New York City is shouting for McClellan, and there is a
forced effort elsewhere to get a favorable response to the almost traitorous
proceeding at Chicago. As usual, some timid Union men are alarmed, and there
are some, like Raymond, Chairman of the National Committee, who have no fixed
and reliable principles to inspire confidence, who falter, and another set,
like Greeley, who have an uneasy, lingering hope that they can yet have an
opportunity to make a new candidate. But this will soon be over. The Chicago
platform is unpatriotic, almost treasonable to the Union. The issue is made up.
It is whether a war shall be made against Lincoln to get peace with Jeff Davis.
Those who met at Chicago prefer hostility to Lincoln rather than to Davis. Such
is extreme partisanism.
We have to-day word that Atlanta is in our possession, but
we have yet no particulars. It has been a hard, long struggle, continued
through weary months. This intelligence will not be gratifying to the zealous
partisans who have just committed the mistake of sending out a peace platform,
and declared the war a failure. It is a melancholy and sorrowful reflection
that there are among us so many who so give way to party as not to rejoice in
the success of the Union arms. They feel a conscious guilt, and affect not to
be dejected, but discomfort is in their countenances, deportment, and tone.
While the true Unionists are cheerful and joyous, greeting all whom they meet
over the recent news, the Rebel sympathizers shun company and are dolorous. This
is the demon of party, — the days of its worst form, — a terrible spirit, which
in its excess leads men to rejoice in the calamities of their country and to
mourn its triumphs. Strange, and wayward, and unaccountable are men. While the
facts are as I have stated, I cannot think these men are destitute of love of
country; but they permit party prejudices and party antagonisms to absorb their
better natures. The leaders want power. All men crave it. Few, comparatively,
expect to attain high position, but each hopes to be benefited within a certain
circle which limits, perhaps, his present ambition. There is fatuity in
nominating a general and warrior in time of war on a peace platform.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 2: April 1, 1864 – December
31, 1866, p. 135-6
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