The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-21
PUBLIC OPINION.
From Ms Buffalo (N. Y.) Commercial Adcrtiscr.
Striking Contrast.


Striking Contrast.
very marked distinction ID observable IN the
spirit which has been manifested in the different
Whig Conventions lately held throughout the State,
as the respective friends Of Mr.. FILLMORE or Cen
eral SCOTT have been in the ascendant. The
former, animated by n sincere desire to promote
the best interests Of the Wing party Of the Union,
and confidently believing that those interests will
be best subscrved by the nomination Of MiLLARp
FILLMORE the standard bearer of that party in
the approaching campaign, have unhesitatingy
expressed their desire that on him should fall the
choice Of the Baltimore Convention. But they
have at the same time invariably and distinctly
signfcd their willingness to support the nomi-
nee of tho party, be he whom he may; and
their readiness to sacrifice their personal prefer
ence {, the will of the majority, should such
prove hostile TO their choice. In the speeches
they have made, and in the resolutions they have
adopted, they have uncquivocally declared their
approval of the policy of the present Administra-
ton, their admiration of Mr.. Fillmore's charac
ter and their confidence in his integrity; but
they have also found space for respectful notice
of other candidates; and have in every instance,
even where absolute power was in their hands,
especially acknowledged the merits of General
Scott, and recognised his claims upon the nation.
x VI
National Wing spirit, which, disrcgarding men,
looks only TO principles; which knows no sectional
distinctions, no personal jeaousies; which plants
itself upon platform broad enough to hold every
Wing from Maine to CALIFORNIA; spirit which
eminently distinguishes Nlillard Fillmore and the
brilliant statesmen who cluster around his Admin
istration.
We wish sincerely that this picture had no re-
verse, and that all who profess and call themselves
Wings, whatever their personal preferences, were
animated by the same liberal spirit, and inhu-
enced by the same honorable principle. But what,
we ask has been the course OF lhe professed friends
OF General Scott, in too many Instances, when they
have gained the control of convention? Adolf.
tionlsin, anti-rentism, and personal malignIty
have been suffered 10 riot, an' to libel and dis
grace the Wing party OF the State. The proceed
ings have been ruled by corrupt journals, incom-
petent or dishonest ex- officials and disappointed
place hunters, and their hatred against the Exc
cutive and the National Wing party has been freely
indulged. Wherever indignty or an insult
could be offered to Mr. Fillmore the occasion has
been greedily seized and improved, and malcvo-
lence has done it's worst 10 lower the character and
darken the prospects OF the W hig party This is
no overdrawn or extravagantly colored picture,
il can be recognised in the publish ID proceedings
and the recorded action OF more than one con
vention.
We have heard il hintod that the pretended sup
porters of General Scott in this Satc--the Seward
abolitionists-in reality desire the defeat Of the
man whose cause they profess to espouse, and the
destruction Of the Wing party. We should be
very avcrse 10 believe tins trcachery prevails to
any great extent; but III some instances we have
no doubt il is strictly true. How can account
for the suicidal course of these pretended Wings
Can we believe that they soblind rs TO imagine
that the best method to secure the triumph OF the
party, and TO promote the success Of their Candl-
date, ia by insulting the great body of the Wings
of the Union and awakening feelings Of personal
animosity aud bitterness in the breasts OF large
number Of their political brethrene Is il TO be
credited that they can Gecm General Scots nom
inatou and ultimate success are 10 bc gained 10y
display Of rancorous i'll feeling toward n Whig
high in the estimation vi the people AS Millard Fill
more, and by an attempted alienation OF the per
soual fricnds of the President from the candidate
they pretend 10 uphold! Such suppCeilons might
be entertained against a set of political tyros mad
dened by jealousy and hatred, but viii scarcely bc
acknowledged IN the case of willy politicians whose
plotting craft might "send the learned Machiayel
10 school"
similar distinction. We regret 90 say. is OBJ
scryablc in the coursc Of many Of those Journals
whose support ia given 20 the two candidates ve,
have named. While tn &C papers which advocate
MIR. Elllmore's nomination arc among the warm
cst of General Scotrs admirers, and unani-
NOUS in their promises Of support Tor the nominee
VI the Nalional Convention, the abolition portion
Of the Whig prcss lose no opportunity OF rcviing
the friends of Mr.. Fillmore, filling their columns
day after day with attacks upon the President and
all Ills supporters. In view of promoting the har
mony Of the party, they devote their time 10 a
ribald abuse OF those whom the party have dc
against tbree-io Of the Whigs of the Union,
Now appeal 10 the sober good sense of our
follow Mhigs 10 say whether by such means We
can expect to induce our friends 10 rally nd
common banner, and ~ march on TO victory. Is
IL IN human nature to suppose that every man pOs-
scsses sufficient scl-contrUl and Inagnanimity 20
fight side by side aud shoulder 10 shoulder with
men whose efforts previously TO the battle have
been insidiously directed towards the injury Of
their own cdmradcsi With traitors spnnkled
through the ranks and sprcsdcrs Of dissonson
quaricrcd in tho camp s it 10 be expected that the
troops, gallant as they may be, will march on in
solid phalanS and With eager spirit so plant the
Whig banner in triumph on the Capitol Is IL not
rather 10 lie feared that, doubtful OF the comrades
at their sdCs, dspiritcd by the knowledge Of the
pcriidy VI portion 0l the troops, smarting under
a sense Of insplis and wrongs, they will srikc
wish feeble and uncertain hands, and suffer their
glorious banner to trail in the dust? We offer
these remarks in good faith 10 the consideration Of
the true friends of the Nhig cause, under what.
ever standard they may rally; ard We trust that
the honest supporters of General scott will receive
them in good part, and exert thcmsclvcs 90 check
and rcbukc that display OF pcrsond maligniy
towards prominent Whigs which cannot TAIL 90 in
jurc most seriously the prospects o! thc worthy can
dfdaie hose interests tic maligran bcllers false
ly pretend 10 support