The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-19
its labors." That was an opinion, we take
1T, not circumstance.


htical excitement-perhaps, indeed, at any
period-either by the concentration of pub
lie opinion or by the diffusion Of nforma-
ton, can lead to any useful plan of action"
That was matter of belief, not circum-
stance. The amount of it is, that the
General does not think much of conven-
tons, except, perhaps, those which meet
at Baltimore to select candidate for the
Presidency, and then only when they hap
pen to hit on the right man.
Again Z" Invited, as the members of
that convention were, from every portion
of the Union, the sphere of operations was
far too extensive for wise and cautious
deliberation and decision. There were
too many interests involved" This is no
circumstance. tits intended for reason
ing, and very funny reasoning it seems to
us. Colonel BENTON will yet have to
perform the operation of " cutting for the
simples" on a certain gentleman of our
acquaintance, if he discourses much in
this fashion. We have only to carry out
the argument of the General to its legiti-
mate and inevitable conclusions, to demon
strate the impossibility of maintaining our
republican Government over territory
like that of the United States. What
would the General have desired? Would
the convention have pleased him better
if its members had not been called from all
quarters Of the country' Would he have
gone to Chicago, if the convention had been
local and sectional instead of being national!
But what does he mean by the notion of
there being "too. many interests in
volved! Were there any more interests
involved than are contemplated by all the
legislation of the Congress of the United
States?
Once more: eff general propositions
only are to be laid down in such conven-
ton, the object is not worth the effort
for, in the divided state of the public
mind upon the question, whatever plat
form might be adopted, the opinion of par
ties, and generally Of individuals, would
remain the same" 1t is little strange
that gentleman who embraced, with ex-
IRENE heartiness and cordiality, the very
general propositions of the Baltimore Con-
vention of 1848, should entertain a sove-
reign contempt for all such matters. Gen
eral CAss seems to be coming over to the
WING ground on the subject of platforms;
but it will be seen that he has not reached
the first circumstance" that prevented
him from going to Chicago. The above
sentence involves a deduction from pre-
mises-it does not state a circumstance.
1t demonstrates, in way not very logical,
the absurdity of platforms-and Baltimore
platforms are not excepted. We hope that
the friends of the General will not again
object the want of platform to the
Philadelphia Wing Convention of 1S4s.
The General proceeds:
eff general plan of operations is to be proposed
and pressed upon Congress, the objections are pal
pabe and grave. The members under little re-
sponslblty; and as each section Of the country
will have its own objects to attain, these must be
attained by concessions TO the objects of others, and
the result will furnish evidence of mutual spirit Of
accommodation, rather than cautious regard for
the general interest. Such assemblage is a very
different thing from the attempt TO concentrate
opinion and action in favor of any improvement
affecting particular portion of the Union, where
there is a community of information and interest,"
and where there Is no weighing of one project
against another, nor any sacrifices to insure the de-
sired result.
"And am fully confirmed in my previous anti
cipations concerning the Chicago Convention.
imagine the first man is yet TO be found who will
venture to say that any advantage has resulted from
its labors.
" But had yet another reason for declining TO
attend that convention. did not like its origin
The earliest notice Of il which saw connected
with the names Of some weknown Wings, promi-
nent politicians Of the city Of New York and
believed, and have yet no reason TO doubt, that
one great object to njure the Democratic party
by taking advantage Of the excitement which pre-
vailed in certain portions Of the country in
quence Of the failure Of two successive internal
Improvement bills. And have since understood,
though cannot vouch for the fact, that such was
the actual nention and that the proceedings of the
convention would have assumed party character,
and been directed to this object, had not the design
been frustrated by the frmness Of the Democratic
members.
Now, Mr.. Greeley will understand why did
not attend this convention"
Not only will Mr.. GREELEY understand
why General CAss did not attend the con-
vention; the public will understand it.
He does not like national conventions, in
general. He disliked the Chicago Con-
vention, particularly. He was afraid that
it would have bad political effect on the
Locofoco party because that party was
understood to be hostile to the measures
and policy which that convention was