The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-07-19
REUNION.

REUNION.
It is quite appropriate that the FIRST
grand representative Assembly of the
people of all sections and parties Of our
reunited country, held since the civil
war, should meet at the city Of Phila-
dclphia, where the Congress of the T.
nited Colonies, on the 4th day of July
ninety years ago, proclaimed the indie
pendcnce of the United States Of Amer
lea. If it was glorious event to break
the chains Of foreign dominion, and to
usher into existence free and indcpcn
dent nation, it is equally as important
aud gratifying for that people to break
loose from the letters Of the passions
and prcjudices forged by years Of sec
tional discord Nnnd bloody war, and to
re.establish the Union on basis which
will defy the attacks Of time. If the
Convention could be held at old indie.
peudcncc Hall it would be appropriate !;
but as it will be immensely large it
might be convened at Independence
Square adjoining the old Hall.
The great feature Of the occasion will
be the representation from the South,
one that will add great interest and en-
thusiasm to the scene We hope TO sec
representative men present from the
South-mcn who are the choice Of the
great body Of the people, and can speak
their sentiments because they have felt
them also Themselves. Such miserable
driycllers as John NJ. Bolts Of Va. and
Hamilton of Texas, who might possibly
swear that they never aided the Rebel.
lion, might represent the wishes Of the
Radical North, but never that Of the
Southern people. We can have no con
fdcncc in the assurances given by such
men who are pampcrcd up with the idea
that the very few men who remained
loyal during the war arc to rule the
mass Of the people there BY force
Such an idea might answer in the midst
Of war; but not for one moment after
the war is over, and the people have
succumbcd Ia the nature of the case
the Southern people must rule them
selves, or the government il not ropub-
lican We believe that n great change
has taken place in their sentiments aud
that they sincerely desire to return to
their old standing in the Union. So
far they have been allowed no chance
for hearing and we desire that they
shall be respectfully heard through their
genuine representatives in the Philadel.
phia Convention aud we have nodoubt
that their utterances in favor of fra.
tcrnal reunion will elcctrify aud thrill
the nation.
Another noticeable feature will be the
harmonious meeting of the representa-
tiyes Of the Democratic party and Con
sentative Republicans ofthe loyal States.
We anticipate no difficulty in their har-
monious blending. The good feeling to
be produced by the first meeting with
the true representatives Of the Southern
people will quickly amalgamate all the
conflicting interests of the other parties
in the Convention, aud will extend its
wholesome influence far beyond the
sphere represented in the Convention.
That, and the popularity ofthe recon
struction plan of President johnson,
will ensure a harmonious result in the
Convention.
We feel satisfied that the Democratic
party will interpose no difficulties, by
seeking to compel all to rally under
their standard, or for their peculiar
nominees. There is crisis in the af-
fairs of the country which demands the
union Of ali conservative parties, and
the laying aside, temporarily at least, of
party feeling. We discover that in
New York, and probably elsewhere,
there arc factions in the Democratic
ranks which no pure party nomination
at this time can reconcile yctthe most
ultra of these all agree in supporting
the policy of President Johnson, and
hail with JOY the restoration of the
South
We say then-until we have this
grand and glorious restoration Of the
Union fully accomplished-let all mere
partizan or sectional feelings be laid
aside, or consumed in the bright glow of
patriotic feeling which this Philadel-
phia Convention will surely enkindle.
An. Irish editor, in speaking of the