Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-09-21

rUr<11r Ex1E01xl 1f1fIHx
could be preserved with all the dignity,
equality and rights of the States unim-
paired; called for National Conven-
ton to settle "present difficulties;" pro
tested against extravaganza in the Fed
cral and State Governments thanked
soldiers, and protested against the sus-
pension of the writ Of habeas corpus.
d. A. Starkweather, ofSummit coun-
ty, presided, and II. B. Payne of Guy
ahoga county, presented the resolutions
In contrast with the sentiments thus
expressed, we reproduce the platform
of the Union Party of Ohio-the first
platform ever framed by that party,
adopted in Convention at Columbus,
September 5th, 1861:
Resouled, That the present deplorable
civil war has been forced upon the country
by the disunionsts of the Southern States,
now in revolt against the Constitutional
Government, and in arms around the
Capital.
"Resolued, That in this national emer-
gency we banish all feeling of mere passion
or resentment, and will recollect only our
duty to the whole country; that this war
was not waged upon our part in any spirit
of oppression, nor for any purpose Of con-
quest or subjugation, nor for the purpose OF
overthrowing or interfering wi tn the rights
or established institutions of the States; but
to defend and maintain the supremacy of
the Constitution, and to preserve the Union
with all the dignity, equality and rights of
the severel States unimpaired and as soon
| as these objects are accomplished, the war
ought to cease.
"Resolred, That, in the language of the
Hon. Joseph Holt, we are for the Union
without conditions, one and indivisible, now
and forever; for its preservation at any and
every cost of blood and treasure, against all
its assailants; and against any and every
compromise that may be proposed to be
made under the guns of the rebels. ~
The antagonism of these platforms
was fully represented in all political
discussions, and in political action in
the fall of 1861, and in the winter of
1862. The following are specimens
of the utterances of the Democratic
journals of Ohio during that period :
"It THE Administration has put arms in
to the hands of outlaws, thieves, murderers
and traitors. - Crawford Forum.
'They Union solders are a pack Of
hired scoundrels, who have never been
aught but nuisance to the country. -
Ashland Union.
"They Union soldiers] come hack and
find their places flled-the tide of life run.
ming on unconscious Of their presence, and
forgetful of their absence-their families
probably scattered; their wives probably
under the care of some charitable agent Of
an Aid Society, Uho has found that ther'
are more ,oays than one Of administering
consolation. These pictures only fail the
truth, because they are not as sad as the
reality, nor as vivid. Gin. Enquirer.
who are prosecuting this war. Booty and
brutes. ."-I Circleville Watchman.
Every dollar hereafter spent for thu
prosecution of this Infamous war is useIessly
} wasted-and every life lost in it is al
abominable sacrifice, murder-the re
sponsibility of which rests upon Abraham
Lincoln and his advisers. The man witt
, does not wash his hands of all participation
in such war, shares the guilt of those b.
whom it is prosecuted. Support Of this wa
, and hostility to it show the dividing line be
{ tweenthe friends and enemies Of the Govern
ment He who supports the war is agains
the Union. ~ Crawford Forum.
+ The Democratic State Convention O
f 1862 was held on the 4th of July. Sar
p: Medary was chairman, and Allen G
I Thurman reported the Platform. Th
E following was its chief plank:
"5th. That while we should mete OF
! merited and legal punishment to the plo
! ters of and leaders in this rebellion, we OIL
. opposed to the contemplated sweeping an
indiscriminate acts Of confscation an
emancipation, by Congressional legislatio
e or Executive proclamation; besides-ls
q We do not believe that such acts would
constitutional. I'd. We believe that |
e driving the rebels to desperation, and col
= verting Union men of the South into rebel
they would have the effect to indefinite
;, prolong the war, afford pretext for foreis
Is intervention, and render the restoration
J, the Union next to or quite impossible. 8
II Because, if practicable or carried caJ, tn,
Ii would engender feeling OF bitterness b
,e tween the different sections of the Uni
n that would not be allsyed for generations
se come, and that would be an ever prese
cause of danger and disturbance to the. .pu
IN lie peace; q source of perpetual weakness
q Government, and an ever present incenti
10 to foreign powers to interfere in cur dom
W. tic concerns, and to promote disrupt
n and overthrow of the Republic. 4th. I
cause they would destroy in great degr'
he if not entirely, for many years to come, t
n industrial interests of q large section
of country, and must injurieusly affect the
terests of the whole people. 5th. Becal
es the immediate and indiscriminate eman
we patton of the slaves would be an act Of
humanity to them. g. Because such
emancipation would throw upon the bor'
ed free States, and especially upon Ohio,
ma immense number Of negroes, to comp
~ ~ with and underworld the white laborers
'OO the State, and to constitute, in vari
;he ways, an almost or quite universal nuisa
- if suffered to remain among US, and
o1e would deem it most unjust to our gall
r. soldiers to see them compelled to free
in negroes of the South, and thereby fill .
- with degraded population to CONF
the with these same soldiers upon their ret
to the peaceable avocations Of life. ;"
,;.h The Union Convention of 1862, b