American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-10-05
Hon. John A. GriswoId.

to be hearty War Democrat, and recelv
ed many Republican votes, but he was on
the Seymour ticket. Having voted nine
times in ten as a loyal man should, the
Unionists of his district unanimously re-
nominated him. The Democratic organ
in Troy affected surprise atthis, deeming
him as still of its party. Here is Mr..
Griswold's response to the formal notice
Of his nomination by the Unionists
TROY, Sept. 20, 1864.
GENTLEMEN l have the honor to
acknowledge your communication an
nouncng my nomination, by the Union
Convention recently held in this district,
as a candidate for representative in Con
gress.
. For more than three years we have
been engaged in war unprecedented
magnitude, for the preservation of our
Government against an infamous Rebel
lion organized for its destruction. Pend.
ing this struggle, l have considered it the
duty of every loyal man to ehape his po-
lit cal action exclusively from consldera-
tions of duty to his country, regardless of
party and partisan interests. In official
acts and private intercourse, my endeavor
has been to make this the rule Of action,
and till our national safety is secured, and
peace again restored to our land, shall so
continue.
THE nomination now kindly rendered
coming as it loes, without solicitation
on my part, and without the exacton Of
pledges or promises on yours-l am, per-
haps, warranted in regarding as an indi-
cation of approval Of my past course, and
of your confidence in my Judgment as
guide for the future. Thus viewed, |
have high appreciation Of the compli-
ment, and desire to make my acknowl-
edgements to the committee of which you
are the delegated representatives.
For the preservation of our Govern
ment and the continuance of the Union
in its integrity but one course has COM
mendcd itself to my Judgment. l Getteve
tie military po,rer Of he South must be
5rokcH-hcr armies demolished. When
ever this shall have been accomplished,
or when that portion of her people now
in Rebellion evince willingness to lay
down their arms and resume their allcgi-
ance to the laws of the land, all conflict
ing differences could, l think, be reconcil-
ed So long, however, as the people of
the South are under the iron rule of their
present despotic leaders, and these leaders
WELD tliu power Of an unconquered ar
my, there can be no hope of peaceful
arbitroment. Until some other than the
recognition of Southern Confederacy
can be the basis of negotiation | would
strengthen our armies in the field. For
one | desire to be among the very last
who would yield assent to the establish
ment of foreign Government on the soil
Of the United States, whether that Gov
ernment be presided over the Jefferson
Davis or scion of royalty furnished thro'
the disinterested magnanimity of England
OF France.
81 do not forget that the acar has been
forced ON the North, aud that it must be
waged for our national life, for the hopes
Of Seif-goUernment, for the rcspectability
and dlgniyof labor. Thus regarding it,
/ have no aoordS Of allowance and sym
patiy 70. those who, assuming to be the
expononts of public sentiment, have only
tender expressions Of apology and kind,
ness for treason and traitors, and an mex
haustble vocabulary of denunciation for
the war and everything incident to its
conduct. Peace beyond any other posi-
bic event, would be hailed throughout the
land with exultation and thanksgiving.
but it must be peace without dishonor,
without disupion, and of character not
again to be broken. 1t is forsuch apeace
that myriads of graves have been filed
with the bravest in our land-only such
an one can atone for the anguish and des-
oation which now darken the homes from
which these brave men went forth to battle
Z" To the men and measures that, in my
will most certainly and speedi-
ly promote the consummation of such
peace, | shall continue to give my earnest
support.
"With this brief and very imperfect
presentation of my views, and after as
thoughtful ami dispasssionate considera-
tion-a | have been able to give the sub
ject, / feel that justice to the people of
this district and to my own position de-
mands of me an expression of my inten-
tions with reference to the approaching
election. Without attempt |
ing discussion of the merits or dement's
of the respective candidates who are now
presented to the country. 1 feel con-
strained to sag, for the first time, either
publicly or privately, that aoih Gen. Nc
C1eIIan and the platform on s0Iich he has
been placed, and Mr.. Pendteton, 'oih has
publicly recorded sentiments, | cannot
yietd. support TO the Chicago nominations.
This decision has not been arrived at
without feelings of keen regret from the
Tact that am, in respect to it, placed in a
position differing from my political asso-
,iates, among whomDare many warm and
personal friends They will, |
eel assured, give me credit for honesty
md sincerity of purpose, and believe that
nothing bat the. strongest convictions of
luty have induced the determinations
low expressed.
With great respect,
II am very truly, &c.
gpHs A, GRIswoLp,