The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-10-29
TrsH PEACE orEsTIoN.

The Presidential election Is drawing near.
But a few more days win elapso before the
people will be required TO decide who shall
preside over, and what policy shall govern,
their political affairs for another four years.
No one can possibly overestimate the momen-
tous character Of the issues which depend on
the choice to be made in November proximo.
1t becomes all good citizens, therefore, to
have a clear and sober understanding of the
situation of the country, and to cast their bal
lots accordingly. Passion and prejudice
should have nothing TO do with the matter.
Even any motive of temporary and accidental
private interest should not be allowed to
influence the action of the voter The desire
TO save the unity Of the nation, and to trans
NIT 1t unimpaired to the latest posterity,
should actuate every honest and devoted
patriot.
In order, then, to arrive at an intelli-
gent comprehension Of the question that is
to be determined by the popular suffrage,
every one should endeavor to gain a Just idea
Of the prime, central point Of difference be-
tween the parties that are mutually contendng
for the votes OF the people.
We undertake to say that the paramount,
the vital, the all-absorbing matter in contro-
versy is the salvation of the Union; and that
the only essential difference in dispute between
the party OF the Administration and their
opponents is as to the manner and mode of
concluding peace
We have General MoCLELLAN's letter
accepting the nomination of the Chicago Con-
vention, for assurance that he holds the resto-
ration of the Union as the only condition Of
peace, and that he will prosecute the war until
that end is attained. President LINCOLN
likewise insists on the re-establishment of the
Union as a sine qua non of paciGcation.
| But while General MCCLELLAN and the
President agree substantially in the particular
just recited, they diverge widely when they
come to the ques ion of the mode Of efTecting
their common object. General MCCLELLAN
must be presumed to accept the platform Of
the Convention which nominated him for the
Presidency, in the absence of any positive
Reputation of it. In his letter of acceptance
he does not declare himself opposed to the
plan of a cessation of hostilities for the pur-
pose of an armistce and negotiation for peace !;
and he must, therefore, be understood as tacltly
approving of that plan. If he really did not
regard it as wise, honorable, or expedient, he
should have said so; and we have too much
faith in the personal integrity of MCCLELLAN
as a man TO persuade ourselves that he would
have hesitated or failed to reject that PROPOSE
ton Of the Chicago Convention, if he sincerely
esteemed it to be essentially Objectionable,
and meant to discard it in practice.
| uuhi la I'm hat hn
will not make peace with the Rebels, except
on the condition Of the restoration of the
Union, he distinctly asserts his purpose to
assent to no armistice for the negotiation of
peace through a convention or otherwise, and
he has given the whole country an explicit
and cogent argument in yindication Of his
resolution not to agree to any such peace
measures. This argument is to be found in
his letter, under date of August 20, 1868, to
, the Springfield and Syracuse Conventions,
and we quote the following passage, as afford
ing the most powerful reasons against the
, plan of negotiation suggested by the Chicago
Convention, and to which its candidates are
committed. Mr.. LINCOLN said:-
, Suppose refugees from the South and peace
men OF the North get together in convention.
ing q restoration OF The Union. h what way
" eau that compromise be used to- keep LBB's army
" out Of Pennsylvania? MEADE's army can keep
LEE's army ont of Pennsy vauia, and think,
4" eau ultimately drive il out of existence. But
, no paper compromise 10 which the controllers
of LEES army are not agreed can at all affect
, that srmy. H. effort at such compromise
we would waste time, which the enemy would
improve 20 our disadvantage; and that would
" I've ALL
, " A compromise, TO be effective, must he made
Z" either with those who control the Rebel army
" or with the people, first liberaied from the
, 4" domination OF that army by tue s6ccess of ouI
Gown army, Nog, allow me tu assure on that
" NO cord or intimatiOn from that ReOcl army, OF
" from any of the men controlling il, in relation
q " 20 any peace COMPROMISE, has ever come to my
. knowledge Ir belief. All Charge, and insinua
" tons to the coutIaIy are deceptive and ground
), " less. And promise you thai If any such pro
> position shall hereafter come, ii shall not bI
L "tCjtcted ana kept secret from you. l freely
I acknowledge myself 20 he the servant Of tht
"pccplC according TO the bond Of service, thu
UurCd States CunstUtioni and that, a5 such
n " | am Ieslonsible 70 them"