Year: 1864

From nc N,r FORK Daily ysus, CP. O. D. WOODS peace


The columns Of this paper bear witness that we
have labored to harmonic the Democratic party.
Whatever concession we could make that did not
involve a sacrifice OF the immutablc principle to
which this journal IS dedicated, we have granted.
Our most tCrycut desire was to see consummatcd
the unity and concord of the Democracy in this
Presidential campaign. Believing that the life
of Republicanism depended upon this issue, we
made every effort to conciliate the conflicting
sentiments that were arrayed in opposition to the
present Administration; for we believed that the
defeat Of Mr. Lincoln would remove the chief
obstacle to peace.


But above all the claims Of eXpedcncy, the
principle to which we are irreyUcaby bound
sways absolutely, and demands our fidelity
beyond all other considerations. We have ma
turcd and strengthened the peace sentiment from
its germ. We have been faithful to it throughout
the ordeal il has passed, an ordeal that it could
not have survived II within its own essence it had
not possessed the elements of eternal life, the
truth that may be hidden but not destroyed.


To that principle that is the guide of our pOu-
cal action throughout this crisis, and that com
mands the journal we have devoted to its Interests
we are linked by n bond that cannot be loOsened
As we stood by it s,eadfasty when to do so was
10 court persecution and to invite oppression we
shall surely not desert it now, in the day of its
strength, when, in fact, 1t rules the political
situation.


The suflrages of the peace men are essential to
the triumph of the Democracy; but the peace
men cannot give their sullrHgCs in violation of
their principles. To be true, therefore, to the
Democracy, we must insist that its principle be
honestly represented in this canvass and fairly
put at issue aL the polls.


We welcomed, in the platform presented by
the Chicago Convention TO ne Democracy, the
proposition for an immediate CesSgtiOn Of hOStli-
ties and a Convention of all the States To cease
fighting and to appeal to reason anC calm discus
sion of the questions in dispute that is precisely
the plan Of action that we have advocated from
the commencement Of hostilitics.


IL is fair to suppose that the Sovereign States,
solemnly assembled in Convention, would cxer-
else such Judgment and cOnciliatOry attributes as
are due TO the spirit of enlightenment and Chris
tianity, and would use their best endCaVOrs TO
free our political system from It's impertections
that it might accord, so far as possible with the
interests of all, and be offensive to none.


The Chicago Platform promises with its
triumph an immediate ces SatOn Othostties, and
advocates plan OF reconciliation that every
peace man can Conscientiousy ndorse. We az
Cepted it, and with IL the candidates nominated
upon the platform.


But the candidate and the PLATFORM cannot erist
apart. The platform is the soul--the candidlte
Is the body. The one may change, decay, perish,
the other is immutable and eternal for il is prin
ciple. The two are therefore inseparable in their
relative positions, for if the mau renounce the
principle, he ceased 10 DC candidate OF the party
that nominated him.


George b. Mcclellan was nominated upon
platform that promises an immediate cessation
of hostilties and Convention Of all the States.
Does he stand UY0H that PLATFORM T.. dtyt lie does
not. lie has yeHOuHccd the platform IN his ltter
accepting The nomination. II is as if the bride
groom should accept the brides property, but not
her person. bond like that is null and void.
The peace party will not consent 10 have their
principle betrayed, and then do homage to the
bttrayer


They demand all that is nominated in the bond.
General Mcclellan having rejected the PROPOSE
tion for a cessation of hosuties and Convention
fall the States, declined the Chicago nomination
and stands before the people self-Rominated on a
platform Of his own creation. The Democracy
mast Scck a candidate iChO WILL stand upon the
platform, for they cannot consistently support one
tchO is IN collision trih the CORUciltiOp that ten
dered him the nomination.


Ii the platform accOrds not with the nominees
convictions of the right, a due respect for the
opinions of the assembage that unanimously
adopted it requires that he should give back to
the Convention the standard Of the Democracy.
The Democratic National Contention is not dis
SOlrcd. IL is ready 10 convene at the call of its
Executive Committee, and If General Mcclellan
cannot abide by the resolutions through which
the principles of the party have been enunciatcd,
let the Convention reasonable and either remodel
their platform to suit their nominee, or nominate
q candidate that will suit the platform.