The daily union., 1852-09-18
Address to the wings Of massa chusett,.


citizens now assembled in Faneuil Hall, are about 10
take, is highly important one and should be taken upon
rendered reasons.
We are met here. most OF u.s. doubtless. as whizs not
unaeeonpanied, perhaps. BY some OF our democratic
friends, who sympahze with US in desire 70 do JUS
tee to great statesman, who is the property OF party,
bu who belongs, in high sense. equally 10 all SILL
The great body OF this assembly consists, undoubtedly OF
wings and II is therefore 10 our fellow wings that
chiefly TO submit what have TO say AT The
time. we canno forget that here also American
clizens, standing upon the soil OF free country, and
free 10 act according 10 our own convictions OF duty
The representatives OF the whig party. chosen such
according 10 its usages and assembled in national con
yentlon, have by very small majority made nomna-
ton OF distinguished officer OF the army for the pres
dency OF the United States and the hrst inquiry 10 be
made by US, members of that party. is. whether
in any Just bound vote for this candidate,
and for other II needs, in judgment, great
amount OF Argument to solve this question. Upon the
great general principle which our institutions rest
The majority TO rule and when the voice OF the
jory Is expressed in those forms which constitute the
enactment oi LaU, no man 90 behind IT, sbsolve
himself from It's obligations while he remains society
This principle is attempted 10 be applied by analogy to
s sGnss 81 parties S1 ;as
the DEGREES decisions OF body OF the aliyes
OF party in reference 10 the obligations which they m-
pose upon MEMBERS and the DEGREES Of the
representatives of the people, in reference TO the obga
lions which they impose upon the citizen. The former
cannot. In the nature OF things have tho force of law
because they do not rest upon It's sanctions They must
therefore, be referred Tor approval the judgment Of in
diydaals who are to receive and obey them according
10 their own CONVICTIONS OF their intrinsic propTety and
fitness to promote the public good.
We speak here OF course, OF the rule that s applicable
to the citizen who has taken part in initiating or con-
ducing the party proceedings which have led 10 par
hcular result What rule is applicable TO those who
have taken part in those proceedings we have now no
occasion TO inquire. We speak for those and 10 those
who stand free IRON such connection, but yet
bers OF the same party and we have no hesitation in
saying that the attempt which has been made 10 .orce
upon such persons obligation OF honor 10 support a
nomination which they may disapprove IA without .
shadow ~
Is IN NO sense conclusive upon the conduct of
all the members OF that party throughout the country
ceedings, nor tho fitness OF the candidate nominated,
could be inquired into The truth s that the act OF
majority OF the delegates in national party convention
is not the act OF majority of all the members Of the
party unless il is assumed that all are actually or techn
cay represented That all actually represented is
perfectly known Not quarter part OF the Of
great political party take part the proceedings
6y which the delegates to such body appointed ant
is one OF The easiest as it is of the common of
political % SAC ns. tor political especially
cure the appointment OF delegates. whose purposes to
the selection OF presidential candidate are no certain
sas sadi ~ e, G e 1s WISHES and 81
therefore, that the act OF majority of such delegates
the act OF majority OF the members of the party
rest upon the doctrine that all the members had notice.
and might have attended the choice of delegates il they
had seen ht-lha is to say, it rests upon fiction by
which every mans political conscience and conduct
become bound BY the acts and dongs Of his neghbor
For ourselves reject ~ doctrine We hold that the
decision Of majority OF the delegates in national con-
venton is not, OF ITSELF proof OF the sentiments and
wishes oil majority OF the party; and we think that
any who will ask himself whether he can believe
that majority Of the wings Of the United States this day
prefer General Scott a candidate to Daniel Webster
Mlard Fillmore will be satisfied with the soundness OF
our position We here then, in all the freedom OF
individual Judgments. In that freedom propose
to examine the nomination made Baltimore and TO re-
fer the action OF the convention which made il to The
only standard which recognisenamely its tendency
TO promote and secure the good Of the country
The convention assembled at Baltimore, it is 10 be
presumed for the purpose OF nominating that person for
the presidency in whom would be united high qaalihca
tons for the Office. with reasonable chances for cb,an
ing 1t by the surages Of the people This is the duty Of
party convention under merely ordinary circumstances
But on the occasion OF the late Whig National Conven
on the circumstances were peculiar and extraordinary
One of the candidates before that convention was con-
essedy the first statesman in America, then capable Of
being thought OF for the Office He person who
had rendered services of the utmost Importance TO bis
party On three several occasions he had supported with
the whole power OF his vast influence, rivals whose
claims 10 the nomination. except in instance, could
be supposed by no one 10 be superior 10 his But
above and beyond all this he had rendered his country
services which surpassed those to his party large
measure as country is greater than party TO every
men within the reach OF the whig party, not
~ TO adorn but most benehcally to administer the
high Office IN question; This was felt and acknowI-
edged everywhere by all candid persons The common
judgment oil the country. the current and admitted forms
OF Speech the general consent OF shrinking minds
had made his pre- eminent fitness for that great trust
maxim among men,. wide and confident expectation
among the OF the people, who had nothing gain
aud much TO lose by adverse political combinations look
ed TO the whg party in confidence that it would do the
justice TO the country. 10 itself. and TO Mr Webster
| put him in nomination.
The time was most proptous. Party anmosity had
died away before The signal merit OF services which chal
enged the equal admiration and gratitude OF friends and
opponents. Personal detracton, from the kennels
OF rabld faDatcism, had ceased TO pursue him Public
confidence respect, aecionaie admiration and pride,
versa appreciation OF the vast importance the country
OF his lie health, and happiness, broke forth him
wherever popular feeling had an opportunity OF express
vast good upon free country, and never such an
opportunity more unwonhily lost,
IL lost. are told. because a majority Of those
who sent TO the convention TO select candidate
preferred ese, and chose 10 exercise their pref
erences. We admit the fact but. as a portion OF the
people OF this country we clam and shall exercise the
right TO Judge OF the reasonabeness and propreiy OF
those preferences By whatsoever constituency each OF
those delegates appointed they all assembled 10
execute a public trust upon public motives great
party organization, like any other social insirumeD aliy,
trust in the hands OF those who bold TO be
ercsed and discharged upon motives which will bear the
test OF subsequent examination and submission to the
moral judgment OF mankind.
Mr.. Webster set aside in the National Conve ntion,
and General Scott preferred by a majority Of the
members-hrst. because the latter. being military man.
supposed to have gained great personal popularity by his
military believed TO be, in the language of
party ,aclicians, the available candidate We will
not do any member OF that convention the injustice
suppose that his preference determined BY belief
that the military candidate possessed superior fitness for
the office OF President The ruling motive in this
the same which two former occasions had led TO