The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-09-18

resolution of the platform gives the lie to
that shameful assertion. I
The republicans would have our soldiers Z
believe that we declared our armies and our
battles were failures. This IL not go though I
the miserable manner in which they were
managed caused the death Of thousands of
soldiers aud greatly prolonged the war. The
resolution was the assertion Of plain
aud simple fact which then existed, via there
was a failure TO restore the Union, and the bad
management of our armies, tue severe rever-
ses aud terrible losses we were then suffer
ing. had caused the whole nation TO tremble \
/ ami doubt for the result few weeks later .
/ the tide turned, victory pere red on our BAN 2
ners. and the cause of the Union was hopeful .
everywhere. Had the Chicago convention
then been in session 1t would have passed res
olutions in accordance with facts which then
existed.
The letter of General Mcclellan, accepting
the nomination, also a part of the plat
form, and the people voted for him with the
understanding that be would he governed By
its principles. In that letter. dated Orange,
n. j., Sept. S,h, he said
The effect Of long and varied service in the
the army during and peace has been TO
/ strengthen and make indellble in NV mind and
feart the love and reverence for the constitution
= laws and fig Of our country impressed upon me
E / in early youth. These feelings have thus far
guided the course of NV life, and must continue
, to DO 10 it. end.
, The existence of more than government
over the REGION which once owned our flag l. in
n compatible with the peace, the power and the
. happiness of the people.
b, The preservation Of the Union was the sole
avowed object for which the commenced
= IL should have been conducted for that object
/ ONLY and in accordance with those principles
g which took occasion to declare when in active
g service Thus conducted, the work Of Teconcil.
: iation would have been easy, and We might have
= resped the benefit Of our many victories on land
!, | and sea.
The Union was originally formed bv the exer.
=, else Of a spirit OF Cancellation and compromise -
/, To restore aud preserve it, the same spirit must
$ prevail in ouncils and in the hearts of the
people.
e The r,-estsb!ishmcnt Of the Union in all it,
~ integrity i, aud must continue 10 be- the irdis-
p pensable condition Of any settlement
so soon a. it j. clear, on even probable, that
&c our present adycraT.,s ready for peace upon
the basis OF the Union, should exhaust all the
resources Of -r=t,sIn- ustp pTactced by civilized
|. nations and taught by tie traditions Of the Am
n teres;s Of the country, To secure such peace,
ID establish thc IGou, and guarantee tor the future
L the constitutional Fghts OF every statc. The In
n isn j. the one condition Of pcace-we ask no
more.
IN Let me add What doubt not was, although
e, UnexprC->cd, the sentiment Of tire convention as
e il s OF tHe people they represent, that when ans
'e one state j. willing return 20 the Union IL
= should be received At once, with full guarantee
of all its constitutional rights.
If frank. earnest, ana persistent effort TO OBJ
l. tain those objects should fail the reSpons. bility
, for Interior Consequences will fall upon those who
remain in arms against the Union: but the I'm
ion must Toe preserved at oil hazards.
| could not look in the face Of nv gallant com
radCs of the army and navy who have survived
= 20 many bloody battles ami tell them that their
labors and the sacrifice Of sn many OF our slain
, and 1uudei brethren had been IN vain that
= we had abandoned that Union for which We have
ie 80 often peTillrd our lives.
A vast majority Of our people, whether in the
" army aud navy, or at home, would, a. would
n hail Eith uLtOunied joy the permanent restors-
n ton Of peace, on the basis of the Union under
N the constitution, without the effuson Of another
ID drop Of blood but no peace can Dee permanent
n without Union.