The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-09-27
~ R E NJ A e K s OF
Hon. G. H. PENDLET0N
- - BEFORE THE
Democratic State Convention.

DCIuOCIdUlC OtdGO convention,
Mr. Pendleton said he would not de-
tain the Convention long; that this was
not the time nor place for much speaking;
that he would not enter into details nor
discuss at length the topics which appro-
priately belong to this campaign.
/ He congratulated the Convention that
at length grim-visaged war had smoothed
his wrinkled 'front.' and the questions now
to be considered belonged to the domain
|of argument, and not arms. He con-
graduated the country that the Democrat
ic party still lives in all its vigor, to con
4 front these questions, and to put their So
luton to the crucial test of those princi-
pies by which it SO long and safely and
so prosperously administered the Govern
Iment
"The Democratic party is dead" say
our opponents. Let them look here up
on US, this day, and believe that in num-
bers, at least, it is formidable Let them
look into the history of parties and the
philosophy of the Government, and if
they answer honestly, they must say that
$50 long as a free Government shall last,
there must be, there will be, party as
sertins our principles, advocating our pol :
icy, and probably bearing our name. The
war is over. Its avowed object, of break
ling the military power of the South is
accomplished. The evacuation of Rich
mond announced it. The surrender Of
Lee confirmed it. The capitulation of
every armed force between the Potomac
IL l. I'll .
march of Sherman to Washington, the re-
view of the armies, the mastering out of
regiments, and brigades, and divisions
and corps establish it. And yet here and
there, and especially now, when the exi
lgency Of elections requires the exercise
of arbitrary power or the support Of ex
treme positions, we hear from some eX-
Major General, who wants an Office, or
shoddy contractor whose nav is not yet
filled, or fanatic, who wants more power,
that the war is not over yet. Why not?
Has not the Federal power been estab
lished? Have not the Constitution and
the laws been asserted over the seeded
States? On the 22d day of July, 1861,
the Republican party in Congress declar-
led ''that the war is waged to defend and
maintain the supremacy of the Censtitu-
tion, and to preserve the Union, with all
tho dignity, equality and rights of the
several States unimpaired. Was this
!, true? Then the objects of the war are
accomplished, its purposes are attained,
and all that belongs to a state of war
J should cease. tt false pretext to COW
J Ter over illegitimate ends. It seeks a
screen for the use Of usurped power
J Courts martial, military commissions. .sus-
: pension of habeas corpus, suppression of
| newspapers, interference with free speech
, and free elections. these have been the
, fashions for years past. When we remon-
, strated, we were told they were the neces-
: sary incidents of a state of war, and aids
TO the war making power; that when the
: war ceased they would cease. Then they
; were maintained to support war; now the
/ war is maintained to support them
l The war is at an end! Many of its eff
: fects can never be erased The deep fur.
! Erows which it has left in our government
: tai system can never be smoothed over
D It's influence on the feelings and charac
ter of our people will remain. The rela
f tions of the people and the sections car
, never be exactly restored. The questions
, which it has raised must be settled. The
, results which it has brought about mus
) be accepted. We can not recall the past
: We cannot undo what has been done. w
g can not re-establish exactly the old ordel
7 of things; but we can be just and true,-
' We can bravely and honestly meet nev
b issues, and. like wise men, accepting th'
: unavoidable, yield to accomplished facts
e We can, as nearly as possible, adhere t.
S old landmarks, and thus secure to our
selves all the blessings of good govern
0 ment.
: When Mr.. Lincoln delivered his Inau
! gural Address, hesaid: Suppose you 6
! to war. After much suffering on bot
y sides, and no advantage on neither, yol
/ will have the same questions of intercours
e to settle which you have now" He wa
(. right. We have had war--we have ha
e much sufferings-and what are the ques
e tions remaining? The status of the ne
d groes in the States and the relation of tn
e States among themselves. To Demo
lie crat these questions appear easy of solu
Of ton. He brings them to the test of th
E. Constitution, The Constitution declare
e. that the. powers "not delegated are re
In served 1t also defines the relations {
the States No power has been given
Id the Federal Government, or any of its d.
De partments, to interfere with the status
rs the people of the States, or to define tn
#, relations Of the States to each other.
~ the war was waged to maintain the 81
IS tpremacy of the Constitution. surely tt
TO success of war and the attainment
he peacs should not be made the occasion
,g impairing it These questions must
nt left with the States themselves.
ke If the war was for another purpose;
ce Black Republicanism was all lie; if c.
ry ereion was base pretext, and armed re
I'D olution was the real design, VIC confrol
m another question: What ought to b
a. not what is, the Constitution? And
f. this question: we are being brought. Me
ed high in authority .propourd it to us.
p see that citizen of our own State, no
on the stump, an aspiring man, ,announc
that he viii never consent to the admi
r. n