The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1866-08-01
1892 CADZ OHIO WEDNESDAY, AUGUST l. 1885,

mat purity Is not disposed to forget thai il
wis the only political organization upon
which the Government relted during the
wat, and that it saved the integrity of the
nation against the armed efforts of the
rebels in the South and the political hostil-
iIy Of Democrats in the North 1t fell,
thereforg, that it is now entitled to control
the Government a. against both these par
ties, and 1t is not disposed TO cooperate
with either OF them or to accept their CO.
operation in any political action whatever.
They objected TO the first call for the Phil
alpha Convention, that il would admit
all Southern I.bels who would not accept
the Union they had tried to destroy, while
1t excluded many OF the men who had
saved It. They object to the second call,
that while 1t excludes all Union men who
insist on guarantees and con itions of res.
tnratlon, it expressly hands over one-half
the Convention to those who opposed the
Union party in the election of l864-giving
them, III fact, the pr pondtrapce. inasmuch
as In eleven Stntes the Union party had at
that time no existance, and can now, there
fore, have no represt ntatiCn. And they
are Sill further rerelled By the eager alac,i-
ty with which the recent rebels of the
recent rrbels # the Snuth and the intense
Cnpperheads of the North, like Fernando
Wood and Valandigham, accept the invi.
tatIon aid prepare to take part in its pro-
cecdings.
The rerugnnnce which they feel to rolit-
zeal association with men whose record is 10
utterly unpatriotic and so obnoxious to pub
lc appreciation, is by no meahs unnatural or
unjust, and contributes largely to prejudice
the public mind against the Convention and
all connected with it. 1t gives color to and
confirms the charge that its object is to
REIN tate IN office and in power men who
have been justly exp, lied by the people for
their Grim, against the country, and to ex-
clude those to whom the country is indepted
for its salvation.
The Uuion rarty must not forget, how
ever, that the Philadelphia Convention is
doe entirely to its own failure to compre-
hend and meet the necessities of the hour
When the war was over and the rebellion
suppressed, a powerful public snntilnent,
pervafIng all parties, demanded the prompt
restoration of national dctiop under the
Constitution and in accordance wish the
fundamental principles of the Government.
Ii the Union party had responded to that
sentiment, which was very powerful in it's
own ranks--if it had co-operated with the
President, who did comprehend and sym.
pathizc with it---and had made the reSto-
ration Of union, peace and concord the first
object of its endeavors, it would have broad
ened its own foundations and left neither
motive nor excuse for any such movement
as that which is now on foot IF Congress
had two months ago, admitted to their seats
loyal members from Southern States, who
could take the oath prescribed by lawn
other words, if they had admitted the mem
hers tiom Tennessee aud Arkansas, the on.
ly States which have sent such men, the
Philadelphia Convention would never have
been heard of. Unfortunately the Union
party. contrary to the judgment of very
many Of its own.menbers, surrendered it.
self to the guidance of men with whom 9TH
er things were more important than the
pace and harmony of the country. 1t fol-
lowed the lead Of mer who insisted upon
'rccons'lnciit 6 the Government frou its
lonnda ions, instead of restoring the Union
which the rebellion had for the time de-
stroyed, and repairing the hreeches which
The war had made. 1t listened to tales Of
the provinces it had conquered, the new
rights it had acquired, the absolute, unchrck-
ID power it now enjoyed and while it was
ndulging its dreams of sutjugation, of CON
iscation, Of universal suffrage and the ele
pation of the negro race, the enemy quietly |
stepped i'll and took possession of the strong
lold Of the Union and Constitution whe"e
III its victories had been won, but which for
he moment it seems to have deserted.
These delats of its own have given the
Philadelphia Convention degree of strength /
which it is not wise for the leaders of the
Union party to igLore or underiate. BY
udicious counsels at the outset they might
iave prevented it; at later stage they might
nave controlled it: il is not yet to late to
ave themselves from being ruined by it
But they will make fatal mistake if they
content the mselves with ignoring or de-
bouncing it. 1t it should happen to be un
Ter the guidance of wise and patriotic coun
'els--if the Southern delegates who may
participate in its deliberations should prof:
er. in their words and their action, unmis-
axis evidence of the sinc,ri with which
hey accept the adverse resulr of the war
hey waged, and Of their readiness to adapt
heir laws, their habits and their whole pc.
itical ACTION to the necessities which that
psult has created-if the Northern Demo
rats, who share its action, should cut loose
rom the men and the measures which made
h. M so justly obnoxious to pubic censure
Turing the war, and should pledge them
elves to the honor of tie nation and to q
liberal policy worthy alike Of its history and
is iestiry-if the platform Of principles
which the convention may adept. aud the
,ction il may recommend, shall prove thus
to the enlarged and lofty aspira-
ions of the national heart, it may be found
hat no party organization, however com
oact it may seem to he, and however strong
y fortif. d by the memory Of past services,
;an Withstand its influence upon the senti-
nents and The action of the great body of
he American people. 1t is a mistake to
leem party organization solid and unas-
aiable merely because it looks so A po-
itical party, nike the ice of frozen lake.
nelts away from beneath, and while at
'vening its surface may seem to be perfect
y solid and UNTOUCHED by rift or sea m, the
,reeze of single night may perfect the
york which weeks of silent unseen decay
,ave been preparing. Doubts as 70 the
continued necessity or usefulness Of party
lever begin with it's leaders or active work
RS, hut always with the silent masses who
merely watch and think, while others act,
nd whose action, in season of coDihiotion,
ap pevef be predicted two weaks ahead
or must it be forgotten that the position
4 the Union party to day is one which j.
las never held before. The issues to which
! will stand committed are new to It's or.
anixation and to the public mind. The
'eople have never yet been called to vote
non them, and while they may seem to
heir jealous advocates and authors to ba
cry strong, Others may prove to be still
tronger than they.
The Italian army suffered sad reverse
he other day. because. trusting, in the good
srrsses IS wSass Sasse strength s ihs 4 dspsed sss
non Is party wi will consult it, own safety and
&c self f against the rhiisielphia Convention