Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-09-10
that every star on our nations banner shall

they wish for Union, they will act with tina
party which does now and always did Low
and reverence that Union. If they wish TO
peace, they will act with those who sought t
avert this war, and who now seek to restor
good will and harmony among all sections Q
our country. 1t they care for their right
as persons and the saeredness of their homes
they will act with those who have stood III
to resist arbitrary arrests, despotic Legislation
and the overthrow of the judiciary. [Lou,
and continued applause. Ii, upon the othe
hand, they are willing TO continue the presen
policy of government and condition of affairs
let them act with that organization which
made the present condition of our country
But as for us, we are resolved that the part,
who have made the history of our country
since their advent to power seem like some
unnatural and terrible dream shall be over
thrown. Applause. -Four years ago it haC
its birth upon this spot. Let us see, by oul
action, that it shall die here where it was
born. Loud and continued cheering.
In the political contest in which we are
now engaged, we do not seek partisan advan
tages. We are battling for the rights of those
who belong to all political organizations
/ We mean that their rights of speech shall be
unimpaired, although chat right may be used
to denounce us. We intend that rights OF
conscience shall be protected, although mis-
| taken views of duty may turn the temples OF
religion into theatres for partisan denuncia-
| ton. We mean that home rights and the
saeredness of the fireside shall be respected
by those in authority, no matter what politi
cal views may be held by those who SIT be-
meath their rCof-trees. When the democrat
ic party shall have gained power, we shall
not be less, but more tenacious upon these
subjects. We have foreborne much because
those who are now charged with the conduct
of public affairs knew but little about the
principles of our government. We were I'M
willing to present an appearance of factious OPP
position. But when we shall have regained
that power which has been wrested from us
by the Republican party, we will grant to
them all the rights which the Constitution
gives them, free speech and free action. That
official who shall violate one principle of law,
one single right of the humblest man in our
land, shall be punished by the full rigor of
the law, it matters not if he sits in the Pres
idential chair or holds an humble Office under
our government. Cheers
Gentlemen, l trust that our proceedings
will be marked by harmony. | believe we
shall all be animated by the greatness of this
occasion. 1t may be--in all probability it is
true-that the future destinies of our country
hang upon our action. Let this considera-
ion inspire us with spirit of harmony.
God of our fathers bless us now lift us
above all personal considerations fill us with
a full sense of the great responsibilities which
rest upon US, and give again to our land its
Union, its peace, and its liberty.
Enthusiastic and long continued cheering
followed the conclusion of Cow Seymour's
remarks.
Mr.. Guthrie, of Kentucky, announced that
the subcommittee on Resolutions would be
ready to report at four o'clock; whereupon /,
Mr.. Charles Brown, of Delaware, moved
that when the Convention adjourn it should
adjourn to that hour.
The original motion was then carried and
the Convention adjourned till four o'clock.
Four O'CLOCK P. NJ.
On the Convention reassemblng, Mr. Guth-
rie stated that the committee on resolutions
had agreed, and was now ready to report. -
The resolutions were read as follows:
ResolUed, That in the future, as in the past, we
will adhere with answering fidelity to the Union
under the Constitution, the only solid fouuda-
tion of our strength, security and happiness as a
people, and as a framework of government equal
ly conducive to the welfare and pros perty of all
the States, both Northern and Southern.
Resolved, That this Convention does explicitly
declare, as The sense of the American people, that
after four years of failure to the Union by
the experiment of war, during which, under the
pretence of a military necessity, or power
hig her than the Constitution, the Constitution it.
self bas been dsregarded in every part, and public
liberty and private right alike trodden down, and
the material prosperity of the country essentially
impaired, justice, humanity, liberty and the
public welfare demand that imme iiate eifC rts
be made for "a cessation of hostiities, 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 Federal States.
Resolred, That the direct interference of the mil
itary authorities of the United States in the
cent elections held in Kentucky, Maryland, Mis-
souri, and Delaware was a shameful violation of the
Constitution, and a repetition of such acts in
the election will be held as revolution
airy and resisted with all the means and power I'M
der our control.
ResOlred, That the aim and object of the Demo-
cratic party is TO preserve the Federal Union and
the rights of the States unimpaired and they here
by declare that they consider the Administrative
usurpation of extraordinary and dangerous powers
not granted by the Constitution; the subversion
of the civil by military law in States not in insur-
rection; the arbitrary military arrest, imprson-
ment, trial and sentence OF American citizens in
States where civil law exists in full force; the sup
preston of the freedom Of speech and of the press
the denial of the right OF asylum; the open and
avowed disregard of State rights; the employment
OF unusual test oaths and he Interference with and
denial of the right of the people TO bear arms in
their defence, as calculated to prevent restora-
ton OF the Union and the perpetuation of govern
meut deriving its just powers from the consent of
the governed.
ReS0tped, That the shameful disregard of the Ad-
ministratlon to its duty in respect to fellow
citizens, who now and long have been prisoners of
war IN suffering condition, deserves the severest
reprobatlon, on the score alike OF public policy and
common humanity.
Resolced, That the sympathy of the Democratic
party is heartily and earnestly extended to the SOL
diery of our army, who now and have been in
the field under the flag of their country, and in the
event of it's attaining power, they will receive all the
care, protection and regard that the brave soldiers
of the Republic have so nobly earned
Mr.. Long, of Ohio, offered as an amend
ment, to come in after the first resolution,
the first Kentucky resolution of 1898, as
drafted by Thomas jefferson. He submitted
that now, of all other times, this resolution,
affirming state rights, ought to be readopted
and reaffirmed.
the resolution will be referred to the Commit
tee on Resolutions.
Mr.. Cox moved the previous question.
Mr.. Long hoped his colleague would with
draw his motion, as he desired to off an
other amendment. He desired to move an
amendment that will place this convention in
position favurng peace beyond the mis-
takes of any equiyocal language. He would
not go for any resolution that may be con-
strued either way by men of different views
| in the convention.
Mr.. Cox insisted upon his motion, and the
previous question being ordered the resolu-
| tons were adopted with but few dissenting
voices.
1t was then moved to proceed to the nomi-
nation of candidate for President.
| Mr.. John p. Stockton, of New Jersey, in
behalf of the delegation of that State, nomi-
mated George b. Mcclellan, and Mr.. S. S.
~ n = IL