Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-03-27

7
the last twelve months more eagerly by the Democrats
II To make for Lost time. They openly courtes
by both each striving by their zeal their favour b,
expressing their desire exclude what they cal
slavery from all the territories OF the uDiied States
cd or to be acquired No doubt the Mexican war; and III,
apprehension OF large acquisition OF territory the slave
holding States, has done much produce this state o
things but Of itself il would have been feeble Th,
main motive, then. OF this crusade against ou
domestic insttaon is to be traced the ALL absorbing
interest," which both parties take, carrying the elections
especially tho Presdena Indeed. when we reflect tina
the expenditure OF the Federal Government at all time.
great Is swelled probably the rate OF seventy mil
lion Of dollars annually, and that the influence of its M
uonsse gives great sway not only over its but
tie State elections which gives in addition control over
vast amount OF patronage and the OF the Fedora
patronage with all its emoluments and honor- centre in
the President OF the United States il s surprising
that both parties should take such absorbing in the
Presidential election; acting. both do tho principle
o. turning opponents out OF office and bestowing the hon.
os and cmolurnents ot government their followers,
the reward OF parEan services In such of hings
tits not matter for wonder. that's OF policy well
calculated 10 conciac party like the Aboitionists as
that OF excluding slavery from the Territories should be
eagerly embraced by both parties in the
States when by securing their support each calculates on
winning the rich and gering prize OF the Presidency
In this is 10 be found the motive and object the
crusade against our domestic institution. the part po-
htcsl leaders and their parzans in those States
IL would be great mistake suppose IL is the less
dangerous, because originates mainly mere party con-
alterations, in connection with elections II will on that
account but the more souness indeed should be by
with prompuudc aud unanimity The absorbing over riding
interest," felt by both parties the elections
" tue PRESIDENTIAL would give such impulse 20
forts TO conciate the Aboonists at our expense n W..
should look with apparent indifference as would enlist
IN their favor the large portion of the
States estimated ienths of the whole which
as yet well affected towards and utterly cn the
small but Intelligent class which, YET perfectly sound
The former would conclude, in that case that
were ready 10 yield and surrender domestic
~ ndoicnsbc; and that the ehodng States might
carry their determination full effect without hazard IN
the Constitution the Union or even disturbing the bar
ony ana peace OF the country Indeed such has already
been that thcs have
expressed even the floor Congress But n we should
act as we ought-t we, BY our prompttude energy aod
unanmy prove that stand roody defend our rights
and 10 maintain perfect equality as me ber, of the
unon be the conquenees what they may that the I'M
mediate and necessary effect OF counting Abolition yote m
eTt parry, would De to lose ours, very different result
would certainly follow. That large portion of tb.
non-slayeholding States, who, although they con
sder slavery evil disposed TO yiolat,
the Constitution, and much less endanRer Its over
throw, snd with II the Union ITSELF would take sides with
us, against our asAilanis; while the sound poou who
are already with would rally the rescue The neces
say effect would be- that the parv leaders and their fol-
lowers who expect 10 receive tie Presidential election by
bo ard OF the Aboons seeing their homes blasted nv
me loss o our votes would drop their coushp ave
the party, reduced to insgncance with scorn The end
would BE- SHOULD we act IN the Indicated the rally
ne" party IN the non-siavehOding States, pow
eiiu than either ot the Old. who this great uuesto,
would be faithful 10 all OF the compromises aud oblga,ops
OF the Constitution, and who by uniting with us woud nm,
hna stop 10 the farther agitation this dangerous
uon such would b, the certain effect of meeting with
prompuiude and uHanimy, deiermn alton of the non
saNchulhg states 10 appropriate all the Territories
own use That has not yet been certain and
the next question Why has not BEEN and what is ,he
cause OF tins apparent indifference reference 10 dan
ger 50 menaeng, 1t not promptly and unedy met on our
part ~ ~
In answering this important question: am happy 10 saw
mat have seen no reason TO attribute this want OF promp
uIude and unanimy any division sentiment or real
nueehee on tue part OF the people OF the slavchodng
States, or their delegates Congress- Ca the contrary rs
lar as my observation extends, there ia one of their
members OF COnstess who has given any indication
wi Inc
mot proViso the at The members from the slayehod
ing States at the last present were
10 explain what really the cause must again recur 10
what has already been stated; the absorbing interest fell in
the elections especially the Presidential and the controlling
influence which party leaders and their followers exercise
over them The great struggle between the parties is which
shall succeed IN eectng candidate in consequence NJ
which, the Presidential election has become the paramount,
question: All others arc held subordinate by the lend
ers and their followers. 1t depends on them TO determine
whether any question shall be admitted into the issue be-
tween the parties ia the Presdonal contest or whether
shall be Partially entirely excluded Whether II shall
DC one OF the other decided entirely in to lis
favorable unayorabe bearing on the contest ,thopt
looking to the higher considerations Of its effects on the
prosperity, the institutions, safety of the country Moth
ing can more strongly illustrate the OF what have as
Serted than the Of the relation 10 the oue
ton which now claims your attention. Although none can
be more intimately connected with the peace and safety
Of the Union, II kept of the between the mar
e because tits seen that the Presidential vote Of New
York, and many others OF the non Sates will
IN al probability depend on the Of the Aboonst;
and that the election Of the President may in like manner
depend the OF those States And nee the load
ers IN them are tolerated by many Of the leaders and their
followers in the sayehod ng States in openy canvassp
Tor the vote OF the Aboionists by acting in unison with
the IN reference 10 question, the decision OF VIII ch
the safety OF their own section and that OF Union itself
may depend But while that the e.et,n
may be secured By counting the Abolition votes II ia At the
same lime may be lost If the consequence should
be the the loss Of the OF the sayehodng States and
hence the leaders forced attempt secure the former
without losing the latter The game Is n fcu one: bur
iheut as Is, they do despair Of success with The
/ VIII fbayh a.a
Ihey have, the FIRST place, the party press through
which mgny influence II eGerted over the publ opi
Mon The line OF policy adopted IT, for ;ho party press
u observe profound silence this great and vital
qusioni or, II they speak all. speak as to give
false direction To public opinion. Acting in conior-
Jniy 10 TINS policy u the leading organs nj the
seat OF Government, never alludes TO tho oues-
uon so that as far its remarks are concerned no
one could suppose hait the the least aga
ton Or feeling IN portion OF the Union The other
occasionally aIudes 10 IT, when II cannot well avoid doing
50; but only palaie the conduct those who asss s
oy cunlounung them with defenders as agitators
a"u hOuhs ooth up equally 10 public ccnsuIe IL j. cal
cuaied by pursuing this course the people of the
slave holding States will be kept quiet and in sate of in
uHeiehee unu another and still more powerful instrument
can be brought iniopay by which hoped that Slave
holders aud hbJuonisis will be coerced Join in nom
mating ard supporting the candidate for the Pfedcn
| g' auude TO what u called National Convenuou or
Caucus for nominating candidates for the Presidency and
'ce-ffesdoncy Already the machinery has been put in
m"uon IN order TO the Oldest most popuous
the saye.hodng Sates and doubt will in due senson
u
should 1t sueceed-shOud party machinery for Preside
making prove strong enough force the savo-holding
states TO lon 10 convention nominate and support
candidate VINO will be acceptable Aboluoniss they
VIII nave committed the most dal that people ever
pefpeuaiGd say acespabc loi IL clear that non
slave holding States will ouinumber m Convention the
slVshoiding and that no who acceptable TO tho
Aboons can receive their votes and, of course
votes a0d OF couc, tho votes OF the States whore they
hold he balance; and that other will be nominated Or
homnated bo elected And yet there are not fov 81, m
he sayc-h"idng Sotes, men Of standing and influence
blinded by party feeling the prospect Of personal gain or
ad Tanccment by the Of their party who advocate
scp which must prove 20 fatal 10 their portion Of the Un-
ion under existing rcumstance. Can party folly or ra.
| thor madno = % fsrtterl
A9 to myself have been oppotod 1, such Con.
venons because they irresponsible bodies known
10 the Constitution and because they in effect set asde
the Constitution with its compromises, reference 10 50
important subject as tho election OF the Chief Magistrate
Of tho Union. bold far safer and every way pefera.
be 10 leave the election whore tho Constitution has placed
n 70 the Electoral College choose and Il that tails 10
make choice to the House Of Representatives voting b,
Satcs to elect the President from the three