The Continental Monthly, Vol 6, No 5, November 1864: Devoted To Literature And National PolicyVarious
History
The Continental Monthly, Vol 6, No 5, November 1864: Devoted To Literature And National Policy
Various
Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- 19th century -- Periodicals
Indeed, it is simply the truth to declare that the general impression on
the first publication of it confirmed the view we have taken, and that
even among the supporters of the convention there were many who
proclaimed their confident expectation that General McClellan, if he
should accept the nomination, would disregard the platform, and stake
his chances on his own more warlike record. We will not stop to consider
in this place whether that expectation has been fulfilled. It suffices
for our present purpose to remind our readers that the great doctrine of
the Democratic party of former days was expressed in the motto,
'Principles, not men;' and that the rigid discipline of the party has
always required the nominee to be the mere representative of the
platform--its other self, so to speak: as witness the case of Buchanan,
who declared himself, following the approved formulas of his party, no
longer James Buchanan, but the Cincinnati Platform. It ought also to be
borne in mind, that General McClellan's letter of acceptance does not,
in terms, repudiate the platform, and is not necessarily inconsistent
with it.
The first one of the six resolutions that constitute the Chicago
Platform, has the sound of true doctrine. 'Unswerving fidelity to the
Union under the Constitution,' is the duty of every citizen, and has
always been the proud war-cry of every party; and they who swerve from
it are subject not simply to our individual censure, but to the sanction
of our supreme law. The just complaint against this platform is, that,
while thus proclaiming good doctrine, it overlooks the departure
therefrom of a large portion of the people, misled by wicked men. When
we look at the other resolutions, the first one seems all 'sound and
fury, signifying nothing.'
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