Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-09-23

1NBy I0HOWeu us. sUiilh
where they established their own platform. We
came home; and those of us, although in mas
iority in our own party, who stood by the regular
national nominees, were ridiculed, abused, de-
nounced, insulted, and driven into the rear ranks
of the Democratic party. This merely because
we would not follow the beck Of such leaders =
We stood it thenin 1861, when the Democratic
party took ground in favor Of prosecution of
the war In 1862 they did the same, and | stood
BY them / was with them in the campaign.
and supported their ticket because I believed
them to be honest in their professions In 1863
they ignored the war policy of the country |
entreated them to reflect upon the consequences
of their unwise position, and to adhere to their
former policy in favor of vigorous proseeu-
ton of the war. as sustained by them in 1861
and 1862 Itold them, and Others bfus told them,
that so sure as they repudiated that policy and
adopted the doctrine of Valandigham and his co.
laborers of Che Northwest, just so sure the people
would rise in their might, and the party would be
overwhelmed at the ballot-box. Great cheering
For this reason, went home from the convention
at Harrisburg in sadness and in silence, and re-
mainen silent during the campaign. The people
Of Ohio, BY more than 10000 majority, verified
and fulfilled the prediction that | had made to the
Democratic leaders at the convention of 1863
Still we remained silent, hoping almost against
hope. that our Democratic leaders at Chicago
would return to the faith of our fathers, and to
the true doctrines of the Democratic party, as
proclaimed By Jefferson jackson, and all the best
men of that party from that day to this
My fellow-citizens, no man in Pennsylvania
more anxiousIy or more earnestly hoped, even a.
gainst hope, that he might be able to sustain the
nominees of the Chicago Convention than did the
individual who now stands before you. waited
even until the Convention had concluded its labors
and the proceedings were officially proclaimed and
sent forth to the world, and stand here tonight
70 say to you that if that Convention had endors-
ed the true doctrine ofthe Democratic party, and
had declared for the Union the Constitution, the
prosecution of the Ear-against secession and in
favor of suppressing the rebellion and had placed
before the people rational candidates, in whom
we might have confidence, would have support
| ed the nominees of the Convention. But the same
men that went to Charleston, and broke up the
Convention there, the same men that went to Bal
timore to continue the business, the same men
/ that have been trying to break up the Union and
/ the party, both together, went to Chicago, and
unfortunately obtained a controlling influence Of
that Convention. They have sent forth platform
that shall not describe, for have not got time,
1 and besides you all understand Its contents, but
7 viii say here, before the world, would rather
/ that my right arm should fall from my shoulder,
! that any calamity should befall me- the loss OF
( friends party associations, property, all that am
and all that hope to IN this life-that all these
1na4 perish before viii support the Chicago plat
4 form or any man that stands upon it. Long anC
continued cheeriugl take this stand because
believe my country demands that sacrifice. My
Efelow-citizens sacrifice their lives upon the battle
field, and why shouldI not sacrifice my poltlca
position, my personal standing, my prospects be
fore the country, and with my friends rather thai
fag should go down, as | believe it viii, If tn
nominations and platform at chicago are sustaihe,
BY the American people. lGreat cheering be
lieve that the only safe remedy for all true Demo
Gratis is to unite in defeating the nominees of tn
Chicago Convention, in rcbuking those whe de
, stroyed the party in 1860 and who continue
keep it in false position before the nation an
before the world in 1854 IF they will not liste
to our advice nor held our entreates, we must, i
self defence, and in the discharge of our duties
assist in teaching them that they cannot, and sha
I not, use us as instruments for the accomplish
ment of their unworthy purposes five suceee
e | in convincing them that they cannot be success
2 full in foisting false doctrines on the America
I people they WILL perhaps, in the future listen
/ our appeals For the present they have take
: from us every hope and every remedy but tn
: one-to openly oppose them in their endeayori
q The American people have soemnly determine
n that this nation shall not be divided They hay
! resolved this upon their knees aud in their closet
! and if the rebels in arms will uot submit to the
n decision the military power of the rebellion mu
! and will be overthrown The Chicago pattor
! contains no such declaration-not one word again
= the doctrine of Secession, against the rebellion
n and nothing in favor of its suppression For th
!, reason the American people will not endorse
Pretended peace commissioners from the Soft
may suggest at Niagara theories for a Democra
= platform-members of Congress who openly adv
i Gated the heresy of Secession and hoped the ret
,r armies might be victorious and the Onion arrnl
>, defeated and other members Of Congress who .
~ sisted in retaining those members in their sea
u may go to Chicago and submit to the dctatioh
: such peace commissioners proceedings oft
= Convention may be endorsed in Nova Scotia
,e Richmond traitors may long for the triumph
re- theories thus expounded foreign enemies Of I
n American Republic may resecho the hope-liii
70 sey. Roebuck, and their friends in England; L9
: Napoleon and John Slidell in France, and the
,. enles of civil and religious liberty everywhere 4
\. Join in the issue, but the American people will
r. in their might and overwhelm them in one Cd
ii mon ruin. The friends ofthis platform cannot 1
70 sonably hope for its success. The candidate NJ
he mated upon it for the highest Office in the g
4 the people has been unable to stand npon orl
dorse it without material alterations, correctig
/ and additions This being the fact, it is ASH
ID too much to expect that the American people 81
nd do tn which the eapdlidate cannot do himi