Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-09-03

n chicago. {. @ = lI 4
The crude and unsatisfactory nature Of
the Platform adopted at Chicago becomes
moro and more apparent the more closely
It is examined. It was put together after
a furious fight between the Mcclellan and
Anti-EGcClsllan men, and is constructed
chiefly with view to getting into power
no nlattsr at what expense Of principles
or national degradation and dishonor. Af
frmatively it is very much wanting in
those bold, manly avowals which might
have been made and which would have
ensured the Democratic party the sympa-
thy of e large portion of the loyal people
Of the North. There is, in truth, but one
declaration in the Platform that indicates
anything like q definite Policy in case the
nation should be so unfortunate as to yield
the government into the hands of the trad
ing politicians that assembled at Chicago
The first, third and fourth resolutions are
made up of the commonplaces, which
have been reiterated for months, and
which have no greater influence in the
west than heretofore.
The only thing in which the Demo
cratic party can lay any claims to the
votes of the people, Is found in their
resolution demanding immediate ef-
forts for cessation Of hostilities, with a
view to an ultimate convention Of all the
states or other pesceable means to the end
that, at the earliest practicable moment,
peaee may be restored on theibasis of the
federal union of thestates" This is the gist
the whole Platform. They want an i'm
mediate cessation of hostilities with a view
to an ultimate convention of the states.
Its not an immediate convention, but an
alIfinsGte convention, so ultimate that the
rebels will gain time to prepare new SUP
plies, gain new additions to their army
and strengthen themselves, while our ar
nv shall be weakened by the expiration
ofterms of enlistment, our national debt
increased without any advantage to the
country. Thus by sham negotiations
it is hoped the people may be wearied
out and dispirited, and finally consent to
any terms which may be offered from
Richmond. If finally the ultimate con-
gention does not come of, what then
Then the other ',peGceable means" if any
IL. -, ,-lo4 +bo,- sro ,s,,,sf ba am,
pleyed. Then, we must infer from the
shove resolution that the Democratic
party are ready to sell out the in
tegrity of the Republic for the pal
try and unsubstantial Peace which may
come from the rebels as a matter of grace
on their part toward a spiritless, oowardly
poltroonery on the part of the North
What will the Democratic party do in case
jeff Davis sees fit not to return to the
Union2 When that Convention Of the
States comes of, what will they do in case
even their terms are refused and the rebels
consent to nothing but separation and in
dependence2 This question must be an
swered on the stump and from the press.
No jugglery of high-sounding words about
the loyeliness of Peace will avail. The
platform shrinks from that issue. 1t has
no manly word at that point. 1t does not
say, that even in the event of rejection
of Democratic terms of Peace, they would
assert the unity of the nation by force of
arms. They are seized with an insane and
unmeaning cry for Peace, and have given
evidence so far as their performances at
Chicago 90, that Peace they will have at
any price.
This is well understood by the Peace Cop
perheads of the West Vallandigham and
Long; by Wood, of New York, and Harris
Of Maryland. They knew the advantages
Of a platform artfullly concealing more
than it reveals, and hence acquiesced in it
not word having been said in the Conven-
tien against it, except the remark of Long
that it looked toward both peace and war.
When the rebels are on the verge of over
whelming defeat when Grant is on the
Weldon road, the carotid artery Of Rich
mond, and Sherman is about TO triumph
magnihcently in the Southwest, and Farra-
gut is on the point of taking Mobile, and
when reinforcements. to the extent of sew
eral hundred thousand men are to be added
70 our forces, thus making their success GER
tain, the Democratic ehieftains, the hun
cry crowd whose mouths are watering for
the control of the government, meet at
Chicago, and ask the nation to con
sent to immediate armistice with view
20 sn ultimate convention, but making
no profession Of faith as to what should be
done in case the rebels reject their PROPOSE
tions. Mr.. Benjamin, of Richmond, says
separation is tan accomplished fact" and
that ano proposals for negotiation can be
heard that are not based on recognition
of the independence of the South" In
view Of these facts, how shameful the
proposition at Chieagol How ought it to
be repndiated by ali loyal men in the land.
How different from the platform of the
Union men OF the country, who see certain
triumph near at hand, and r0ho l0iH asldeT
no conditions, agree to the separation Of this
country into ti0o distinct aud essentially hps
tile Governments.
At the Chicago Convention Mr. Wick
Efe offered resolution that Kentucky ex-
pects the first act of Mcclellan, when elect
ed, in March next to be to open Lincoln's
prison doors and set the captives free.
Carried unanimously.
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