Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-10-13
THE MANIFESTO OF THUnLOw
WEED.

matters. That given affords evidence that
Mr. WEED Is a patriot and statesman Of en-
larged views, and that he refuses 10 trife
with the peace and security Of the country
for mere partisan objects. If the North had
more men Of the stamp Of THURfow WEED,
the future Of this nation would promise
more auspiciously than it does now. His
course in regard to the approaching New
York election is in striking contrast 10 that
pursued by that professional trimmer, II. j.
RAYMOND, and we trust will rectify among
conservative Republicans TIE mischief done
recently by his detection.
THE NATIONAL UNION PARTY.
To he Editor Of the Nelg York Times: Near
the inauspicious close Of protraeted session
of Congress, several distinguished Republi-
can friends Of President JoHNsoN's Admin
istration, invited such loyal citizens Of all
the States as desired an enlightened, Just
and speedy restoration Of Union, Fraternity
and Brotherhood, to assemble in Convention
at Philadelphia. This invitation was
Endorsed by equally distinguished Demo-
cratic statesmen, and was responded to by
able and patriotic delegations from States
North and South, whose calm deliberations
and wise conclusions promised salutary re-
suits.
The Convention was attended by eminent
men from the North, irrespective of party.
From the South came equally eminent men,
most Of whom had been concerned in the
rebellion, but who, the war over, accepted
81. r. Ia
sired to return to their allegiance and duty
in the Union and under the Constitution.
In the Declaration Of Principles adopted
unanimously by that Convention, the South
ern delegations pledged themselves 10 all
that justice, duty, honor and magnanimity
required.
The Philadelphia Convention contem-
plated, for the pending canvass, State organ
izations in the spirit of its purpose and ac-
ton. Itpresumed that, anxious to coneen-
frate the conservativesentim and strength
Of the Northern people, State organizations
would proceed upon the basis of Union iu-
augurated at Philadelphia, Republicans and
Democrats, for the time being and for COM
mon object, merging their names and organ
izations in that of the NATIONAL UNION
PARTY. In Directing, subsequently, to two
State Conventions, and calling one with del
egates Of Republican and Democratic ante
cedents, the Philadelphia principle was pre-
served.
That the Democratic party consented, for
the accomplishment Of a great reform, to tenn
porarily merge itself in the National Union
movement, was my understanding and ex-
pectation. That, too, wasthe understanding
Of the late Mr. RICHMOND, with whom |
held frequent frank and unreserved CONVEX
sations. This is evidenced also By the politi-
cal constitution and course Of the Philadel-
phia Convention. The World hesitated to
approve, while the Leader ridiculed the
Philadelphia call; but when the Democracy
of the State walked into that Convention,
those journals acquiesced.
/ do not, of course, hold party response
bic for the views of one of its leading jour
mails, nor for the acts of individual Demo
Gratis. Ny object is to guard, as far as posi-
bic, against the expression of views and the
repetition Of acts which embarrass the can
vass.
From the outbreak of the rebellion have
cal distinctions. | saw and said, at the be-
ginning, that the rebellion would try the
strength of the whole people" All, there
fore, Republican or Democratic, who stood
by the Union and sustained the Government
we're equally friends.
In wars between nations, however pro-
tracted and sanguinary, peace, when it came,
was as significant as war, and bore its fruits.
But civil wars leave their sting, or barb, to
rankle and tester. With us, though blood
has ceased to flow, the war goes on, with this
difference, that the North has become al
most as exacting and aggressive after, as the
South was before the rebellion. For the
first time in the history of signal wars,
terminating triumphantly, the victors fail in
the exercise of that great, redeeming virtue
"a virtue which distinguishes the civilized
from the savage state-magnanimity. In
deed, ordinary forbearance toward erring
brethren who have lost everything, seems
more than we can afford. And yet two
thirds of all who followed their traitor
leaders into rebellion believed their cause
just as right and patriotic as we know ours to
have been.
In view Of the determination of Radical
leaders to Obstruct the return of loyal rep
to Congress and loyal States to
the Union, and to deprive the country and
the people of the legitimate fruits Of apeace
in which
-" Both parties noblv are subdued.
And neither party loser,
the Conservative sentiment of the people,
North and South was appealed to. That APP
peal, to be successful, involved the necessity
Of ignoring party, and of voting for candi-
dates irrespective of their antecedents. For
this was and am prepared. Nor have
any hesitation in voting for Democrats who
were loyal during the war. In common
with all my Wing friends, voted for Demo-
Gratis freely, after the Republican party was
Indeed, since its Inauguration
we have done little else than vote for Demo-
Gratis. ] voted in 1864 for n Democrat for
Governor and a Democrat for Lieutenant
Governor The Speaker Of the present As
sembly came to us wreaking from Copper
head hot-bed, with the music of his seces-
sion speech ringing in our ears. l voted,
Also twice for Democratic State Comp
troller and twice for Lieutenant Governor
not as Democrats, but as representatives
of our principles The rebellion broke up
and COMPOUNDED political organizations.
Leading Republicans and Democrats are
now rivaling each other in their extreme
Gen. B. +. BUTLER, Demo-
crat who supported BREcKINRIDGE for Presi-
dent is now a full neck ahead of Mr.. SUM.
NER in the race for President in 1870.
Though signally unfortunate in his conflicts
with the enemy at Big Bethel and Fort
Fisher Gen. BUTLER presses the South now
and CALAMITY
The men who now lead the Radical cru
SADIE against the President, attempted, during
the war, 10 divide the North Such n divi-
sion would have destroyed both the Govern
ment and Union. That calamity was avert
ed by the iirmness and patriotism of Con-
sentative Republicans. In 1860 the same
leaders, as hostile TO Mr.. LINCOLN as they
are to President JOHNSON, attempted to de-
feat his election by a flank movement at
Cleveland. Their call for that Convention
was signed by the present editor Of the Al
bany ErcRing Journal. Mr.. GREELEY
wrote private letters to prominent Republic
cans inviting their cooperation in 4 scheme
to defeat Mr.. LINCOLN's election.
The same leaders went TO Washington last
December with the deliberate intention to
quarrel with the President, who, up to that
day and hour, followed in the footsteps Of
his illustrious predecessor" Their denuncia-
tons, prosecutions and ISLANDERS have been
systematic, persistent and fiendish. IL I'M
der keen sense Of injustice, he has since
erred in judgment or temper, none will deny
the sufiiciency of the provocations. That it
would have been wiser, though less manly,