also overlook the crime. It supposed the people ready to
strike hands with rebellion and elevate the authors of rebellion to
power again.

Perhaps the difference between the two conventions may be concisely
stated thus: The Chicago Convention was for peace first, and Union
afterward; the Baltimore Convention for Union first, then peace. Let us
see.

THE CHICAGO PLATFORM.

We suppose that no one will think us wanting in fairness when we
characterize the Chicago Platform as one of peace.[4] If there is any
reproach in the term, it surely is not the fault of those who take men
to mean what they say.

[Footnote 4: It is presumed that every one is familiar with the two
platforms, as they are so easily obtained, and it is, therefore, not
deemed necessary to encumber the pages of the Magazine with inserting
them in full.]

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 o