Year: 1864

that the plan of the democratic platform, for
a restoration of the Union, by Convention
OF States, was not feasible, for the reason that
tho South would not listen to any nego,a-
tions that did not recognize the uncondition
al independence Of the Confederate States
Democratic contend that reunion is possible
that if the olive branch is extended TO the
South, 1t will be accepted and Il suspension
Of hostlities, under an armistice, will open
the way for negotiation that will restore the
now distracted States once more 10 peace
and amity, and cement Union by interest
and affection. While war is eternal separation
and ruinous to the liberties, lives and pro-
perty Of both sections Of the country.
In supper, Of the theory Of the Democrat
10 party, we now have an assurance from the
South, in letter from no less \ parsonage
than Alexander H. Stevens, Vice President
OF the Confederate States, that a Convention
Of States is not Objectionable. and th.. the
action of the Chicago Convention throws a
ray Of light that may prove the dawn Of the
coming day Of peace.


"He says that no pei son more ardenly desires
the end of the war than he does, but il is not in
his power nor in theirs to bring this about. He
says the recognition OF the sovereignty of the
States is the only solution of the trouble The
idea of maintaining the old Union, or any Union.
by force, is preposterous The subjugaton of
the South by the North would involve the de-
structlon OF the Constitution and tho overthrow
Of their liberties as we'll as ours. Any peace
growing out OLA Union Of States, established by
force, would be as ruiIous to them as to u.s.
The action Of the Chicago Convention as far as
its platform OF principles goes, presents ray of
light which. under Providence, may prove the
dawn OF day to this long, cheerless night To a
Convention Of States for the adjustment Of our
difhcuties have no objection"


The declarations Of the Stephens letter
should etfectuay silence those who assert
that the South will listen to no terms but Of
her own dictstion. Until negotiations are
| entered upon, it will be impossible to know
what terms can be reached. AS long as no
| other conditions are offered the South. but
an unconditional surrender Of their armies.
and of the institution of slavery, and to throw
themselves at the feet Of our Federal author.
'ties, and sue for mercy and forgiveness, it is
ain that we will have neither peace or
Union.


If the Constitution i. TO be main tanned
and Union restored, it can only be accom-.
pshed by recognition Of the same sover,
eighty in the States that first gave us Uni-
on aud a Constitution. We cannot deal
with the Southern people AS distinct indvid.
uals,- and designate some for punishment
and others for pardon-but as States, sover,
eigns, who are the peers Of other States and
their equals in all that appertains to the dig
nifty and power OF a common partnership


In the proposal Of the Chicago Plat
form, for Convention Of States, to re,unite
the discovered Union, we have the re.asssr.
tion of the time honorcd Democratic princ
pie Of State rights, s,--the base and foundation
stone Of our system Of Government And
because the States ght doctrine is unpopu-
lar with AboIitionlsts - and because the
whole party is contaminated with the old
Fedora party idea, of \ strong centralized
Government, it is that the proposition for a
Convention of States is secuted by them.


The whole course of Mr.. Lincolns alni.
nlstration has been in ansagonsm to the
rights Of the several States. He has en-,
croached step by step upon their reserved
powers, and SO educated the sentiment Of
his party. that in their estimation State au,
thority has no higher dignity than that of n
county or municipality. The aim has been
to cultivate contempt for State authority,
and centraze in the Federal head powers
denied by the Constitution, and viola;ive of
the plan and theory Of our Government.
In Mr.. Lincolns edct TO whom it may
concern" in which he notified the Southern
States that they could only return to the
Union upon the condition of aboshng
slavery, he reached a eliminating point in his
disregard for the rights of the States, aud
showed himself false TO the Constitution
and laws Of his country, with the heart and
disposition to be a usurper and DICTATOR
and that he will, in the fullness Of time, if
continued in the Presidency, put bis heel
upon the neck Of every State, be it situated
| North OF South.


In asserting right, as President, to die.
tate the conditions on which the Southern
States may return to the Union he assumes
the prerogatve OF debating to all the
States OF the Union, in respect to their local
| institutions and laws.


The institution Of slavery may not be-
popular with Northern people. and hence
the Presidential pronunciamento may not
have alarmed the public mind. But it is
not the particular system or institution aim
ed at, that is to be considered, it is the
assertion of an authority on the part of the
| President, that is derived from neither Con
stituton or laws, but is the sole emsnation
of his individual will, a dangerous and tyran.
nics assumption of power-and one which
if not rebuked by his displacement from
office, will result disas.rously to our system
OF Government, and convert the model Rel
public, with its boasted free institutions,
into dsspotism, where the edcts of one
man will be the law of the nation.


~ Although Fremont has withdrawn