Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-12-27
RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
WEDNESDAY MoRN1NG DEoEMnER as.
THE RICHMOND WHIG AND THE NATIONAL
r0NyCNTI0N


THE RICHMOND wHIG AND THE NATIONAL
CONVENTION.
almost tho only welcome with which the
concentrations, contained in Governor Foyds spe
cia message, received by the Richmond Whg II Is
altogether surprising that should have opened
s batteries the proposed Convention. Il would indeed
have afforded for amazement II paper which has
placed itself In uniform and direct opposition the rights of
the South and the interests Of tho Southern States had
cordially supported any which calculated 10
tabsh those rights and those interests at the time that
presented the only satisfactory and ecacious of
preserving the Union unshaken The Whg Is ordinarily
sluggish In the comprehension OF any subject and cary
of being detected In the expression of original or nde
pendent opinion that might have suspected II had
ceved its orders from Washington the present OCCASION
II unluckily member Of the Legislature, Democrat
who gave a side-wipe In his speech, had not
kindly oicated fugeman TO the Whig We un-
dersand that the trading politicians at Wash-
ington are endeavoring this time stlHe the pre-
discussion Of the slavery question: thereby ensuing
pepetuaton and nggravaon of all the of
iiona difficulties and rendering chmecal the hope OF any
ultimate arrangement of the subjects of discomfort II the
Whg Is disposed sacrifice the South any snch move
men and the hazard of all Southern and of all
tiona interests make political capital for its party out Of
the proposed Union Convention do Indeed regret
csedngy for had hoped that the salvation Of the Union
might have been permitted for time TO take precedence of
all party schemes which require its perpetuaon in
der TO furnish them with sufficiently extensive theatre
But notwithstanding the endorsement OF i,s Democratic
ally in the House. Il would be easy show the Wh that If
this proposal Is made party question at ALL it must even
tua,e In the ruin of the Whlgs nasmuch will
cessltae their complete Identification with the Aboonists
Of the North We refrain from doing at presen,,a
regard the Governors recommendation strictly national
measure addressing itself not 10 political party bit 10 all
the friends Of peace, order and Union; and We do not
the hope and The conviction that will be regarded
BY the patriotic Of the people, In every section of the
country, Notwithstanding the hostile attitude of lh Whig
and the anomalous position ofs solitary Democratic friend
10 the House.
We cannot conce-e that other OF these seEcorstitued
oaces comprehends either the the contemplated
eHec. of the Convention proposed II would exclude the
slavery question from the class of legitimate weapons Of
party warfare; would unite the influence and the interests
OF both great parties In the suppression of tho slavery ag
taon /, would bring the batteries of both bsar with
crushing effect upon the aboonss Whichsoevermgh, be
for the time the dominant power would refuse any onger
pamper with Federal pap the reasonable faction which Is
undermining the Constitution dsorganizing the confede
racy and rendering the continuance OF the Union impossible
The abolition party has grown and Is still nuriurd by the
price paid for It's yors by both the great parties OF the
but have thrown sops Cerberus otg that he
hreatens the destruction Of both his beneat:os and
he opens his wide jaws to enguph tho Union BY uniting
both parties in favor of the exclusion of slavery from po
cal egation further encouragement would be denied the
aboitionss and the the temptations Of p,ce
withdrawn from their prurient philanthropy, their ranks
would be thinned and their leaders would sink back into
their original obscury and insgnifcance The dssnslons
of the South and the brbes offered to faction and anacism
by both the Whg and Democratic parties have given
sion the present perous condition of the country but
security and tranquility may be restored bu this only by
uniting the forces Of both parties and The patriotism OF the
Of the people, against the efforts Of abolition and pro-
scribng the agitation of the slavery question altogether
This only be effected through the nsumsnaliy OF a
National Convention which would be or less efficient
in proportion the funess Of the representation In it, and
the wisdom displayed in It's organization The details Of It's
construction would be left and left by Governor Floyd
the State Legislatures and State authorities and would
depend especially upon the outline which might be furnished
by the Legislature Of Virginia. to which offered the ina
tive In tho noble work Of saving the Union. If there Is
either craftsmanship patriotism In that body-if there s
capacity TO understand the importance and the possibilities
OF the occasion-they will sumber petty objects
and their time in cavng petty points, but they
will promptly devise and cordially adopt tho necessary
for ensung favorable organization Of the National
Convention, and happy and ehcacous result OF It's DELI
beratons.
The call for this National Convention 4, in exac, and
monous accordance with the hrs message of the Govern
or only gives definite form and practicable shape the
views contained In that document The entire cessation Of
the slavery agitation before proposed by him the u
timatum Of the South. The sole available
offered the recognition and universal acceptance
of that ultmatum. There progress fatigue inelecs
Of The weakest wing The views which in the first
paper had been necessarily indicated In general terms,
in the second presented In direct, practical prop
oson Neither Is there any inconsistency has been
pretended between the proposed Convention and the non
intercourse laws previously recommended They both
template the end, and they seek 10 attain by the
combination of The concurrence Of influences al
ways orhes and cxpcdes action especially when large and
differently constituted be moved for what is
the strongest motive man. Is not adequate induce
ment to another The Governors recent recommendation
appeals to the patriotism of all the States; but tha, appeal
rendered much efficient by Identifying the patriotism Of
the onslaveholdng States with their INTEREST," for past
experience should assure US that the love of country s In
Northern attitudes, synonymous with the love OF dollar
AS selfnterest Is the natnspng OF human action-we
borrow from tho Wing one TRUTH albeit ruismany other
pacIHcaory measures which may be adopted, will be aten
ded with moro reasonable hopo of success just In proper
ton they accompanied and aided By tho agumsntum
ad This 10 what Is proposed by the union Of
ne TWO MODES OF octOn requires
hond nor any other of hound follow the progress
of this argument II the and the recommenda-
lions only comprchended and thoy are perspicuous
enough both inconsistency and humbug vanish from the
Governors message perch upon the standards Of Its
sailants.
But suggested on side that Congress already pre-
sents National Convention end the other that any Ma
tonal Convention which might be called could only be COM
posed of fagmentay representation OF the feelings OF the
North and hence must be necessarily Inadequate II the
6rs suggestion valid objection would be fatal to any
Convention for any purpose whatever But Congress has
many and diverse subjects attend oho engossng
OF which the election of Presidents and the appropria
tion and distribution Of spolls. The National Convention
that would be called would be harrassed with such
multiplicity and diversity OF subjects ,- would be rsstric
ted to action and deberaon In regard TO one certain pc
cited question: for the attainment Of deermnae and spe
Gifted end II would be composed Of both political parties
o. such portion Of both might be disposed to do justice
and act honestly for the salvation of the Union There
would be no spos distract their delbsraon and prove
the golden apples Of dscord s members Tho manuac
ture OF Presidents would also be forbidden fruit The debs
-,,Iono ,f ,he Convention would ha a aInpe