Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-07-31
rcnncrufea frum rfr., rarc.l

can be found Tor il. aud that IL viii subvert
our form of government, snd must end IN a
single centralized and consolidated Govern.
ment, in which the separate existence OF the
States viii be entirely absorbed, and an
unqualified dcspo,ism be established in
place Of Fedc, al Union of co-equal States,
and tina, we regard the reconstruction acts
$50 called) or Congress rs such-are usurpa
lions ard Unconstitutional. revolutionary
and void.
This convention has called upon the
rebels Of the South TO regard these govern
ments organized by authority OF acts OF
Congress by the people OF those States as
usurpaiisns. unconstitutional. and void, and
has thereby invited them again TO insurrcc-
ton and rebellion. That is what the reso.
luton means. That is where The Demo
cratic party has placed itself and its
candidate, tha, there shall be no acquiesccncc
IN the action of Congress, but that con-
tinued resistance is and shall be their policy.
They have replied to General Grant by
saying, there shall be no peace. but the
war shall be renewed" There can be no
other policy for that party unless it
acquiesccs IL IL does not accept these re.
construction acts, there can be no policy
but that OF resistance and a renewal of the
war. They declare these reconstruction
acts 10 be unconstitutional aud void
Being void, nobody is bound to rega,d
them; they have no authority over any one
to eoerce or TO punish; and may be resisted
by AIRY one with impunity. That is not the
language of TINS resolution. but il is the
substance and the meaning Of IT. and in
consequence OF this it received the endorse
mcnt and appreciation OF the hundreds Of
rebels who we're in that convention from
the South, men who organized the rebel
government, and organized and led the
rebel armies in battle. This. then. is the
issue, continuance of the war renewal
OF the rebellion because it is either thar
or it is submission aud acquiescence TO villa,
has been done.
But, Mr.. President, we are no, left even
to seek for it by inference. We have n
letter of General Francis Z Blair, written.
believe less than one wee ago. and this
letter has been endorsed by that convention
this afternoon by his nomination As their
candidate for the Vice Presidency.
After reading Blair's letter which we
have already published. Senator Morton
continued.
Mr.. President, that is the Democratic
VII
say OF him is a bold. out-spoken man. and
he spoke The sentiments Of that convention.
lie says, upon these sentiments wan, 10
stand before the convention: :" and upon
those sentiments he was nominated. There
fore. say that the language OF the Dem
ocratic convention at New York 70 the
whole country Is, war; resistance by force
OF arms to Congressional legislation the
overthrow by force OF arms OF the govern.
ment that have been erected in the rebel
States under the laws enacted by Congress;
the continuance Of this struggle, in a some
what different form, bat still the same
struggle con,ending FOR the same principle.
IL is row announced formally, mot at Mont
gomery, not at Richmond. but at New York.
The country need not be- ut any less 10
understand the character of the contes;
upon which We are catering. II is not one
OF peace and acquiescence. Of consolidation
whereby the ravages OF war may be repaired:
but It is new declaration of war, 4 new
announcement OF the rebellion under some
what different circumstances. formidable.
dangerous and solemn Let the country
look the struggle in the face
General Blair has said truly that all that
Is said about grecnbacks and bonds and
questions Of finance smere nonsense. The
great issue is the question Of overturning
the new State governments hy force. the
restoration Of the power OF rebels. or as
they call il the white mems government in
those States and all the rest Is leather and
prunelIa We owe a debt Of gratitude TO
General Blair for his frankness Their
need be no deception praciiccd now. and
there can be none. There can be no Other
issne presented substantially TO rs but tl,at
OF the future peace If this country. Il
Seymour shall be- elected upon bat platform.
he stands pledged to use the army OF The
United States Tor the purpose Of o,criurn.
ing The governments that have been
established in the South 10y the voice OF the
whole people. and 10y that army to place the
power back again into the hands Of the
rebels They were there with him in that
convention. They have Il zen to them their
counsel. They have endorsed Mr. Seymour.
and the convention and ali have endorsed
General Francis Z. Blair
The great issue underlying tie whole