Year: 1864

GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTIONAL
cannot forecast the resolutions and action |
of this convention, but can say that every
member of it loves the Union, desires
perco and will uphold constitutional free
dom. While the resolutions aud action of
this convention are ofthe most Importance,
there are reasons why the Dcmocratict
party should be restored to power, and


they are great reas ons The Democratic
party will restore the Union, because it


longs for its restoration it will bring
peace, because it loves peace it will bring
back liberty to our land, because it loves


liberty it will put down despo.i,m because
it hates the 'iguoble tyranny VIII ch now
degrades the American people Four
years ago Il convention met in this city,
when our country was peaceful, prosper.
Gus aud united. Its delegates did not
mean to destroy our government, to over
throw us with debt, or to drench our land
with blood, but they were animated 10y IN


tolerance OF the spirit Of our institution,
the character of our people, and the con-
dition of our land. They thought they
might safely indulge their passions and
concluded to do SO. They would not heed
the warnings of our fathers, and they did
not consider that NEEDING begetS strife.
Their passions have wrought out their hat


ural results. They were impelled to spurn
all measures of compromise. Step By step
they have marched on TO results, which at
the onset, they would have shruuk with
horror from and even now, when war
has desoated our land, has laid its heavy
burdens upon labor, aud when bankruptcy
and ruin overhangs Us, they will no; have
the Union restored except upon condition
unknown to ou: Constitution. They will
not let the shedding of blood cease even
for little time, to see if Christian charity
or the wisdom of craftsmanship may not
work out method to save our country
Nay, more than this, they will not listen
TO a proposal for peace which does not
offer that which this government has no
right to ask. This administration cannot
now have this Union if ii would 1t has,
by its roclamatoGs, by vindictive legis-
lation, and by displays of hate and pas.
sion, placed obstacles in its own pathway
which it cannot overcome. 1t has ham
pered its own freedom Of action By uncon


stitutionalities. 1t cannot be said that the
failure Of its policy is due to the want oi
courage and devotion on the part Of our
armies. Never in the history of the world
have soldiers given up their lives more
freely than have those Of the armies which
have battled for the flag Of our Union in
the southern states. The world will hold
that they have done all that arms can do,
and had wise craftsmanship secured the
fruits of their victories, to-day there would
have been peace in our land. But while
our soldiers have desperately struggled to
to carry our banners south to the Gulf of
Mexico even now the government declares,
in the edict of a general, that rebellion
discomfort has worked northward to the
shores of the great lakes, The guaran-
teed rights of the people tie bear arms has
been trampled under foot up to the very
BORDERS OF Canada, so that American SER


vitudo is put in bold contrast with British
liberty This administration thus declares
TO the world that it has no faith in the
people Of the states whose votes placed it in
+ power. 1t also admits by such an ediot
that these people have no faith in this
administration. While those in power,
without remurse, sacrifice the blood and