The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1868-10-06
FROM GES. BUEL

ARDRrE, Ky, Sept. ID, IsGs.-My ar.
engagements will not permit me to accept
your invitation to attend the democratic mass
convention to be held at indianapolis on the
23d INST; but | am interested in its object
and shall rejoice in its success.
Eight years ago the republican and dem.
cratic parties contended for the sdmiDistra.
ton Of the government in the election of u
president. The first, organized solely upon
sectional issues, appealed for support to pas.
sion and sectional prejudices. Its leaders
taught that a dissolution Of the Union was
preferable to conditions which the consttu.
ton had established and pledged themselves
TO hold no intercourse in society, businesses or
politics, with the principal class Of citizens
III the opposite sGcti0u-an attitude which
could mean nothing but d,suhion Or section.
al war. In its public demonstrations it init,
ated n military organization and with threat.
cning motives, beating drums, and warlke
tread, It filled the air with the premouitory
mutteriugs Of battlefield.
Opposed to this revolutionary spirit stood
the great democratic party, which for an al.
most entire period of 90 years administered
| the government with a wisdom and fidelity
which we're attested by the general welfare.
Unfortunately, the sectional passions which
had been aroused disturbed It's councils aud
divided its strength; andits oppOucuts, repre-
sentiug minority Of the people, triumphed
at the polls. war came. The north and
south were arraycd in deadly conflict against
each other; but 1t was not among the mass
Of the democratic party that the idea of dis.
solution was entertained for, while more
than one tultered Of those in the opposite
party who had helped to stir up the strife,
thousands of democrats instantly rushed to
arms to pr serve the Union and maintain
the laws.
1t would be useless to revive these memo.
res at this time, for the purpose OF melting
out in just proportions the responsibilities Of
the conflict which ended four years ago. but
in tracing the causes and devising remedy
for the evils which now Cypress the nation,
they are full Of fitness. To-day these parties
stand opposed to each other in a presiden.
tial canvass. The characteristics which dis.
tnguished them eight years ago are even
more marked now. The one, arrogant,
dcspOtic, revolutionary; reckless OF
the constitutional restrictions, Of the
respective DrerogHtiycs of the
government, of the rights of the states and
the liberties of the people still by prohigacy
and wrong augmenting public debt already
enormous, and increasing the burthens upon
industry and trade by unnecessary and une.
quail taxation the other, faithful as always
to the theory of our government and the true
interests of the people, stands forth to re.
move oppression and restore the constitution
to It's just authority. If that is anything in
our past history worth cherishing; if it is
true that the liberties Of people are safer
under inviolate constitutional rules than I'm.
der the arbitrary dictation of any govern.
ment, still more under an unlimited power
arrogated by one branch of it, then the PEG.
pie of this country cannot too soon decree
a change IN the present management of its
affairs. A return to the support of demo.
cratic principles, by those whom influences
which 1t IS unnecessary here to describe
have reduced into an unnatural political as
ISOLATION with the radical party will effect
this great object in November; and trust
that the strength and enthusiasm of your
convention will add another to the many en-. |
courGging indications that such will be the |
result
With great respect, your obcdient servant,
D. c. BUELL..