The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-06-24
Gov. Tilden and the Chicago peace
Resolution" of 1864

The enemies Of the Democratic party
will never tire Of misrepresenting what
they call the "peace-at-any- price" resolu-
ton Of 1864; the failure-of-the
resolution, etc. etc. The resolution did
not call for peace at any price, and did not
say that the war was failure but these
little Republican lies have been told so
often that it is quite likely that there are
some fools who believe them. All the
resolution asked for was convention of all
the states mot Of a part Of them to sec if
the war could not be ended and the union
restored without the loss Of u single state.
That's all there was Of the resolution
but even that was an exceedingly i'm
polite move, for the reason that the war
had to be fought out until one side or the
other surrendered. No other result was then
possible, and it seems to us that all sensi.
bic zen should have taken that view of it.
The resolution was the work of Nallan
digham and his admirers-men sincere and
well meaning, no doubt, but wholly
mistaken on the policy which should be
pursued. The resolution, even with
friendly construction, was wrong but with
an unfriendly one, and the misrepreseuta-
tons made oft toignorant people, it is not
strange that it lost US many thousands of
votes.
An attempt is being made, by papers
unfricndly to the Democratic party, to
fasten the responsibility Of this resolution
upon Gov. Tilden. The Chicago Times
says
The fact that Mr.. $. Tildeu was chairman OF
the platform committee Of The Chicago convention,
In 1854 which put forth the famous peace
PLATFORM" pronouucing the war n failure snd de-
handing an immediate cessation OF hostilities
seems 10 have been strangely forgotten by the
northern politicians.
Mr.. Tilden was not chairman of the
platform committee, and did not indorse
the resolution, but opposed it. He was
member Of the committee, but was not
chairman. The resolution was the work
Of Clement l.. Valladingham, and Gov
Tilden was so far from advocating o.
adopting it that he spoke, before the com
mittee, most earnestly protesting agains
its adoption. The committee was delayeC
somewhat by this speech Of Tilden agains
Valandigham' peace plank, and thi
brought the fact that he fought harO
against it to the attention Of every one i
attendance at the convention, so that thu
fact Of his opposition was notorious at tina
time. This convention nominated Gen
Mcclellan, and Mr.. Tilden was especial
severe in commenting upon the absurdit.
of adopting a peace platform when it wa
known that there would be soldier at tn
head of the ticket. Read the followin
telegram from Mr.. Marble.
New YORK, June 22.-P. III. Smit
Esq Chicago telegram has bee
shown me, Gov. Tilden was not chat
man Of the platform committee OF I'll
Chicago national convention in $50
james Guthrie. OF Kentucky was.
Gov. Tilden opposed, in cOmmi;te
that portion Of the resolution saying, IA
ter foul, years OF failure to restore the u
ION by the experiment Of war" etc.
got it struck out and even refused to ayr
20 the resolution, rs amended, 1t vi
then irregulary restored.
Gov. Tilden, at all stages, refused to
gree to the resolution, and sent a message
me to Gen, Mcclellan advising him to d
card it in his letter Of acceptance Go
Tilden, moreover, made speech, in t
New York delegation against an armistiC
which was briefly reported by me in t
New York World and is correctly cited
the COu'icr-.JOurRul.
was personally present in the n,
York delegation and all meetings of t
committee IN an adjoining room.
(Sigued) MANTON MARBLE