The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1868-07-16
SPEECH
SENATOR MORTON.

SENATOR MORTON.
The Democracy Shown Up
Powerful Exposition of the
Party's Infamy.
Senator Morton delivered the fol.
lowing speech in the Senate on the
9th inst.
Mr.. Morton--ssI do not rise SO
much to discuss the various propo-,
sitions relative to counting the elec
torial vote as to say that / am for
that offered by the Senator from
Vermont believing that it is more
specific and direct than the other
two, but perhaps any one of them
would answer the purpose. I desire
however, to say one word in regard
to the Importance Of this measure.
We have been noting the proceed
ings of a Convention held in the
City Of New Nork, which has but
just adjourned. I have read the
resolutions adopted by that .Conven-
ton. The platform of principle, as
laid down, and upon which its car
didates have been placed, and wish
to call the attention of the Senate
to the issue that is presented to the
country by this platform and by the
character of tb5se candidates.
General Grant, in his letter of fac-
ceptanos, said, "Let US have peace. !"
But the Democratic party by their
Convention in New York have said !:
LET Us have war, there shall be no
peace" They have declared in sub
stance. might say perhaps on di-
rect terms, that the reconstruction
ofthese States under the several acts
of Congress shall not be permitted
to stand. but shall be overturned bv
military force. If they get the
power they have announced that
there shall be no peace In this coun
try; that there shall be no settle
ment of our troubles except upon
the condition Of the triumph OF
those who have been in rebellion. -
This platform and these nomina-
tions are the declaration of the re
newal of til rebellion. Let me call
your attention to part of the eighth
resolution, in regard to this very
question; In speaking of the recon
struction of the States, they go on
to say that 1.-THE power to regulate
suffrage exists with each State,'
making no difference between loyal
States that have been at peace, and
States that have been in rebellion,
putting them all upon the same
footing, and that "any attempt by
Congress, on any pretext whatever
that is upon the pretext of the re-
bellion, if you please-''to deprive
any State Of this right or interfere
with its exercise, is a fagrant usur-
patton of power which can find no
warrant in the Constitution, and if
sanctioned by the people will sub
vert one form ofGovernment. They
declare that the interference Of Con
gress with the suffrage in States
that have been in rebellion, though
that interference may be absolutely
necessary, as we have found it to
the reconstruction of the States, is
unconstitutional. and that no justi
fication can be found for it, and that
it will subyert our form of govern
ment. This Convention has called
upon the rebels of the South to
regard these governments, organ
lied by the authority of acts OF
Congress. by the people of these
States. as usurpations, unconstitu-
tional, and it has thereby invited
them again to insurrection and re,
bellion. That is what that resolu
ton means. There is where the
Democratic party has placed itself
and its candidates, and there shall
be 70 acquisence in the action OF
Congress. but that continued resis-
tance is and shall be their policy
They have replied to General Grant
by saying that there shall be no
peace, but the war shall be renewed.
There can be NO other policy fol
that party unless it acquiesces in oul
work. If it does not accept these
reconstruction acts, there can be nc
policy but that of resistance, and 8
renewal of the war. They declare
these reconstruction acts to be un.
constitutional and void Being void
nobody is bound to regard them
they have no authority over any
one to coerce or to punish, and may
be resisted by any one with impu
nifty. That may not be the language
OF this resolution, but i is the sub
stance and meaning of it. And in
consequence of this it received the
endorsement and the appre baton O.
the hundreds of rebels who were ir
that Convention from the South !:
men who organized the rebel gov
ernment; men who organized anc
led the rebel armies in battle This,
then, is the issue-a continuance 0,
the war, renewal of the rebellion
because it is either that or it is sub
mission and acquiescence to wha
has been done.
But Mr.. President we are not lef
to groupe for the meaning of this
Convention. We are not left even to
seek for it by inference. We have
the letter of Gen. Francis P. Blair,
written I believe less than a week
age, and this letter has been indorsec
by that Convention this afternoon
by his nomination as their candidate
for Vice President. 1t is as mucl
a part Of their platform as if it was
incorporated in it, for the ink was
hardly dry before it was indors ed
by his nomination. I repeat, sir