Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-08-31

and the paramount authority Of the Con-
stitution and laws OF the United Stst03
aud that, laying aside all differences 0po<
litical opinions, we pledge ourseivo a
Union uen, animated by , common tenti-
ment, and aiming It q common object to
do everything In our power to aid the Gov
eminent, In quelling by force Of arms the
rebellion now raging against its authority,
and in bringing to the punishment due TO
their crimes the rebels and traitors arrayed
against 1t.
Resoired, That we approve the deter.
minat.on OF the Government Of the United
States not to compromise with rebels, or
to offer them any terms OF peace, except
such as may be based upon an uncondi-
tional surrender Of their hostility and re-
turn TO their just allegiance TO the Consti-
tuition and laws OF the United States; and
that We call upon the Government to main
tain this position and TO prosecute the war
with the utmost possible vigor to the COM
plete suppression OF the rebellion, In full
reliance upon the self-sacrifcing patriot
ism, the heroic valor, and the undying
devotion Of the American people to the
country and its free institutions.
DEMOCRATIC RESOLUTION.
Rssolred, That this convention does ex-
plicitly declare. as the sense OF the Ameri-
can people, that after four years OF failure
to restore the Union by experiment OF war,
during which, under the pretense OF q
military necessity or war-power higher
than the Constitution. the Constitution
itself has been dsregaried In every part,
aud public liberty and private right alike
mi hn oata rial nal
of the country essentially impaired justice,
humanity, liberty, and the public welfare
demapd that immediate efforts be made for
q cessation OF hostilities, with view to
the ultimate convention OF the States, or
other peaceable means, To the end that, ut
the earliest practicable moment peace may
De restored on the basis OF the Federal
Union OF the States.
Horace Greeley. Democratic candidate
for President in 1872, says Of this action
of the Democratic convention in 1854
Amer Con-, Vol. II, p. 66s1:
when the platform was read next
morning by the cooler millions throughout
the land, whose blood had not been fcyered
BY the harangues OF the Sons OF Liberty,
IL was very widely felt by Democrats, that
the convention had made an enormous aud
probably fatal mistake: while those sup.
porters OF Mr.. Lincoln who few weeks
earlier, had scarcely hoped for success,
and, even the day before. had regarded the
issue Is exceedingly doubtful. laid down
their morning papers In Joyful confidence
| tina, their triumph was secure. 81 stupcn'
deus, 81 amazing Il political bluuder, had
4 L . la-t mt a
/ year. IL was IN VAIN tha'
! Gen. MsClelias attempted 10 stem Oh,
| swelling tide. 80 Sud,lcnly evoked, nv q
| letter of acceptance which WAS IN eject d
r,pudttsioH al he platform Ich'r,rH he ida
Just been pilced."
If we had the references At hand, il
would be easy 10 show that many Dem,
ocratic State conventions were even mon
vehement in their denunciation OF thu
war, than was the national convention
above quoted.
Those who wish TO see how anxiou.
the Democratic party was TO crush The
rebellion, should read Mr. Greeley's &c
count Of the draft riots in New York
the action Of Democrats concerning th'
draft. and the Democratic press on th,
draft Amer. Con-, vol II, PIP. 50l-501..
] All this occurred at time when mer
were absolutely needed TO carry on thu
war 10 9 surcessful termination.
II further evidence were needed, I
could have been found IN Mr.. Wilbur
audience. There were many Democrat
I there who were notorious for their oppo
si,ion to the war, during the entire pertoi
4 of its duration. That they have nov
\ acquiesced in its result, does not entiti'
| them to claim credit FOR what II accom-
plished. - $500 -
4 Fact OF the case is, the Democratic par
ty has, as usual, come up to the Repubii
can platform of twenty years ago. IL il
always twenty years behind US IN gooc
works. and always sees too late the posi-
ton it should have taken, and seeing i
thus tLEo4gh glass dArk ly, it really imag
ines it can deceive people by claiming Il
have done what II should have done. Thi
is fully illustrated in Maine by the cours
OF the Argus and other Democratic paper
who now demand that the prohibition,
law shall be enforced, after twenty year.
,of hostile opposition to the same.