The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-09-22
BEN. WOOD BOLTS MCCLELLAN.
Interesting Reading for COpperheads.

that we have labored to harmonic the Dem |
ocratic party. Whatever concession we
could make that did not involve sacrifice
of the irnmutable principle to which this
journal is dedicated, we have granted. Our
most fervent desire was to see contaminated
the unity and concord of the Democracy in
this Presidential campaign Believing that
the life of Republicanism depended upon
this issue, we made every effort to concili-
ate the conflicting sentiments that were ar
rayed in opposition to the present Admins |
tration for we believed that the defeat OF I
Mr.. Lincoln would remove the chief 0bsta- !
Gle to peace y - ) - W. =,
But above all the claims of expedency, |
the principle to which we are irrevocably
bound SWAPS absolutely, and demands our
fidelity beyond all other considerations We
have matured and strengthened the peace |
sentiment from its germ We have been
faithful to it throughout the ordeal it has
passed an ordeal that it could not have sur
yived if within its own essence 1t had not
nossessed the elements of eternal life, the
truth that may be hidden but not destroyed.
To that principle which is the guide Of our
ooIitical action throughout this crisis, and
| that commands the Journal we have devoted
| to its interests, we are linked by bond that
cannot be loosened. AS we stood by 1t stead
fastly when to do 80 was to court persecution
and to invite oppression,we shall surely not
desert it now, in the day OF Its strength
when in fact, it rules the political situation
The suffrages of the Peace men are essential
to the triumph of the Democracy; but the
Peace men cannot give their sutrages in VIC
llation of their principles To be true there.
fore to the Democracy, we must insist that
its principles be honestly represented IN tins
canvass and fairly put at issue at the polls.
The Daily NepS, however great Its lntiu-
ence among those that accept it as the organ
of their political creed, could not render that
influence available in support Of the doctrine
Of armed coercion of the States, and if it
lcould it would not. We earnestly hope that
the States may be redeemed from the great
misfortune of sectional antagonlsm and that
good fellowship and concord may exist
among them; but we protest against work
of reconstruction that leaves a stain OF blood
from foundation stone to pinnacle, and that
if ever acco mplished, would give us fabric
beneath whose roof discord, hatred and bitter
recollections would dwell forever, controlled
by the bayonet and governed by the scep-
ter. .#.- ~.
1t was therefore with u satisfaction that
knew no bounds that we welcomed, IN the
s platform presented by the Chicago Conven
ton to the Democracy, the proposition for
an immediate cessation Of hostilities and a
convention of all the States. To cease fight
, ing and to appeal to reason and ca I'm discus
sion of the questions in dispute; that Is pre-
cisely the plan of action that we have advo-
Gated from the commencement OF hostllltles.
it is fair to suppose that the Sovereign States
soIemnly assembled in convention would
= exercise such Judgment and concilatory at
tributes as are due to the spirit of enlighten-
ment and Christianity, and would use thelI
best endeavors to free our political system
from its imperfections, that it might accord
8 SO far as possible with the interests OF al
L and be offensive to none. The Chicago plat
D form promises with its triumph an immedl
4 ate cessation of hostilities, and advocates
i plan of reconciliation that every peace mar
can colIscentieusly indorse. We accepted
it. and with it the candidate nominated up
) on the platform.
z But the candidates and the platform eau
not exist apart. The platform is the soul
the candidate is the body. The one may
change, decay, perish the other is immuta-
i BILE and eternal, for it is principle, The two
are therefore inSeparable i'll their relative
positions for if the man renounc" the prIncl-
. pie, he ceases to be candidate of the party
that nominated him.
: George B. Mcclellan was nominated upon
platform that promises an immediate ces
: sation of hostilities and convention OF all
: the States Does he stand upon that plat
f form to-day? He does not. He has remoua1-
] ceG the platform in his letter accepting the
8 nomination. 1t is as if the bridegroom
should accept the brides property, but not
her person. A bond like that is null anc
void. The peace party will not consent tc
, have their principle betrayed aud then dc
homage to the betrayer. They demand all
that is nominated in the bond. General Nc
Clellan having rejected the proposition for a
: cessation of hostiities and a convention Of
all the States, declined the Chicago nomina-
} ton, and stands before the people self uonli-
mated, on platform of his own creation
The Democracy must seek a candidate who
WiUstand upon the platform for they can
not consistently support one who is in col
: lsion with the Convention that rendered
him the nomination. If the platform &C
cords not with the nominees convictions OF
the right, due respect for the opinions OF
the assenblage that unanimously adopted 1t
requires that he should give back to the
Convention the standard of the Democracy.
The Democratic National Convention is not
dissolved. 1t is ready to covene at the call
of it's Executive Committee, and if Gen. Nc
CIelan cannot abide by the resolutions
through which the principles of the party
have been enunciated, let the Convention re-
assemble and either remodel their platform
to suit their nominee, or nominate candI-
date that will suit the platform.