Judge Story 10
e History of the Constitution, describes
/ Under the ARTICLES of Collaboration
8 the "Continentzl Congress" welded Il
administrative functions; but, says Stor
e the Congress had no eoercive authorii
!: it could not punish individuals for
3 breach of Its enactments; It hsd no po'
Is er to levy taxes or collect revenues {
" the public service it had no power
= regulate commerce; aud the author sur
n up the case in the words CT snoth
n eminent statesman:
II THAT by this political compact I
IS Continental Congress have exelusi
a r1wv.- e. the fn1Iow:uy purroaaa -tfho