The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-10-18
1861.

Der, and lndoreed the platform on which oen'
Mcclellan was nominated. and also passed |
the following resolution, viz:
ResoIred, That we rejoice at the news, this day
received of the evacuation OF Atlanta by the con-
federate army, and hope that the day is not lar
distant when the flag OF our country "ll again
float over every inch of American territory, and
when peace and union shall again prevail IN our
land.
The following is the platform Of the Chica-
90 OF Mcclellan convention, passed on the
Both of August, and Endorsed by the demOc-
racy of this county on the 10th of September
viz:
R,soIred That in the future, the past, we
will adhere with answering fidelity TO the Union ..
under the constitution as the only solid foundation
OF strength, security and happiness as Peo-
pie, and framework OF government equally
conduciveito the welfare and prosperity OF all the
states, both northern and southern.
Resolred That this convention does explicitly
declare, as the sense the American people, that
after four wears of failure to restore the mon, by
the experiment OF war, during which, under the
pretence OF a military necessity or war power high
er than the constitution, the constitution Itself has
been dlsregArded in every part, and pubic liberty
and private right alike trodden cewn, and the ma
ter.i prosperity of the country essentially impair
ed,-Justice, humanity, liberty and the public
welfare demand that Immediate Efforts De made
for cessation of hosuhtes, with view 10 the Nj
innate convention ofthe states, or other peaceaoie
means TO the end that al the earliest practicable
nome nj peace NAV be restored on the basis OF the
Federal nlon OF the States.
ReSolred That the direct interference OF the
military authorities OF the United States IN the
cent eiecuons held IN Kentucky, Maryland. MIS-
sour and Delaware, was shameful violation OF
the constitution, and repetition oisuch acts IN
the approaching election will be held as reVo4U-
tonary, and resisted with 81! the means anu power
under our control.
Resolved. That the aim and object Of the demo-
cratic party IS 10 prsssrrs the FEDERAL Union and
the rights OCtbe states UHimP1rsGi and they here
by declare that they consider thai the ao mInstra-
tive usurpation OF eItraord nary and dangerous
powers not granted BY the constitution; the sub
version o! the civil BY military law in states not IN
InsurrectIon arbitrary military sriest, lnPfs-
onment trial and sentence OF American citizens
in ,,are- where civil law exists full force; the
suppression of the freedom OF speech and OF the
press; the denial of the right oil asylum me open
and ayowed disregard OF state rights; the employ
ment OF unusual test osths; and the interference
with and the denial of the right of the people TO
bear arms IN their def nee IS calculated 10 prevent
q restoration of the Union and the perPetuaron OF
q government deriving lis Just powers from the
consent of the governed.
administration TO It's duty, n respect 10 our fellow
citizens who now are, and long nave been prison.
ers OF war IN suffering condition, deserves The Sc
reprobatIon The sco alike o! PaoI'C POI
lev and common humanity.
ReSOired, That the sympathy OF tue democratic
party heartily and earnestly EXTENDED 10 'he SOL
ders Of our army and the sailors OF our navy VINO
are and have been the field and on the sea IN
under the flag OF their country and IN the event
OF its attaining power, they wNi receive az the
care protection and regard that the brave soldiers
and sailors OF the republic have so poblY earned.
That is the record Of the democratic party
for 1864, and it is one full Of patriotism and
devotion to and love of country.
The principal objection taken 10 this plat
form, blythe republicans. is this; They say
ve declared the war failure. This is not
true. We declared that, thus far there was
failure to restore the Union. This was a
simple declaration OF a we'll known and exist
ing fact. But the republicans would have
soldiers believe we asserted that they
had failed TO do their duty; that they were
lacking in courage. bravery, patriotism, &c,
&c, when the very opposite Is the fact. The
last resolution of the platform gives the lie
to their shameful assertions.
The republicans would have our soldiers
believe that we declared cur armies aud our
battles were failures. This is not so, though
the miserable manner 10 which they were
managed caused the death OF thousands of
soldiers and greatly prolonged the war
The resolution was the assertion Of a plain
and simple fact which then existed, viz
there a failure 10 restore the Union, and
the bad management Of our armies, the Sc
we're reverses aud terrible losses we were
then suffering, had caused the whole nation
to tremble aud doubt for the result. A few
weeks later the tide turned, victory perched
on our banners, and the cause of the Union
was hopeful everywhere. Had the Chicago
convention then been in session it would
have PASSED resolutions in accordance with
the facts which then existed.
The letter Of General Mcclellan, accepting |
the nomination, was alsosccepted as in fact. |
part of the platform, and the people vo-
ted for him with the understanding that he !
would be governed by it's principles. In |
that letter, dated Orange. n. j., Sept. Sth, |
he said:
The eject of long and varied service in the |
the army during and peace, has been to /
strengthen aud make indelliole in my mind and /
heart the love and reverence for the constitution
lave, and flag of our country impressed upon me
in early youth. These feelings have thus far
guided the Of my life, and mast continue to
dc so to its end.
The existence of more than one government
over the region which once owned our flag is in.
compatible with the peace, the power and the
happiness of the people.
The preservation of the Union was the sole
avowed abject for which the commenced.-I
Ii should have been conducted for that object
only and in accordance with those principles
l., T To whnr -.