The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-24
The Baltimore Csnventlen.

The approach Of. the Baltimore Conventio
admonishes all who wish to act and vote vi
derstandingly, to scrutinize their componen
parts, aud consider what course prudence an
policy ,3HNltAa each division of each party L
take. pgh the day has passed when thu
action Of stch bodies (never contemplated b,
the trainers of the Constitution, but in realit,
more potent than the legislative body,) wa
final, aud nomination was equivalent to al
election-yet they still possess sufficient powc
to render their action matter of the graves
import. Every body now understands the ma
chinery by which the friends OF particular aspi
rants smuggle their advocates into thes
bodies, and they know further that such assem-
blages often echo the voices Of the polti cian
only, not of the people. The appeal nov
through the press from the verdicts Of poi.ica
packed juries is easy sand even National Conven
tions have been taught the lesson that thei
business was not to manufacture opinion blu
faithfully to represent it. Their judgment il
not final, and it is not now regarded as higl
treason for party man to repudate nominee
whose principles or position render him un
worthy of the choice Still the recommends
ton Of such bodies as the two Baltimore Con-
ventions, must necessarily carry great weight
with them: and should both Conventions pass
off harmoniously-of which there are doubts
such nominations would secure the support Of
tho bulk Of the old parties respectively, provided
proper selections were made.
1t was our first intention to have remained
silent until after the meeting of the two Con
ventions, but recent developments have induced
US to alter that determination. Representing
a. is we'll known, large majority of the
Southern Democracy, with portion of the
Wing party, also distinguished for talent and in
duence, we feel it our duty at this stage of af
fairs to define our position--and theirs also
as we understand it. In doing this, we desiss
it to be distinctly understood that we do not
speak from the dictation nor echo the voice Of
any particular person or clique, but utter what
we believe and know to be the predominating
sentiment among our constituents--the State
Rights party-a party now holding in its hands
the destinies of all other parties, and the future
fate of this country. We expect to give offence
by the frankness with which we shall speak,
but "the truth must be our warrant" Lord
BAcoN's maxim, that man may have his hand.
tuii OF truth, yet chose but to open his little
hnger," may be the policy of"organship," but it
does not suit US, nor our readers, and therefore
we shall open our whole hand. These are no
times for trucking timidity or for trimming
politicians with mouths all agape for spoils and
The fruits of victory.
Al the Democratic Convention is the first to
look to in point of time, we confine our remarks
chiefly to its position and action. Contrasting
the published creeds of the Wing and Demo
cratic PARTIES we see that of the latter alone has
had any effect in restraining within bounds the
seton of the federal government. Stern and
harsh have its teachings seemed to many of it,
pupils--yet it has secured practical and i'm
portant resistance, even If with imperfect sue
cess, to the march of rapacity in practice, anc
OF consolidation in theory. No frank man car
deny that it has failed to accomplish its mission
In full--that in recent contests the Democratic
party, as party, has not been found arrayed in
full force against the insolence which introduced
into our national legislation distinctions, az un.
known 70 the Constitution as they are invidi
Gus, between the interests and institutions OF
the different portions of our confederacy. Yet
in this respect even, they stand in most favora.
bic contrast with the antagonist party IfNorth.
ern Democracy is not free from the faint o,
abolition, Northern Whiggery is becoming ut
terly corrupted by its embraces. 1t is not tc
be disguised that the great Democratic party il
now in danger of defeat and even of disband
mont In the cooperation of the State Right
party OF the South alone can it find hopes O
victory. We propose to examine what will b,
inc effects OF their standing aoof from the Dem
ocratic organization, what the results Of tbei
union with it, and upon hat terms, if any, thai
union ought to be concluded.
Ihe separation from the Democratic oroon;
zation Of the State Rights or Southern nartv
dooms the former to inevitable defeat. and mn.,
result either in the election of Scorr or the fail
ure to elect by the people. This fact ia to,
palpablc to require argument 1t stares in III,
face the most sanguine Democrats, and none 3,
blind ~ not to see it,
In the same event, whatever may be the actus
opinions Of General Scorr or his future polio,
cannot be gainsaid and must not be forgotte
tnat ms forces, under whatever banner the
may march, will have been recruited under tn
black flag of Anti. Slavery. To the supnort.r
Of that flag will enure the victory, and the cleo
ton Of ScorT will, in moral and political effsc,
prove not Wing, but an Abolition triumnb
Whether or not the fugitive slave law shall b,
actually repealed, or essentially modified, |. nep
impetus will have been given 10 agitation f.
tts overthrow and resistance to ito execution.
Northern candidate will have been elected
on issuss notoriously IL not avowedly sectional