Year: 1864

anpounce our unshaken preference fo


your reelection to the Presidency siI
| 1854. Is = 80
| The hope aud lifs Of the Americar


people are now centred in the purpose ane


the effort Of the Government TO crush ths
rebellion. In more than Two years b
struggle We have discovered that che re.
bellion is continued for an objsct more
important than that of redressing eyen a
reasonable wrong. II Is waged for the
establishment of dogma and the recog.
nition of barbarian. Il is carried on
against the Government for its absolute
destruction. In such struggle there
can be no compromise devised to offer or
consider for acceptance. One or the other
of the contending parties must triumph.
Justice must be vindicated BY the full
recognition and operation of the Govern
ment in the States, or The claims of the
traitors will be maintained. this mapnifi
cent structure of our Government DESTROY
ed, and the rights of men forever ignored.
10 make change in the administration,
until its authority has been fully estab-
lished in the revolted States, would be 70
give the enimies Of the Government
abroad the pretext for asserting that the
Government had failed at home.


To change the policy now in operation
to crush the rebellion and restore the
land to peace, would be to afford the trait
ors In arms time to gather new strength,
II not for immediate victory, at least for
ultimate success in their efforts perma-
Dently to dissolve the Union.


Having firm faith in the logic and
reason OF these positions, We are frank in
our endeavors thus to urge on you the
acceptance OF reelection to the Presi.
dency. We. believe that the policy Of
your administration rendered us victo-
ricus at our last election, and we now in
sist that that policy, If represented By
yourself In all the States. would give he
victory to the Government in November,
and thus forever put an end 10 all hone
of the success of treason.


We do not make this communication
at this time to elicit from you any ex-
pressions Of opinion on this subject. Hay-
ing confidence in your patriotism, We be-
lieve that you will abide the decision of
the friends Of the Union, and yield con.
sent to any honorable use which they may
deem proper to make of your name, 10
order TO secure the creates. good to the
country and the speedlest success to our
arms. Pennsylvania has always welded
= potent Influence in the politics of the
country. Her preferences have been tan
tamount to the success of the statesman 10
whom she attached herself, and her voice
has never failed to give victory to the
right.


And while We, tile representatives OF
the majority of the masses of the Com
monwealth; thus ayow our confidence and
reliance in your official action and capaci-
sy. we1hsy feel that We are responding TO
the clearly expressed preferences of those
masses, and that Penpsy lysnia wculd hail
your reelection as the omen Of complete
victory to the Government. Expressing
what We feel 10 be the language not onls
of our own constituents. but also of the
people OF all the loyal States. we claim TO
indulge the expectation that you will
yield to the preference which has already
made you the peoples candidate for Pres
deut in 1864.


Hcping. sir, that you may live to see
the full triumph OF your efforts to rescue
your country from rebellion. and enjoy
many years thereafter of its tranquil
peace and prosperity, We remain your
friends and fellow citizens.