The republic., 1851-08-08
From The albany (N. ID Register.
Union OF the WING Party.


assembled in this city last Thursday, and adj
journed last Saturday. The result of their pro-
tracted sittngs will be found in the call they
have jointly signed for Wing State Conven-
tion, 10 be held. at Syracuse the seventeenth
day Of September next. IL was obvious from the
first that if the several committees did nothing
more than agree upon the time and place Of hold
ing a State Convention, and announce the fact
by uniting in call, very little would be done
to ward concentrating the union that all desired,
provided it could be effected on honorable terms.
Such call would have indicated good feeling,
but would have settled point Of difference.
Il might be considered truce but nothing more.
Each branch Of the Whig party-to adopt met
aphor unhappily too common in our partisan Ian
guage-wouid have rested on its arms ready TO
wage hostltles II, by any accident, union should
be prevented at the convention. To leave any
thing TO chance was incurring great hazard.
All know how uniavorable nominating conven-
ton, with the usual multiplicity of candidates and
candidates friends, Is to candid comparison,
calm discussion, and just settlement of conflicting
opinions. For settling every thing no time was
considered more favorable than the present. IL
was fair to presume that the members of the seve
raj committees were fully advised of the senu-
ments of their constituents, well informed in re-
gard to the great public questions that had caused
existing differences. and animated by sincere de-
sire to promote the good OF their party and
country.
The time, too, was favorable for calm deliberate
consideration Neither the State nor National Le-
gisature was in session. no topic of extraordinary
mind was unusually tranquil in regard TO the acts
and measures that had caused all the differences,
and il was justly believed that, if the gentlemen
composing the committees, by giving their entire
attention to the work of reconciliation, could not
effect it. the work could not be done at all. and that
hereafter the division among Wings would be COM
plete with all its disastrous consequences, in the
State and nation. AS we said, on Thursday last,
every consideration invited to harmony, not truce
mercy, but bona fde peace; and in order that
there might be no mistake or misunderstanding
hereafter about the terms OF union, 1t was necessary
that they should be fully and clearly defined, and
that the platform which the united party is to
occupy should be expressed in the call for the
convention. IL was something unusual for COM
mittees to exercise this power, we confess, but
the circumstances in which they were placed
not only justified such action on their part,
but rendered it imperative. The declaration of
principles put forth by the committees we have en-
tire confidence will be approved with great, If not
entire, unanimity by the Wings of New York. 1t
would be very strange il it did not fail to satisfy
few extremists in each branch of the party-men
who have allowed passion personal feeling, or pre-
judice to control their judgment; but the great
majority will read and say, g Well done. This is
good Whig doctrine, to which we can all sub
scribe" In framing this declaration, the commit
tees have had difficult part to perform. union,
to be worth any thing, TO be substantial and perma
nent, must be on terms that will allow the parties
it to preserve their honor and self respect Con-
cessions involving no vital principles can and
should be made.
been formed. Neither has sacrificed what was es
sential, and both have gained. 1t is not union
patched up to subserve merely temporary pur
poses, to be dissolved when those exigencies
to exist but ia based enduring principles. 1t
has, will be seen, direct and powerful bearing
upon some of the most agtating questions of the
day, but has this bearing by bringing those ques-
tions under the influence Of general principles
This is the only mode of dealing with great
questions. We have allowed ourselves to be dis
turbed altogether too much by dwelling upon sim
gle isolated questions, without reference to the
great principles OF constitutional obligation, which
are paramount to any other consideration.
The four fret propositions relating to the econ
omical administration OF the Government, the
strict accountability of public officers, the improve
ments of harbors and rivers, and the necessity OF
tariff that shall sustain the industry OF the coun-
try, Wings have always and everywhere supported.
The next avows opposition TO the subjection OF
any territory of the United States free, to laws
imposing involuntary servitude. On this point we
presume there is no difference of opinion. In no
territory of the United States, free, slavery
legally exist, except by virtue OF laws passed or ap
before the public nor likely to be While enunciat-
ing theviews ON this point Of the Whigsof New York,
the committees, in behalf of those they represent,
declare that they "anqSaMncdly aoknowieogs 60 .ne
cipal institutions in such manner it's people may
deem most conducive to their safety and happiness
without interference, directly or indirectly, by
citizens of other States subjects of other coun-
tries'' This, while discountenancing in the strong
est and most emphatic manner any agitation in
regard to slavery as it exists, reafirms the prin-
cipe that governed in the admission OF California;
namely that no test in regard to slavery shall be
prescribed to any State demanding, properly in all
other respects, admission into the Union. Iteaves
to the people of States the absolute power Of al
lowing excluding slavery as they shall elect
The next proposition is the unreseryed, unquali-
fed declaration that the Wings of this State will
abide by the Constitution of the United States in
all it's parts, and will receive it's true meaning and
Il 4 u. n
of language could make this declaration more
clear or explicit. 1t ia honorable to the Wings of
New York, and we have no doubt will be faith
fully observed. The obligation of obedience to
clared constitutional by the judicial tribunals, is
affirmed in equally clear and emphatic terms. In
recognising this duty, the Wings of New York
claim citizens the right to discuss the expedi-
ency OF such laws and the propriety OF any of their
provisions, and to seek, by constitutional means.
their modification repeal. But while claiming
this, they make the important proviso that the
rights shall be exercised ''sDih full and mutual
regard for the rights and interests Of all parts of the
Contederacy phich is necessary noW TO maintain,
as IL Indispensable TO acievs, the blessed Union
of these States
we have italicsed this proviso that it may re.
ceve the attention it merits. The call of the com
mittees is not partisan address. 1t is declara-
ton of the principles that, in their view, should
constitute the creed of their party, not put forth
merely for the time, but to endure There is in it,
therefore, no specific reference to particular ques
tons measures that have agitated the public
mind; but it would be afiectation to deny that re-
ference is here meant to the adjustment measures
of the last Congress In reference to them, the
principles laid down by the committees are those
ior which we have contended. They claim the
rights of freemen. but rebuke sectionalism and ag
taton. 1t will not be endured by any free, high
spirited people, to say they shall not discuss the pro-
priety expediency of particular law. This right
will be claimed and exercised. But when the people
so claiming declare their determination TO abide
by the Constitution in all its parts when they de-
clare that they will implicitly obey all constitu-
tional laws, when they affirm that in any discus
sion they will have regard for the rights and inte
rests OF all parts of the Confederacy referring at
the same time TO the forbenrance and concessions
by which ''lhe blessed Union of these States
consummated by the adoption of the Constitution;
and in the next paragraph "condcm all attempts
to resist, defeat, render Intellectual any laws
passed by constitutional majorites,'' and pledge
''a patriotic acquiescence in such aws'' they give
the strongest possible assurances OF their devoted
regard for the Union, and determination to do
thing that shall weaken the fraternal bonds that
hold US together
The eulogiums upon the National and State ad-
ministrations and the confidence in them for the
c,.I t., -