Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1865-05-24

text book now, any more than the Republi
can party, or IT'S heirs or assigns will adopi
the Chicago Platform" OF 1860, for the same
purpose in the future not that the former was
not The very best practicable at the period
and Tor the occasion which brought 1t forth
but because, dealing in time Of war, almost
wholly with questions Of policy, not principle
it would, in time Of peace, be quite as inap
'propriate as The code of Justinian or the Jour
aals of the Continental Congress All that
need now be asked Of our political foes is, that
it be quoted correctly; the more especially
since, though the work Of a committee made
up OF some Of the ablest and truest men in the
Convention, and adopted by that body unani-
mously amid the rapturous applause Of two
hundred thousand ireemen present or at hand
it survived but eight days-dying of crcum
cision But there is one crown OF glory, at
least, during the terrible trials OF the last four
years, richest among the treasures OF the
| Democratic party, which cannot be taken
away II it shall so happen that TO the Repub
lican party may be due the honor of maintain
| ing the Union, to the Democracy the country
is indebted for the preservation Of whatever
remains OF that other aud even dearer birth
and private right.
| But laying all these questions aside for the
present, trust that ali men who, in the old
Roman phrase, feel alike concerning the Re-
public now, may be soon brought to act to
ge;her. He who cannot at this moment, for
a season at least, forget his private grefs, or
lay aside his prejudices against men and par
ties, for the sake OF his country in an hour OF
I,v,al 4 l,pht Oh a do all ba iuAn ,,f no
wise and the utmost frmness of the stoutest.
hearted among u.s. is too much Of partizan
to be anything Of patriot Fortunately
among politicians the labor is usually not
difficult If the melancholy reelection OF Ci.
cero, in his later years, were well considered
and Just, that true friendships are most
rarely found among those who concern them
selves in puolic affairs, it is quite certain also
that perdurable enmities are equally rare with
them. And it ia ths motive, not the new as
sociation, which marks the change of party
habitudes, as patriotic or corrupt 1t was not
the mere fact that Fox and Burke united in
coalition with Lord North. that made them all
odious to the British people, but because the
purpose and circumstances of the coalition
were unpopular and not just. Here and now
the war having accomplished all that the so.
ber and rational among its advocates ever
claimed for 1.-THE breaking down of the
chief military power of the Confederate Gov
ernment--we have reached the point where
all that class among its supporters of what.
ever party, must now unite with the friends of
peace and Cancellation, III exhausting all the
arts of craftsmanship TO the end that a speedy
and perfect paciicalion. aud with il, u real
aud cordial reunion, may be secured. The
questions which belong to u state of war are,
III their very nature and from necessity, TO-.
tally distinct from those which arise upon a
cessation of hostiities Men who have hith.
erto agreed on other issues, will differ widely
now, and new party association must follow
The hereditary supporters Of the President
Just inaugurated, must not assume that, as a
matter of course, the Democratic party will be
found ia opposition upon these questions On
the record, up to the day when the Executive
Office, by reason OF q horrible crime was
forced upon him, he himself differed from that
party only, or chiefly, as TO the fact aud the
manner OF prosecuting the war, Not respon-
sible lOr anything done or omitted by the late
Administration, whereof the Democracy com.
planned, now that the war is ended, he begins
his chief magistracy without past difference in
principle or present separation as to policy
In any event, he is entitled at the hands of
the Democratic party to fair, candid and
charitable consideration of the several meas.
ures which he shall propose, though most as
suredlv at the same time, it will be the duty
OF that party to render Il strict, firm and fear
less Judgment upon them, and to act accord.
ingly as they shall be found to merit support
or to demand opposition. 1t is, indeed, al
ready to be lawented that although General
Sherman may not have had the authority
and he claimed none for himself, referring all
to the Executive-his plan OF Pacfcation and
Re union was not promptly confirmed by the
President 1t was concise, comprehe nsive,
complete proving him not less wise and
great in the science of craftsmanship, than
grand and triumphant in the arts of war And
it would have made peace, immediate and
sincere peace from The Potomac TO The Rio
Grande,' This was his proud congratulatory
boast to his army at the end Of the great
struggle, aud not OF any victory in the field.
Defeating the armed military hosts of the
Coniederacy his aim, at the close, was to con.
quer the hearts of its people also, and to be
exalted thus as the Hero of Peace-the only
true heroism in civil war.
Upon the great question of RECoNsTRUc.
TIoN, as the Democratic party is without pow.
er, so it is without responsibility. 1t can but
accept or reject whatever measures may be
proposed, II the policy which the President
may recommend shall appear upon a calm
and deli berale scrutiny, best adapted in gen.
eral to secure speedy, complete, cordial and
lasting paeiication upon the basis of the
Federal Union OF the States, it will, in my
judgment, be fit and just that the Democracy,
waving all minor points Of detail, lend to
him liberal, earnest and patriotic support
in carrying it into execution. If upon the