the votes except eleven from the State of Missouri, which were cast for General Grant. Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee, was nominated for Vice President.

The platform adopted by this convention was an admirable expression of patriotic sentiment and wisdom. It, of course, forms an important part of the political annals of the times:

THE BALTIMORE PLATFORM OF 1864.

Resolved, That it is the highest duty of every American citizen to maintain against all their enemies the integrity of the Union, and the paramount authority of the Constitution and laws of the United States; and that, laying aside all differences of political opinion, we pledge ourselves as Union men, animated by a common sentiment, and aiming at a common object, to do everything in our power to aid the Government in quelling by force of arms the Rebellion now raging against its authority, and in bringing to the punishment due to their crimes the Rebels and traitors arrayed against it.

Resolved, That we approve the determination of the Government of the United States not to compromise with Rebels, nor to offer any terms of peace except such as may be based upon an "unconditional surrender" of their hostility and a return to their just allegiance to the Constitution and laws of the United States, and that we call upon the Government to maintain this position and to prosecute the war with the utmost possible vigor to the complete suppression of the Rebellion, in full reliance upon the self-sacrifice, the patriotism, the heroic valor, and the undying devotion of the American people to their country and its free institutions.

Resolved, That, as Slavery was the cause, and now constitutes the strength, of this Rebellion, and as it must be always and everywhere hostile to the principles of Republican government, justice and the national safety demand its utter and complete extirpation from the soil of the Republic; and that we uphold and maintain the acts and proclamations by which the Government, in its own defense, has aimed a death-blow at the gigantic evil. We are in favor, furthermore, of such an amendment to the Constitution, to be made by the people in conformity with its provisions, as shall terminate and forever prohibit the existence of Slavery within the limits of the jurisdictlon of the United States.

Resolved, That the thanks of the American people are due to the soldiers and sailors of the Army and Navy, who have periled their lives in defense of

their country, and in vindication of the honor of the flag; that the nation owes to them some permanent recognition of their patriotism and valor, and ample and permanent provision for those of their survivors who have received disabling and honorable wounds in the service of the country; and that the memories of those who have fallen in its defense shall be held in grateful and everlasting remembrance.

Resolved, That we approve and applaud the practical wisdom, the unselfish patriotism, and unswerving fidelity to the Constitution and the principles of American liberty, with which Abraham Lincoln has discharged, under circumstances of unparalleled difficulty, the great duties and responsibilities of the Presidential office; that we approve and indorse, as demanded by the emergency and essential to the preservation of the nation, and as within the Constitution, the measures and acts which he has adopted to defend the nation against its open and secret foes; that we approve especially of the Proclamation of Emancipation, and the employment as Union soldiers of man heretofore held in Slavery; and that we have full confidence in his determination to carry these and all other constitutional measures essential to the salvation of the country into full and complete effect.

Resolved, That we deem it essential to the general welfare that harmony should prevail in the national council, and we regard as worthy of public confidence and official trust those only who cordially indorse the principles proclaimed in these resolutions, and which should characterize the administration of the Government.

Resolved, That the Government owes to all men employed in its armies, without regard to distinction of color, the full protection of the laws of war; and that any violation of these laws or of the usages of civilized nations in the time of war by the Rebels now in arms should be made the subject of full and prompt redress.

Resolved, That the foreign immigration, which in the past has added so much to the wealth and development of resources and increase of power to this nation, the asylum of the oppressed of all nations, should be fostered and encouraged by a liberal and just policy.

Resolved, That we are in favor of the speedy construction of a railroad to the Pacific.

Resolved, That the national faith, pledged for the redemption of the Public Debt, must be kept inviolate; and that for this purpose we recommend economy and rigid responsibility in the public expenditures, and a vigorous and just system of taxation; that it is the duty of every loyal State to sustain the credit and promote the use of the national currency.

Resolved, That we approve the position taken by the Government that the people of the United States never regarded with indifference the attempt of any European power to overthrow by force, or to supplant by fraud, the in

stitutions of any republican government on the western continent, and that they view with extreme jealousy, as menacing to the peace and independence of this our country, the efforts of any such power to obtain new footholds for monarchial governments, sustained by a foreign military force, in near proximity to the United States.

THE CLEVELAND CONVENTION.

There was some dissatisfaction with the administration of President Lincoln on the part of Republicans. These had held a convention at the City of Cleveland on the 31st of May, and had nominated General John C. Fremont for President and General John Cochrane for Vice-President. These gentlemen accepted the nominations, and for a time there was a prospect of a triangular contest. Among the most eminent men who took part in this movement were Wendell Phillips, B. Gratz Brown, (now again in the bolting business,) Frederick Douglas and James Redpath. It was winked at, but not boldly advocated, by Horace Greeley in his newspaper. The practical unanimity with which the Baltimore platform and nominations were received by the masses of the Republican party, however, demonstrated the futility of the Cleveland movement. Montgomery Blair retired from President Lincoln's cabinet, and the Cleveland ticket collapsed.

THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.

The National Democratic Convention assembled at Chicago several weeks after the Republicans had entered upon the active operations of a vigorous campaign. The Union armies were at the

same time carrying on vigorous and successful campaigns. Nevertheless, the Democracy adopted a peace platform. The most noteworthy resolution was the following:

'Resolved, That this convention does explicetly declare, as the sense of the American people, that after four years of failure to restore the Union by the experiment of war, during which, under the pretense of military necessity or war power, higher than the Constitution, the Constitution itself has been disregarded in every part, and public liberty and private right alike trodden down, and the material prosperity of the country essentially impaired, justice, humanity, liberty, and the public welfare demand that immediate efforts be made for a cessation of hostilities, with a view to an ultimate convention of the States, or other peaceful means, to the end that at the earliest practicable moment peace may be restored on the basis of the Federal Union of the States."

Gen. George B. McClellan was nominated as the candidate for President, and George H. Pendleton, of Ohio, for Vice-President.

THE CANVASS.

The canvass was one of great earnestness on the part of the Republicans. Their meetings were everywhere largely attended, but there was little manifestation of excitement. It was clear that a vast majority of the people had firmly resolved to save the republic, and by means of the re-election of President Lincoln. He carried all of the States voting except New Jersey, Delaware and Kentucky. The States of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Arkansas and Tennessee being in rebellion, did not participate in the election. Of the popular votes, Lincoln received 2,216,127 against 1,808,725 for McClellan, being a Republican majority of 407,402 votes.

This crushing political victory, in addition to the recent triumphs of arms, settled the question of the war. It was universally agreed that the re

election of President Lincoln meant the salvation of the republic. Thus the triumph of the Republican party was identical with the triumqh of the national cause. And as a matter of fact, it was only a little more than one month after President Lincoln's second inauguration that the Rebel armies surrendered and the pretended “Confederate" Government gave up the ghost.

THE DEATH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN.

On the 14th of April, 1865, President Lincoln was assassinated, and expired the next morning, only five days after the surrender of the Rebel General Lee at Appomattox. By this fearful crime the nation was thrown from the highest state of enjoyment over the near prospect of peace into the deepest gloom. Had there been wanting evidence of the necessity of the abolition of slavery it would have been found in the possibility of so terrible a crime by one of its defenders. Mr. Lincoln's was

the kindest heart that ever beat," and the "deep damnation of his taking off" would forever place any cause in unmixed condemnation. Upon his death the Presidency devolved upon Vice-President Johnson. It is not to be denied that the situation at this time was one of grave responsibility and difficulty. Perhaps no man could have filled the office without making himself in some respects

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