seen since the destruction of Sennacherib by the breath of the Almighty. And still the monster usurper wanted more men for his slaughter-pens. Ever since the usurper, traitor and tyrant had occupied the Presidential chair 6 the Republican party had shouted War to the knife and the knife to the hilt!' Blood had flowed in torrents; and yet the thirst of the old monster was not quenched. His cry was for more blood." Judge Miller of Ohio forcibly if not elegantly said: "There is no real dif ference between a War Democrat and an Abolitionist. They are links of one sausage made out of the same dog." The flames were fed by agitators from Canada, members of the American Knights, who had hatched a conspiracy to set free all the rebel prisoners in Camp Douglas, of whom there were some 8,000. Through the treachery of some of their people the plot was laid bare, and Colonel Sweet, the commandant of the camp, frustrated their designs. The platform adopted by the Convention was as follows: 66 Resolved, That in the future, as in the past, we will adhere with unswerving fidelity to the Union under the Constitution, as the only solid foundation of our strength, security, and happiness as a people, and as a frame-work of government equally conducive to the welfare and prosperity of all the States, both Northern and Southern. "Resolved, That this Convention does explicitly 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 a military necessity of a 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 all the States, or other peaceable means, to the end that, at the earliest practicable moment, peace may be restored on the basis of the federal union of all the States. "Resolved, That the direct interference of the military authority of the United States in the recent elections held in Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, and Delaware, was a shameful violation of the Constitution; and the repetition of such acts in the approaching election will be held as revolutionary, and resisted with all the means and power under our control. "Resolved, That the aim and object of the Democratic party is to preserve the Federal Union and the rights of the States unimpaired; and they hereby declare that they consider the administrative usurpation of extraordinary and dangerous powers not granted by the Constitution, the subversion of the civil by the military law in States not in insurrection, the arbitrary military arrest, imprisonment, trial and sentence of American citizens in States where civil law exists in full force, the suppression of freedom of speech and of the press, the denial of the right of asylum, the open and avowed disregard of State rights, the employment of unusual test-oaths, and the interference with and denial of the people to bear arms, as calculated to prevent the restoration of the Union and the perpetuation of the government deriving its just powers from the consent of the governed. 66 Resolved, That the sympathy of the Democratic party is heartily and earnestly extended to the soldiers of our army and the sailors of our navy, who are and have been in the field and on the sea under the flag of their country; and, in the event of our attaining power, they will receive all the care and protection, regard and kindness, that the brave soldiers of the Republic have so nobly earned." The balloting for nominee for President being proceeded with, McClellan secured, after several ballots, 202 votes against 23 for Seymour. This result being announced, his nomination was made unanimous. George H. Pendleton of Ohio, after some contest, was nominated for VicePresident, in deference to the demands of the "Peace" party. When the particulars of the convention were read next morning Democrats generally saw "the writing on the wall," doubting Republicans no longer doubted, the faithful cried, "The battle is already won." The Democratic Convention had dug its party's grave, and their opponents began to prepare for the funeral. VIII. End of the War-Act of Congress Abolishing Slavery-What should be done with the lately Rebellious States?-Plans for Reconstruction-Difficulties of the Situation-Assassination of President Lincoln-Particulars of the Event-General Gloom throughout the CountryJohnson becomes President-His Views as to the treatment of the Rebels-His first Month in Office-Reconstruction Measures in Louisiana and Arkansas-" Ten per cent Governments "-Action of Congress regarding the Reconstructed States-Johnson's Proclamation of Amnesty and Pardon-The Exemptions-Reconstruction Conventions and their ActionAction of the Legislatures of the lately Rebel States-Arrogance of the Southern LeadersAlarm in Congress and through the North. W ITH the fall of Richmond and the surrender of the Confederate forces the war was brought to an end. The President visited Richmond, and then returned to Washington to take the first steps for the reconstruction of the Southern States that had recently been in rebellion. At President Lincoln's suggestion Congress had passed an Act recommending to the States an amendment to the Constitution abolishing slavery. The passage of this amendment and its adoption by three-fourths of the States settled forever the question as to the validity of the Proclamation of Emancipation. All through the war the question had constantly arisen as to what would be done with the States in rebellion as soon as the war was ended. There had never been a similar state of affairs in any part of the world. In all the countries of the Old World, any civil war that occurred came to an end with the conquering of the rebellious party, or by its victory as, in every instance, there was but a single government with a central power. But the case of the United States was far different. The rights of the States had been matters of jealous consideration ever since the formation of the Union, the general government dealing only with those matters that affected the Union, while all local affairs-such as laws for the collection of debts, rights of property in real estate, transfers thereof, mar |