Year: 1863

above; mean nearly horizontal with the cover.


THE KENTUCKY PLATFORM.


The importance of the position which, in the evenly
balanced state Of parties the delegation from Kentucky
likely to hold in the next House of Representatives
gives interest to the political complexion of the members
elect from that State who with the exception of Gen
Green Clay Smith, elected from the CovingtOn district
and perhaps single other member, belong to what is
called the Union Democracy" As we have elsewhere
explained, the position of the Union Democracy Of
Kentucky is substantially identical with that of the North
ern Democrats who represented by Governor Sey
mour, of New York. Some misapprehsnsOn to the
views of the Kentucky Union Democracy" has doubtless
arisen from what purports to be speech made by Gen.
Bramete, their candidate for Governor, reported
Republican paper of Cncnnat. The accuracy of that
report was Immediately dscredted by ten Brame.te
who n Letter under date OF last July 3d. addressed to
the journal n which this incorrect version OF his remarks
originally appeared thus restated his position and that OF
the party he represented:


81 made to say in reference to the war policy of
the Administration: While Kentucky expressed no opn-
ons either dissenting from approving these measures
&c At Carlisle, and In ev0ry speech made by me else
where stated with all the point and dstnctness could,
that the Union Democracy Of Kentucky condemned, IN
the strongest erms all the radical measures OF the war
policy Of the Administration and were pledged to use all
peaceful and legitimate to correct them that they
held the Government to be right and the best
in the world and that it should not be overthrown because
of any obnoxious policy OF Admnisfra-
ton That they hold that there is marked distinction
between Administration of the Government and the
Government itself The is transient-of short dura-
ton, and may be all wrong; the other formed to
endure forever" and is all right


Il have said in every speech, without exception, and
have been particular do that gave my full and
to the platform Of the Union Democracy
adopted at Louisville in convention assembled on the 18th
| of March last.


mind that if failed to correct these evils through the
medium Of the baaot box, which uncertain in our
present condition. we would sweep away emancipation
confscaon negro regiments and all other like measures
by carrying out second resolution by crushing the
present causeless and wicked rebellion and restoring
the National authority all the revolted States That
crushing the rebellion would end the and sweep away
all measures; that this is certain remedy that
crushing the rebellion would restore the Constitution
its full vital action s the States and Territories, and
thus put end to all measures and war policies
i " Again am made to say, reference to the Pres
dents emancpa proclamation; All Territories
excepted where it could not be used to effect useful
purpose in suppessng the rebelhon and for my part
would Say, if emancipation will effect any thing down
there 60 ahead Neither the words nor the thoughts
were ever mine. have never believed any useful pur
pose could be effected by it, The contrary, evil aud
only evil; and far from saying go ahead, have
insisted earnestly upon reversal Of all such
in conflict with the Constitution and tending only to evil
And this with all other radical stand with the
Democracy pledged to all peaceful and legitimate
means to correct As the omissions and which
have herein corrected would subject me to the charge of
making one speech Inconsistent with every other of my
platform and my whole life, request you to give this
| place 10 your next issue"


The following letter of the Hon BRUTUs j. CLAY, the
member elect from the district lately Represented by Mr.
Crttenden, in accepting the nomination rendered to him
by the Union Convention in the Seventh Congressional dis
rct, sufficiently sscertans the political views of the
" Union Democracy"


To the Voters Of The 7h Congressional District.


In accepting the nomination by the Union Convention
candidate for Congress in the Ashland district place Of
the lamented Mr.. Crtenden, it may be proper that
should make short statement Of my political principles in
| regard to the present crisis.


am and always have been for the preservation Of the
Constitution and the Union and for the vigorous prosecu
ton Of the to subdue the rebellion which threatens
their overthrow If elected will vote for the necessary
to carry the to the extent Of the national
power and resources To my mind it would be far wiser
at to acknowledge the Of the rebellion ard
make treaty for separation than to insure its triumph
and the degradation Of the loyal States by refusing vote
the Of sustaining the military strength Of hs nation


At the came time opposed to the policy Of the Ad-
minsraton to the abolition Of slavery and the enstng
Of slaves soldiers, and while in the Stale Legislature
voted for the various resolutions which passed
demnng those measures


But do not regard revolution or secession or subms
son to the rebellion the remedies for that evil policy
they being evils incomparaby greater The remedi
IN the Union, and under the Constitution and laws,
through The Legislatures and Judicial tribunals. Should
the Union be restored it would be for the courts of the
slave States to decide upon the legal effects OF the Presi
dents proclamation Of emancipation.


Until the Union shall be restored the rebels while de-
predsng upon the Commerce Of the loyal citizens on the
ocean and upon the property the citizens of Kentucky
Missouri and other loyal States in their predatory raids
cannot ghtuy complain that their property in slaves


lot respected more than other property by the armies of


the Union am not and have never been in favor of eman
cipation, either gradual immediate, or compensated
member of the Upion Conyentiop whi.h as.sno
bled in Louisve IN March last and voted for tb lat
form of principles they adopted aud intend so far . thv
apply to be guided by them, should be honored with
seat in Congress. w


should hail with joy any disposition manifested bv hs
people m toe reoeou states or any Of them to return


good faith 10 their lawful allegiance and in that event
would support all to facilitate the resumption of
all their rights ard privileges under the Constitution


In the short period before the election will be mpos
sble for TO visit the various counties 10 the district
e. but few of the voters but If time allowed ii would
afford me pleasure to defend and sustain my position be.
fore you public discussion As this cannot take place


thought it better that you should fully fairly under
stand my principles than the argument and by
/ which they are sustained,


July %. 1868. BRUTUs j. CLAY.