Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1868-07-24
DEMOCRACY.
SENATOR MORTON ON THE NEW York
PLATFORM AND NOMINATIONS.

commented on by all Republicans az
striking the keynote Of the present cam.
palgn. II was, in full, as follows:
Mr.. M0rton--I do not rise so much TO
discuss the various propositions relative
10 counting the electoral vote, as TO say
that am for that offered by the Senator
from Vermont, believing that II is more
specific and direct than the other two.
But perhaps any one Of them would an.
swer the purpose | desire, however, TO
say one word in regard 70 the importance
of this measure. We have been noting
the proceedings of Convention held in
the city OF New York, which has but just
adjourned. / have read tho resolutions
adopted by that Cohvention--the platform
of principles II has laid down, and upon
which its candidates have been placed,
and i 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 these candidates. General
Grant, in his letter of acceptance said
z" Let lis 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
substance, might say, perhaps, in direct
terms, that the reconstruction Of these
States under the several reconstruction
acts of Congress, shall not be permitted
to stand, but shall be overturned by mill
tary force if they get the power. They
have announced that there shall be no
peace in this country that there shall be
no settlement of our troubles except upon
the condition of the triumph of those who
have been In rebellion. This platform
and these nominations are q declaration
OF the renewal of the rebellion. Let me
call your attention TO part of the eighth
resolution, in regard to this very question.
In speaking of the reconstruction of the
States they go on to say that the power
to regulate suffrage exists with each State,
making no difference between loyal States
that have been Mt peace, and States that
have been in rebellion, putting them all
upon the same footing; and "that any at
tempt by Congress on any pretext what
ever"-that is upon the pretext of the re-
bcllion, If you please" to deprive any
State of this right, or interfere with its
exercise, is flagraut usurpation of power
and II sanctioned by the people will sub
vert our form of government" They de-
clare that the interference of Congress
with suffrage in the States that have been
in rebellion, though that interference may
be absolutely necessary, rs we have found
1t to be TO the reconstruction of the States,
IS unconstitutional, and that no justifca-
ton can be found for it, and that it will
subvert our form of government
This Convention has called upon the
rebels ofthe South to regard these govern
monts organized by authority of the acts
OF Congress by the people Of those States
rs usurpation, unconstitutional, and void
and has thereby invited them again to in
surrection and rebellion. That is what
that resolution means. There is where
the Democratic party has placed itself and
its candidate-that there shall be no ac-
quiescence in the action of Congress, and
that continued resistance is and shall be
their policy. They have replied to Gen.
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. If it docs not accept these re-
construction acts, there can be no policy
but that ofrcsistance and a renewal of the
war. They declare these reconstruction
acts to be unconstitutional and void. Be-
ing void nobody Is bound to regard them.
they have no authority over any one to
coorce or to punish, and may be resisted
by any ono with impunity. That is not
the language of this resolution, but it is
the substance and meaning of it, and in
consequence of this received the indorse-
ment and the appreciation OF the hundreds
OF rebels who were in that Convention
from the South-mcn who organized tho
rebel Government and organized and led
the rebel armies in battle. This, then, is
the issue. A continuance of the war, q
renewal of the rebellion, because it is
either That or IL Is submission and acuuies-
cence to what has been done.
But, Mr.. President, wo arc not left To
grope for the meaning of this Convention.
| We are not left even to seek for it by in
ference. We have the letter ofGen Frank
L. Blair, written, believe, less than ono
week ago, and that letter has been in-
dorsod by that Convention this afternoon
by his nomination as their candidate for
the Vice'Presidcncy. 1t is as much part
OF their platform as If 1t was incorporated
in 1t, for the ink was hardly dry before il
was indorsed by his nomination. l re.
peat, sir, this lettor Is part Of the Demo.
cratic platform. Gen. Blair, whatever you
may say of him, is bold, outspokon man
| ana he spoke tho sentiment of that Con
ventlon, lie says; Upon these senti
ments l want to stand before the Conven
tion,' and upon these sentiments ho was
nominated. Therefore, say that the Ian
guage of the Democratic Convention a
| New York TO the whole country is war
resistance by force of arms to Congress
sional legislation; the overthrow by fore,
OF arms of the governments that have beer
erected in the rebel States under the law
enacted by Congress; the continuance o
TINS rebellion, continuance of this struggl,
IN somewhat different form, but still tn,
same struggle, contending for the sam,
principles, IL is now announced formally
not AZ Montgomery, not at Richmond bui
at Washington.
The country need not be at loss to un
dorstand the character of the contest upon
which We are entering. 1t is not one OF
peace and acquiescence, of consolidation
whereby the ravages of war may be re,
paired. But 1t is new declaration OF
war, q now announcement of the rebellion
under somewhat different circumstances
but under circumstances formidable, dan,
gerous and solemn. Let the country look
the struggle in the face. Gen. Blair has
SAID truly that all that is said about green
backs and bonds and questions of finance
is mere nonsense The great issue is the
| question of oVerturning the new State
governments by force, the restoration OF
the rebels, or, as they call it, the white
mems government in those States, and al
the rest is letcher and prunellas We owe
debt of gratitude to Gen. Blair for hii
frankness. There need be no deception
practiced now, and there can be none
There can be no other issue presented sub
stantially to us, but that of the futur,
peace of the country. If Seymour shal
be elected on that platform, he stand
| pledged To use tho army of the Unitet
States for tho purpose of oyerturning tn
governments that have been establishe,
in the South by the whole people
and by that army to place tho powe
back again into the hands Of the rebel
that We're with him in that COnven
ton, They have given to him their coun
sci. They have Endorsed Mr. Seymou
and the Convention, and all have indorse,
Gen, Francis T., Blair.
know that we shall be told in tn
Northwest that they intend to have th
same currency for the Government an,
the people, Tor tho bondholder and tn
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