The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-07-20
A DEMOCRAT ON THE PoLITI-
CAL SITUATION.
LETTER OF AUGUST BELMONT, ESQ.
The Chairman OF the National Democratic
Executive Committee on the Crisis
and the Philadelphia Convention.

29ih ult., wishing me to attend a mass conven-
tion OF the Democracy of Eastern and Central
Pennsylvanla, to be held IN your city on the 18th
instant, tor winch please accept nv cordial
thanks. The resolutions under which your con-
vention Is called meet with nv most hearty
approval and concurrence, embOdying rs they
do the timehonored principles of the
great Democratic party-that only true
national party, which at all times in
veal or woe, has never known any
other watchword but that of the Constitution
and the Union. When designing politicians and
reckless fanatics had sown the seed OF discord
between North and South-when secession hrst
raised its reasonable voice, it was the Demo
cratic party which, through its press and its
leaders, counselled moderation and mutual con
Cessons, and sought 10 avert tie fearful Gala mity
OF civil war. Th, Sc efforts faled passion ruled
the hour; and the Iratricidal hand OF our mis-
guided brethren OF the South was raise against
our flag and our Union. Then, again, tie
Democratic masses, forgetting all former
party divisions, rushed to the defense of the
Constitution and the Union, and poured outth
blood and treasure in support OF the Govern
ment and the laws. They stood with unwaver-
ing unanin ity and devotion by the Admlnistra-
tion OF Mr.. Lincoln, though they had no
atilialion with the party or the doctrines which
had placed him power. History cannot point
to nooler instance of enlightened and selt.
sacrificing patriotism than that evinced by the
Democratic party during the fearful trials
through which we have passed. Now, again,
when, after a struggle OF four years, such as the
world has never witnessed before, the bravery
OF our people has vindlcated the supremacy
OF the law-when we have asserted tor all time
to come that the Union OF these States can
never be severed, and that no State can ever
hereafter break the Federal compact, except
w1h the consent OF all-now, when nearly eigh-
teen months peace aud prosperity reign BY the
blessing OF God over the broad extent OF our be-
loved country, set of unprlncpled radicals in
congress, unmndt tul OF the wishes OF their Union
loving constituencies, are determined to DESTROY
the work done nv brave and
and TO prevent the reestablishmeut OF
the Cnion for which they have bled on many
hard-tought battlefield. These wicked men
have thus lar been able, by tactious opposi-
tion, 10 Illustrate the work of reconstruction
and the patriotic designs of our Pres dent,
whose course, dictated as it has been by states
manshlp and enlightened humanity, has met
with the hearty approval not only OF every good
citizen. but of every lover of free institutions
throughout the world. The Union, in all its
power and majesty, is restored; the proud
flag OF our country floats triumphantly
and undisturbed from the Lakes to tine Gulf,
and from ocean 10 ocean, and yet eleven sove-
reign States, forming almost one-tbird of the
brilliant constellation OF our Union, are denied
the rights guaranteed to them by the Constitu.
tion; their Representatives and Senator's, elected
IN strict accordance with the law of the land,
have been refused admittance to their seats
IN the Legislative halls of the nation, and
their citizens are there treated by a
sectional majority like conquered subjects,
and not like tree citizens of our common coun-
try. Such a state OF things cannot and must not
last; IT IS iraught with the most imminent dan
ger to our liberties. II is for tue Democratic
party to lise once more in its might and save che
country from the hands of those who would not
hesitate to distract and destroy it, in order to
accomplish their own wicked and selfish ends.
Jackson the father of the Democratic party
said these words, ever dear to the American
heart: The Union must and shall be preserved;n
and the last admoniton of the late lamented
Douglas, given on his death-bed to his be-
md hu I, Int Ill.,
such guides before us, our way Is clear aud easy
Let stand by the Union, therefore, and the
President, in the struggle which he is carrying
on so mantully against iactious opposition in
both Houses oil Congress. In order to do SO. we
must send good and sound men as our repre-
sentatives to Congress, in order that they NAV
take the place OF those uniaithful agents who
betray tneir trust, and disgrace the gene
rous and enlightened splrt of the Ameri.
can people. How can this be effected? how
can the fOrlorn hope OF conservative
men, SO long overwhelmed and crushed
BY radical majority, be reinforced sufficiently
to give to 1t che control of the next Congress?
This can be accomplished if the Democracy will
place in nomination men of conservative and
statesmanlike Views-men who, through the
darkest hour OF our nations trials, never
wayered In their devotion to the Union and the
Constitution. Only to such men will the Ame-
rcan people give their surfaces: and 1t is
only by their election that we can hope to
avert dangers OF Capitalization and sec
our greatness and our liberties as seces.
sion and disintegration. / hope that the
efforts OF your Convention will tend towards
such result; and trust also that In its proceed
ings there VIII be decided expression In favor
OF the National Union Convention to be held in
Philadelphia on the 14th of next month. The
great Democratic party, without in any way
abandoning Its State and national organization
can wen afford to lend its countenance to every
effort made by good and conservative men to-
wards the perpetuation of the blessings OF free
institutions in every section OF our common coun-
try. In letter written TO me by Senator Douglas
few months before his premature death, al the
time when the Peace Conference was sitting
in Washington, and when the fate of the nation
trembled In the SCALE that true patriot said, 81
shall act with any man, irrespective of party,
andI shall vote for any measure, without reie-
renee to what may heretofore have written or
avert the dlreful calamity OF disruption OF this
Union" such, hope and trust, will be the
feeling of every Democrat throughout the land,
and then we are sure to succeed against the
fanatics and radicals in and out of Congress.
Mr.. Secretary Seward, in a letter re-
Gently addressed bv him to the TammanY
Society OF this city, called that ancient
Democratic organization true Union
League. | claim this title for the whole
Democratic party; We are the great National
Union League OF the United States leagued
iheT, Tor all time to come, against the foes of
the Union and the Constitution, regret eX-
tremely that my engagements will not permit
me to leave home at present. and that l shall
friends OF the old Keystone Slate.
(Signed) A. BELMONT.
Chairman National Democratic Committee
To the Honorable ]. d. Davis, Chairman Demo
cratic Standing committee, Berks county.
Honorable WILLIAM RosENTHAL
President Democratic City Club of Reading.
n