Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1866-08-22
PLATFORM.

..,o,,.ph, 1t was not correctly or fairly
sni,omized in the Geographic index OF its
contents. 1t is a paper that is false in its
premises and its logic, throughout. we
are sstonished tina, such a Declaration
should be written by men OF the reputa-
ton and character possessed by its sup
posed authors. All through there is a pre-
tense Of entertaining one object, when the
conclusion clearly manifests another an
entirely different, as the real aim OF the
authors. I. makes a direct attack upon
convress, upon the members constituting
the majority, Unfortunately it reads It
ou. of constitutional existence, virtually
s,;omatizes its acts as invalid; and this
is indi,ed by persons who have been ad-
vocs,ing and voting for and against bills
and drawing their regular per diem and
mileage in this same "usurping" National
legislative body! The platform" denies
the RICH, Of Congress to inquire into the
capacity to elect" had or lacked by the
several Congressional Districts Of the
lately rebellious States; expressly calls
the passage Of the Constitutional Amend
meni a "usurpasion :" pirates mourn
fully of the "disfranchisement" OF the
lately rebellious States; and, in effect,
contends that the moment Lee and john
ston surrendered, the people living in the
lately rebellious States had the right to
send Representatives to Congress, who
must be admitted without challenge on
the ground of loyalty in the past. With
the most despicable it OCCASION
ally sets up the claims of the Radicals"
as though they were the opinions Of the
Union majority in Congress, and proceeds
to argue against them as Congress"
We are glad to note-for it demonstrates
the spirit in which the entire paper was
~wri,ten-that the platform builders at
Philadelphia indirectly attack the Amend
ment itself.
The most surprising fact in connection
with this Convention now appears to US
to be, that Vallandigham, Pendleton s
Co. were not admitted to seats. We feel
confident that either Of the Copperheads
named could have drawn up an ADLER (as
they certainly would have framed a more
caudid) Declaration. There is some dis
suise in the document-here and there a
paragraph or sentence that would read
periodically, if it stood alone--but the
main and ~undeniable focus Of all is: the
grand result of this war is Tor should beg
the returning of Representatives, to both
Houses Of Congress, from the States re-
Gently allied under a so-called Southern
Confederacy, without exacting any condi-
tons of loyalty.
We imagined that the Philadelphia con-
cIave would assemble and pass a series Of
resolutions, or otherwise frame a platform
simply appealing for admission of repre-
sentatives in Congress on the loyal test
oath, and against exclusions by States;
but not presuming to question the valid
ity OF the acts Of Congress so far, and the
constitutional right TO submit the Amend
ment which is now before the States, by
due form Of communication from Secre-
tary Seward,-by him officially submitted
to the different communities prior to a Con-
gressional request for him so to do. But
the Platform is nothing less than a regular
secesh State Rights concern; character
lied in its construction by an audacious
defiance Of the truth of present history.
While it has a preface pretense to a desire
for national harmony, it is pleading, from
the opening paragraphs on, for a system
Of construction that would enew all
the ancient strength Of the "chivalry"
and afford them full opportunity to pun
ish the loyal North for preserving this
Government. This Platform does mean
the admission Of r%ed-handed rebels into
Congress. While it impu,es Radical"
sentiments to the congressional majority,
as before remarked, it does not stop with
d~enouncing the Radical " plans; il. con-
dennis the conservative and ruling portion
Of the majority in Congress.
The Philadelphia Convention is not the
"~failuEe" we anticipated it would be; it's
a success for the Union party; for 10 man
can, after full and sincere consideration,
stand upon its platform and claim, with
any show Of reason, and in the light Of
our civil war experience, that he is in
Of the perpesuity of our institutions
If Republican freedom. II the Philadel-
ohia Platform is sound doctrine, then the
: issue" Of the war was: to force traitors
back into ruling places in the chief coun-
Of the Nation.