The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-07-31
The Philadelphia Convention
Letter from MIR. Vnllandighnnl.

purpose Of the Philadelphia National Con-
ventiou ofsAugnst l4th, TO propose any
measure looking to the present or ultimate
dlsbanding of the Democratic party, ac-
cept the appointment ne one OF the dele
gates TO that Convention from this Dis
trlct aud, accepting, desire 10 add a word
Of explanation.
am well aware that by the great mass
OF the Democratic party, here and else
where, the Convention Is regarded with
extreme jealousy and dIstr,Rt. Notliipg
could be more natural; nothing more
just. They who stand FORTH 10 the world
"a the managing agents OF the movement,
were among the ciiief supporters Of the
late Mr.. LINCOLN and of the party by
which he was nrst and second tline
chosen President There is not one act of
wrong, oppression or outrage committed
during the last five years, upon the pcm-
ocratic party or the individual members
who compose It. for which they are not
directly or remotely responsible. Some
among them spent life tinic in nraisiug the
storm Of civil war which for so long ragged
with the fury of the hurricane all over the
land--that storm whose lashings threaten
yet TO engulph whatever Is left of the orig
inal form of our Federal system, the rights
of the States and the liberties of the people.
Through the agency of these men, and OF
others with them, reign Of terror, scarce
surpassed oven in the darkest periods Of the
French Revolution of 80, smote the land ;
wrenching hearts, desOlating homes, and
destroying, in its course, not only political
and personal liberty, but the peace, the
quiet and the security Of every hearthstone,
those only excepted where dwelt the syco-
phants or minions of despotie power, Not
Democratic household in Ohio, perhaps
any where, escaped without injury to
person or property, or, at least, without
insult and wrong TO name to family, and
to reputation. Dispersal of public meet
ings, suppression of newspapers, proscrip-
ton in all the social, religious and busi-
ness relations of life calumnics, persecu-
tions, mobbings, stripes, stonings, arrests,
imprisonment military commissions, exile,
death--these were the bitter fruits of the
teachings and policy of the men who now
invite Democrats 10 sit in friendly council
with them in the Philadelphia Convention.
That such an invitation from such a quar-
ter, should be received with suspicion and
dlstrust, if not with keeuer, stronger emo
tions, Is but an instinct of nature and
whoever consents, offers up high and
holy sacrifice TO magnanimity and patriot
ism. But wise men do not hearken to the
voice of passion, and true patriots never
sacrifice tho being and welfare of their
country to the impulses of revenge. Proyi-
dence has made possible, IN spite of the
evil policies of the past five years, the
restoration of the Constitution and the
Union, and with ther1, of free federal gov
ernment, and public and personal liberty.
The tide in the affairs of men which leads
to fortune, is now setting in, and it must
be taken at the flood. AS to all who in
good faith "accept the situation" and
would even yet avert the natural and
legitimate fruits, North and South, Of civil
war, the past must be forgotten, antece
dents ignored, and the great issue of tho
hour be made the sole test of present fell
lowship and corporation. Save the ship
first: Strive then for the mastery. lie who
cannot attain to the hight of this great ar
gument is too much of u partisan to be
anything of patriot.
On every side dangers encompass us
The late war, indeed, is over; but the
evils of which llt wars, and civil wars es.
pecially, are the prolific parents, Just nov
begin to be felt. In good faith and earnest
ly, as believe, the Presdentlabors day anC
night, to avert or to mitigate these evils
His is the rare, but wise, healing, eXalte,
policy OF Cancellation, magnanimity-th
policy of the Christian and the Statesman
That of the Republican party representa-,
by the Congress, may be summed up il
two words, Vde victis, "Woe to the con
Iquered"-the unwise, narrow, irritating
peeee-destroying policy of the barbarian
and the pirate. Between these two tn
country must now choose, and the life O
the Republic hangs upon the choice.
am not unaware that a handful of mis-
ohievous and evll-dispOsed persons of til
Republican party, now among the pro
ANooSN ~ ANHAo VI bhN DtI lHtIl
selves peculiarly odions and unpatrioti
record and antecedents. pretend to set u
tests for admission to the Phila
delphia Convention, as against Ger
tain men = in fact all men - of tn
Democratic party. The combined indie
cency, presumption, and folly of this pre-
tence, together with the mingled treaeher
and hypocrisy of the motives which prcmI
it, render 1t too contemplate for furthe
notice. If the Philadelphia Convention !
TO apply any other test than the presen
status and principles of the delegates upo
the one great question of the day, as Sc
forth in the call-above all, If 1t is to b
perverted to an inquisition, ON either sid,
into the record and antecedents Of the me
who shall present themselves with the OF
dinary credentials of membership, the
appropriately it should be assembled in tn
Temple of Discord; OF, far better, it ha
not be assembled at all. Upon the heads {
those, of either party, who shall first sti
these fountains of bitterness, be the ev
which shall follow.
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