The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-07-29
PITTSBURGH CoNvENroN-THE NOMINEES

der to lay before them some views which We
think worthy serious consideration. in regard
to the Platform and the Candidates to be pre-.
sented to the American people
What we have to suggest in relation to the
platform, will be found in another column. In
this article we shall speak of the candidates.
Two citizens have been named for the Pres
ldency both Senator'S and both fully commit
ted to the cause Of Freedom. We refer of
course to JoHN p. HALE and 5. p. CHASE.
Neither OF these gentlemen seeks the nomipa.
ton. Indeed, We are well assured that each
! prefers that the other should receivet. Under
these circumstances, no false delcacy should
restrain the free expression of opinion as to the
selection proper to be made.
1t is our opinion that Mr. HALE should be
the nominee. And these are our reasons
In lS47, Mr.. Hale was nominated for the
Presidency by the National Liberty Conven-
ton. He had been, in 1916, u Democratic
Representative in Congress from New Hamp-
shire Having in vain sought to amend the
resolutions for the Annexation of Texas, SO as
to secure to Freedom One-haf of the territory,
he had obeyed those convictions of duty which
required him to oppose the measure, now OPEN
! ly urged as a scheme for the Extension of sla-
very. For this, though already in nomination
Tor reelection, he had been repudiated by the
party leaders then, as now, favoring submits
sion to the behests of the Slave Power but
had been triumphantly sustained by the pEo-
PIE, and elected as an Independent Democrat,
to the Senate of the United States This was
his position when he received and accepted the
Liberty nomination
In 1913, the great question of Slavery Ex-
tension convulsed party organizations, and
threatened them with total dissolution The
Buffalo Convention assembled and thought best
to nominate Martin Van Buren, as the candi.
date OF the opponents of Slavery Extension
and nationalzed slavery
Mr.. HALE promptly acquesced in this ac
ton, and gave to Mr.. Van Buren, his hearty
support
The following resolution, offered 10y b. f.
! BUTLER of New York, and unanimously adopt
ed by the Buffalo Convention amid shouts of
applause, shows how Mr. HALE's magnani
nous action was appreciated.
" Res0iued, That John p Hale, of New Hamp-
shire, by his iearlessness, fidelity, and ability,
as SENATOR and the readiness, disinterested-
ness and patriotism, with which he placed him.
self though candidate already in nomina-
ton, ut the disposal of the Convention has en-
titled himself to the lasting gratitude of the
friends of Human Rights and the great cause OF
true Democracy"
From that time to this Mr. HALE has con-
tinued the same bold, faithful, liberty-loying
Democratic Senator, and from that time to
this, the regards of the Lovers of Liberty have
more and more strongly concentrated upon him
as the candidate of the Independent Democracy
in 1852. To this obvious general preference
great Difference should be paid by the Convcn-
ton Let the delegates of the Compromise De-
mocracy, if they will set aside the choice of
the people and rely on party discipline to coercc
| acquescence in the nomination of candidates
dictated by the Slave Power but let the Con.
ventOn of the Independent Democracy give
honest expression to the wishes of the people
The nomination of Mr.. CHASE has been
urged by some as more likely than MIR. HALE's
to result in the defeat of Gen. Pierce whose
election is regarded by many as more danger
Gus to freedom than that of Gen SCoTT. But
considerations of this sort are entitled to little
weight MIR. CHASE, we are sure, would not
consent to receive II nomination with any such
views We happen TO be pretty well acquaint-
ed with his sentiments on this head, and we know
that he desires above all things that the Pitts
burgh Convention may boldly claim for them
selves and their constituency, as their first
right, the name of 'fHE INDEPENDENT DEMoc-
RACr, rs distinguished, on the one side from
the Compromise Democracy, and, on the other
side, from Whiglsm; that they may then pro-
coed to frame wisely-constructed Platform of
just, liberal and Democratic principles and
measures and that they may nominate candi-
dates fit to represent their platform before the
people without ut all inquirng what effect
their action will have upon this or that party
or this or that candidate la this view, we
think, he is entirely right
But is it at all certain that Mr.. CHAsE's
nomination would prejudice the nominees of
the Compromise Democracy more than Mr.
HALE's! Mr.. HALE, rs well Us MIR. CHASE, il
a Democrat The organization of his friends
in New Hampshire, when first separated from
that portion of the Democracy which chose to
submit to the demands of the Slave Power
was designated as the Independent Democracy,
and the paper first established to assert their
cause and which has continued, to this day, its
energetic and faithful advocacy of Freedom and
Right, was and is called "7he Independent Dem
ocrdt IT. then, Mr. HALE shall be nominated
and the Platform formed as already suggested,
what reason is there for supposing that he will
not draw as largely from the Compromise De-
mocracy as Mr. CHASE would
For these reasons we are of opinion that the
Pittsburgh Convention should nominate Mr.
HALE for the Presidency. Mr.. CHASE we know,
cordially concurs in this view He is not u
candidate for the nomination nor does he de-
| sire It,
For the Vice Presidency several distinguish.
cd gentlemen have been named among them
Mr.. GIDDISGs, Mr., LEWIS Judge SPALpINe,
Col Clay and Mr., BLAEFi. OF these, the