o favour the
preservation of the Union, and thousands of young men irrespective of
party had enlisted for the suppression of armed rebellion. Moreover, a
union of parties at such a critical moment, it was argued, would be
more helpful in discouraging the South than victory on the
battlefield. Accordingly the Republican State Committee proposed to
the Democrats early in August that in the election to occur on
November 4 a single ticket be nominated, fairly representative of all
parties upon a simple war platform.

About Dean Richmond, chairman of the Democratic State Committee, still
clustered Peter Cagger, William B. Ludlow, Sanford E. Church, and
other Soft leaders, with Horatio Seymour substantially in control.
These men had not participated in the Union Square meeting on April
20, nor had their sentiments been voiced since the fall of Fort
Sumter; but it was well known that their views did not coincide with
those of Daniel S. Dickinson, John A. Dix, James T. Brady, Greene C.
Bronson, and other leaders of the Hards. Richmond's reply, therefore,
was not disappointing. He admitted the wisdom of filling public
offices with pure and able men who commanded the confidence of the
people, and suggested, with a play of sarcasm, that if such an example
were set in filling Federal offices, it would probably be followed in
the selection of State officers. But the politics of men in office, he
continued, was of little importance compared to sound principles.
Democrats would unite with all citizens opposed to any war and equally
to any peace which is based upon the idea of the separation of these
States, and who regard it the duty of the Federal government at all
times to hold out terms of peace and accommodation to the dissevered
States.

"Our political system," he continued, "was founded in compromise, and
it can never be dishonourable in any Administration to seek to restore
it by the same means. Above all, they repel the idea that there exists
between the two sections of the Union such an incompatibility of
institutions as to give rise to an irrepressible conflict between
them, which can only terminate in the subjugation of one or the other.
Repelling the doctrine that any State can rightfully secede from the
Union, they hold next in abhorrence that aggressive and fanatical
sectional policy which has so largely contributed to the present
danger of the country. They propose, therefore, to invite to union
with them all citizen